Doctor of Philosophy
Princeton Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity
Luther Seminary
Bachelor of Arts
Trinity Lutheran College
The Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben
Associate Professor of New Testament
The William A. & John E. Wagner Professor in Biblical Theology
Faculty Biography
Before joining the faculty at Wartburg in 2013, Troy served for five years as a pastor in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He also served as adjunct instructor of religion at the University of North Dakota. Troy enjoys teaching with technology, whether online, residentially, or in hybrid formats. His areas of interest are Luke and Acts, early church communities, and Matthew. By vocation, Troy sees himself as a pastor, just one with a specialized call: the formation of church leaders through Wartburg Seminary. He is married to Maria, and together they have two children. Outside of work, Troy enjoys playing music, biking, being outdoors, cooking, and practicing the discipline of hope by following Minnesota sports teams and the Chicago Cubs.
Check out his professional website at www.troytroftgruben.com. His academia website can be found at https://troytroftgruben.academia.edu.
BI 366 The Acts of the Apostles
BI 376 Romans
BI 192 Engaging the NT Letters
BI 190 Engaging the NT Narratives
BI 271 Preaching Matthew
BI 203 Readings in Ecclesiastical Latin
BI 103 New Testament Greek
BI 251 The New Testament World
BI 295 Teaching the Bible to Youth
MN 230 Preaching
“Reading Scripture as Good News for All.” Currents in Theology & Mission 50.2 (Spring 2023): 21–25.
“A Spirituality of Studying Scripture (Exegesis).” Word & World 42.4 (Fall 2022): 344–51.
“The Ending of Luke Revisited.” Journal of Biblical Literature 140.2 (2021): 325–46.
“Collaborative Wikis as Final Exams.” Wabash Center Journal on Teaching 2.2 (May 2021): 49–64.
“Prayer and Ethics in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount.” Word & World 40.3 (Summer 2020): 227–35.
“Being More Present Online Through Video.” Tips for Online Pedagogy Column, Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education 4.2 (November 2020): 44–45.
Rooted and Renewing: Imagining the Church’s Future in Light of Its New Testament Origins. Word & World Books. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2019.
“How Not to Fall for the Next Big Jesus Exposé.” Lutheran Forum 52.4 (Winter 2018): 45–50.
“Salvation ‘Today’ in Luke’s Gospel.” Currents in Theology and Mission 45.4 (October 2018): 6–11.
“Toxic Theology: A Pastoral Response to Bible Passages Often Used to Justify the Abuse of Children or Prevent them from Seeking Care.” Currents in Theology and Mission 45.3 (July 2018): 56–60.
“Decentered Online Bible Instruction: How Active Learning Enhances the Study of Scripture.” Teaching Theology & Religion 21.1 (January 2018): 33–46.
“Slow Sailing in Acts: Suspense in the Final Sea Journey (Acts 27:1–28:15),” Journal of Biblical Literature 136.4 (2017): 949–68.
By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Facilitator Guide. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2017.
Matthew. Books of Faith Series Adult Bible Studies. Leader and Learner Guides. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2016.
“Finding and Forming Pastors the Pauline Way,” Lutheran Forum 49:4 (Winter 2015), 18–20.
“Lessons for Teaching from the Teacher: Matthew’s Jesus on Teaching and Leading Today,” Currents in Theology and Mission 40.6 (Dec 2013): 387–98.
“Acts for Lutherans,” Lutheran Forum 44:3 (Fall 2010), 13-15.
A Conclusion Unhindered: A Study of the Ending of Acts within Its Literary Environment. WUNT 2:280. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2010.
Dr. Troftgruben has extensive knowledge in the following categories and is able to serve as a resource on:
- The Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke
- The Gospel of Matthew
- Early Church Communities
- Paul’s Letters
- Pastoral Theology