Matthew Skinner joined Luther Seminary’s faculty in 2002, having earned his Ph.D. in biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he had previously completed his M.Div. and served as a teaching fellow and visiting lecturer. In 1990 he received his A.B. degree magna cum laude, with a concentration in philosophy, from Brown University. Since joining the seminary’s faculty, he has conducted advanced research at the Center of Theological Inquiry as a member-in-residence and a writing fellow.

Skinner’s teaching experience covers the full range of the New Testament canon. His courses focus on the original, ancient settings and circumstances surrounding the creation and preservation of biblical writings as well as how this literature continues to be experienced and interpreted in congregations and other public venues.

Much of Skinner’s published work focuses on the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the cultural realities displayed in these writings, and their ongoing theological relevance. He is the author of three books on Acts, a three-volume introduction to the books of the New Testament, and several books designed to lead individuals and small groups deeper into their study of the Bible.

He has contributed to various resources for scholars, church leaders, and laypeople interested in the Bible’s connections to faith and life, including The Oxford Handbook of Christian Homiletics, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology, Theological Bible Commentary, Connections: A Lectionary Commentary Series, EnterTheBible.org, and Covenant Bible Study.

He has written extensively about the Bible for websites including Working Preacher, Huffington Post, and ON Scripture—The Bible. He has co-hosted over 1000 episodes of Sermon Brainwave, a popular weekly podcast that offers assistance to preachers as they interpret biblical texts to prepare their sermons.

Ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Skinner also serves as the Scholar for Adult Education at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, where he works with the church’s leadership in developing offerings for educational ministry. He frequently teaches about the New Testament, early Christian history, and preaching at conferences, retreats for church leaders, on college and seminary campuses, and in congregations.