Phone: (978) 468-7111 ext.4243
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2006
Expertise: Old Testament Studies, Near Eastern Archaeology
Biography:
Dr. Petter’s scholarly output reflects his pluri-disciplinary approach to the world of the Old Testament. He has written on matters of ethnicity in ancient tribal societies, the doctrine of justification in Isaiah, and OT exegesis. He directs the Study Seminar Israel-Jordan, a 15-day on site immersion in the history, archaeology and landscapes of the land of the Bible (we call it “3-D Exegesis”). In the classroom he is passionate about connecting the dots from ‘text to sermon.’ He recently completed the Nehemiah commentary in the NIV Application Commentary series on Ezra-Nehemiah (2020; his wife Donna Petter wrote Ezra). Current projects include a major study on the Promise of Zion in Isaiah, and the publication of a weekly devotional (The Road to Jerusalem, 2021).
Dr. Petter’s heart and passion is for the Church. As the Senior Pastor of Trinitarian Congregational Church, Wayland (an historic church in Boston’s metro-west), he loves to disciple (and be discipled by) the congregation through the Word and community. He views his primary call as “equipper and sender” so that congregants, staff, interns and lay leaders feel empowered to fulfill their Gospel calling. Like so many, he prays fervently for revival in New England.
When Drs. Petter served in YWAM in the 80’s and early 90’s, he and Donna co-lead the School of Biblical Studies in both Kona and Honolulu in Hawaii. They also pioneered the program in French-speaking Togo, West Africa. They continue to teach regularly in the SBS in Lakeside, Montana. While the dream is to move back one day to either Kona or Lakeside (or on the shore of his native Lac Léman, Switzerland), for the time being he is delighted to call home the town with the coolest Zip Code, Sudbury MA 01776.
Degrees
- B.A. (University of the Nations)
- M.A.R., M.A. (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
- M.A. (University of Toronto)
- Ph.D. (University of Toronto, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations)
Publications
- “Nehemiah” in Worship in the Old Testament. Edited by Benjamin Forrest et al. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, forthcoming.
- Ezra-Nehemiah (co-written with Donna L. Petter). The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, forthcoming.
- The Land Between The Two Rivers: Early Israelite Identities in Transjordan. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2014.
- “The Meaning of Substitutionary Righteousness in Isaiah 53:11: A Summary of the Evidence.” TJ 32 (2001): 165-189.
- “Arad.” Pages 39-41 in Dictionary of Old Testament: Historical Books. Edited by H.G.M. Williamson and Bill T. Arnold. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2005.