Introduction
Dr John de Jong teaches Old Testament, Hebrew, and Biblical Interpretation, and leads postgraduate theology programmes. With cross-cultural experience lecturing in Myanmar and serving in pastoral ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand, John integrates academic excellence with practical ministry. He also serves on editorial boards and represents Māori perspectives in biblical studies.
Quote
“I aim to help students engage deeply with Scripture, understanding both its original context and its transformative implications for mission and ministry today.”
Something Personal
John lives with his wife Rebecca and four children in the Waitākere Ranges. A trained builder, he enjoys woodworking, home projects, and supports the All Blacks and Black Caps.
Qualifications
PhD (Theology), AUT, 2016
MTS (Theological Studies, Distinction), BCNZ / Laidlaw College, 2004
BMin, BCNZ / Laidlaw College, 1998
Professional Experience
Head of Theology & Senior Lecturer, Laidlaw College (2018–present)
Pastoral ministry, Lincoln Road Bible Chapel (1998–2002)
Lecturer, Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (2005–2017)
Journal Essays
Edited Books
2020 John de Jong and Csilla Saysell (eds.) Holding Forth the Word of Life: Essays in Honor of Tim Meadowcroft. ACT Monographs (Wipf and Stock: Eugene, 2020).
2018 Csilla Saysell and John de Jong (eds.) Essays in Recognition of the Retirement of Rev Dr Timothy Meadowcroft. Pacific Journal of Baptist Research 13(2) (2018).
Book Chapters
2024 John de Jong and Allan Bell, “The Application of Bakhtin’s Incorporated Genre in Biblical Studies.” Pages 424-443 in The Literary–Linguistic Analysis of the New Testament: The Enduring Legacies of Russian Formalism and the Prague Linguistic Circle. Edited by Stanley E. Porter, Zachary K. Dawson, and Ryder A. Wishart. Leiden: Brill, 2024.
Quality Assured Magazines
Editorials
Conference Presentations
2025 “Early Māori Peacemaking as ‘The Word of the Gospel of God.’” In the Use, Influence and Impact of the Bible Section, SBL, Boston (22 November).
2024 “Early Māori Christian Peacemaking.” (Plenary paper) ANZABS, Carey Baptist College, Auckland (2 December).
2022 “Scripture Extracts – The (Hitherto) Missing Link Between the Early Burmese Catholic Tradition and Nineteenth Century Baptist Missionaries.” Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Dunedin. (December 5-6).
2021 “Reflections on Teaching Biblical Hebrew using the Communicative Language Teaching Approach.” Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Auckland. (December 7)
“Ann Haseltine Judson.” In the Recovering Female Interpreters of the Bible Section, SBL, Boston (24 November).
“‘I Have Nothing Yet that I Can Venture to Use’ – Adoniram Judson’s Rejection of James Chater’s Gospel of Matthew in Burmese.” International Association of Missions Studies Assembly, Sydney, Australia. (July 8).
Teaching & Expertise
Old Testament / Hebrew Bible
Biblical interpretation and hermeneutics
Translation and reception of Scripture in mission contexts
Postgraduate supervision
