Dr. Philip Penhallegon joined the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis faculty as professor of Exegetical Theology July 1. Penhallegon is a respected scholar in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) with special expertise on the books of Esther and Nehemiah.
 
He joined the Seminary from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. (CUAA), where he taught biblical languages and Bible content. He will be installed during the Seminary’s Opening Service Aug. 28.
 
“After 16 years at CUAA (and back at home in Michigan), it’s hard to leave colleagues and students as well as family and friends. Yet the Lord works in and through His church to call His servants as He sees fit,” Penhallegon said. “My wife, Gretchen, and I are convinced that He has called me to Concordia Seminary and us to St. Louis for His own purposes. We are excited to see what He has in store for each member of our family as we fulfill our vocations by His grace.”

While teaching at CUAA, Penhallegon 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). He also was a guest instructor of Hebrew and Old Testament at Concordia Seminary from 1999–2000.

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.

Penhallegon earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biblical studies from Concordia Seminary in 2012. 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 CUAA), in 1991.

He has published articles in various journals and theological resources, including 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.

“Dr. Penhallegon will be an asset to the faculty of Concordia Seminary and her students because of his solid biblical scholarship as well as his experience in the pastoral ministry,” said Seminary Provost Dr. Douglas L. Rutt. “He is known as a caring mentor to students at CUAA. We are gaining a proven teacher, pastor and mentor.”

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

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.