Rev. Dr. James W. Fickenscher

Dr. James Fickenscher is assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He joined the faculty in 2024.

He previously served as associate pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, School and Early Learning Center in McAllen, Texas (2017-24).

Fickenscher earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (2022) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) (2012) from Concordia Seminary. In 2008, he received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, graduating from The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson where he also was a Eugene McDermott Scholar (2004).

Fickenscher served as a guest instructor at Concordia Seminary (2013-16, 2023-24); adjunct faculty at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. (2022-24); and adjunct faculty at Concordia University, Portland, Ore. (2014-15, 2017-18), teaching faith, Greek, Hebrew, New Testament, Old Testament and Scripture courses.

His areas of interest include New Testament Greek syntax and linguistics, hermeneutics of the New Testament, the intersection of biblical studies and mental health, the Pauline Corpus and especially the letters of Timothy and Titus.

He served as a periodicals research assistant at Concordia Seminary (2013-17), where he received the Reverend Marvin E. Kuhlmann Homiletics Endowment (2011-12).

Fickenscher is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Evangelical Theological Society. He has presented to both organizations on New Testament Greek Linguistics and the Pastoral Epistles and has led workshops at Concordia Seminary and to local circuits on applying Greek study to pastoral ministry.

His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, engaging a good story and working on various kinds of puzzles.

Fickenscher and his wife, Rachel, have two children.