Gunnar Samuelsson

I live on Hönö, am married, and have five children (Rebecca, born 1995; Hannah, born 1999; and the triplets Daniel, Esther, and Johannes, born in 2008). I began my studies at a theological seminary in 1989. Since moving from Örebro to pursue further studies, I have longed to return to work within the correctional services.

I then continued my studies in Religious Studies and Classical Languages at the University of Gothenburg. The main subject of my Bachelor of Theology degree was Theology of Faith and Life. Thereafter, my studies continued in the fields of Biblical Studies, Classical Greek, and Latin. During the academic year 1998–1999, I wrote both a research-preparatory paper and a master’s thesis for the degree of Master of Philosophy in New Testament Exegesis.

I defended my doctoral dissertation in May 2010. The dissertation, Crucifixion in Antiquity – An Inquiry into the Background and Significance of the New Testament Terminology of Crucifixion, examined the punishment of crucifixion in general and the execution of Jesus in particular from a philological perspective. The source material consisted of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew/Aramaic texts ranging from the time of Homer up to the first century CE. The dissertation attracted considerable international media and scholarly attention.

Alongside my academic work, I am a well-established Bible teacher with extensive experience in public education and preaching. I am regularly invited to speak at church conferences and theological gatherings, and I have been active for many years as a Bible teacher on television and other media. This public engagement has given me broad experience in communicating complex theological and ethical issues in a clear, accessible, and pastoral manner to diverse audiences.

Since the late 1980s, I have lectured regularly on the languages, history, and religions of antiquity. Prior to my doctoral studies, my teaching focused primarily on the ancient world, the history of Judaism, and conflicts in the Middle East.