Rev. Dr. Philip W. Penhallegon

Dr. Philip Penhallegon is professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and chairman of the Department of Exegetical Theology.

His areas of interest include the books of Esther and Nehemiah, and biblical Hebrew and Greek.

A member of Concordia Seminary’s faculty since 2020, Penhallegon earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biblical studies from Concordia Seminary in 2012. His dissertation was entitled “Presenting Himself as an Approved Worker: The Narratological Function of the Prayers in the Book of Nehemiah.” He earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary in 1998 and his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in communication from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Mich. (now Concordia University, Ann Arbor) in 1991.

He was a guest instructor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Concordia Seminary from 1999–2000. In 2004, he joined the faculty of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. (CUAA), and taught biblical languages and Bible content. While teaching at CUAA, he won an award twice for academic rigor and challenge (2015–16 and 2018–19) and an award for teaching excellence and campus leadership (2009–10).

In addition to teaching, he has served for more than 15 years as a parish pastor. He was the sole pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minn., from 2000–04. He also served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milan, Mich., from 2007–19 as pulpit supply, vacancy pastor and then pastor.

He has published articles in various journals and theological resources, including “Seelsorger,” “Concordia Journal,” “Concordia Theological Journal” and “Concordia Pulpit Resources.” He has lectured at conferences around the United States and appeared on the radio programs “The Gospel for You” and “Issues, Etc.” He published the Bible study “Esther: For Such a Time as This” in the “God’s Word for Today” series (Concordia Publishing House, 2008) and is developing the Esther volume of the “Concordia Commentary Series” with Concordia Publishing House.

Penhallegon has served as chair of the Society of Concordia Theological Faculties and currently is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society of Biblical Literature and the Society of Concordia Theological Faculties.

Penhallegon enjoys camping, bicycling and reading mystery novels. His wife, Gretchen, is a teaching assistant in the Kirkwood School District in Kirkwood, Mo. They have four adult children, Benjamin, Micah, Gabriel and Abigail.

Interests:

Book of Esther
Book of Nehemiah
Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Greek