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Johnson Thomaskutty is an Indian New Testament scholar and theologian, currently serving as Professor of New Testament and Chairperson of Biblical Studies at the United Theological College, Bengaluru.[1][2] He is known for his contributions to Johannine literature, dialogical hermeneutics, and contextual readings of the New Testament in Asia.[3][4][5] He is currently serving as the editor of Bangalore Theological Forum. He was invited as a resource person in churches and academic institutions in different parts of India and in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Early life and education

Johnson Thomaskutty at Radboud University, Netherlands

Dr. Thomaskutty was born in Kollam, Kerala, to a Malayali Christian family. He is an ordained Charismatic minister and an ecumenical theologian hailing from the Indian context.[6] He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in history at University of Kerala, India. He then earned his Bachelor of Divinity (BD) and Master of Theology (MTh) in New Testament from the Senate of Serampore College (University) at Faith Theological Seminary, Manakala, and Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai, respectively. He later completed a ThM in New Testament studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, USA, and earned a PhD in New Testament under Prof. Jan van der Watt from Radboud University Nijmegen in 2014. His doctoral dissertation was titled The Nature and Function of Dialogue in the Book of Signs (John 1:19–12:50).[7][6]

Academic career

From 2001 to 2004, he served as a lecturer in New Testament and Greek language, and also as a College Chaplain at Serampore College, West Bengal.[8] He then joined the Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, becoming Head of the Department of New Testament, Dean of Biblical Studies, and Dean of Distance Learning (2008–2021). In 2021, he was appointed Professor of New Testament and later on Chairperson of Biblical Studies at the United Theological College, Bengaluru.[9][10] He also serves as a Research Associate at the Department of New Testament & Related Literature, University of Pretoria, South Africa.[11] He is a member of the Society for Biblical Studies in India (SBSI), the Society of Asian Biblical Studies (SABS), the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS), and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).

Research interests

Dr. Thomaskutty's research explores the literary, theological, and cultural dimensions of the New Testament, with a special focus on the Gospel of John.[12] His work emphasizes dialogue as a defining narrative mode in the Johannine writings, interpreting it through polyphonic, polyvalent, and contextual lenses.[13][14] He investigates how conversation functions as both a theological and literary device within the Gospel's structure.[4][15] In addition, he studies the Thomas tradition and the intersections between New Testament texts, apocryphal writings, and early Indian Christianity.[16][17] A major thrust of his scholarship is the decolonization of biblical interpretation and translation, advocating Asian, linguistic, and cultural frameworks for reading Scripture.[18] Thomaskutty's works Dialogue in the Book of Signs (Brill 2015) and Saint Thomas the Apostle: New Testament, Apocrypha, and Historical Traditions (T&T Clark 2018) have been extensively cited with academic reviews as a significant contribution to the study of dialogue and characterization in the Gospel of John.[19] Moreover, his works, such as An Asian Introduction to the New Testament (edited volume; Fortress 2022) and John: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary (Langham 2025) are highly appreciated in the academic and ecclesiastical circles. He is noted for advancing a decolonized hermeneutic of the New Testament that integrates Asian linguistic and cultural contexts.[3]

Selected works

Books

  • John (Asia Bible Commentary){{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Langham Global Library(2025). ISBN 978-1786412348
  • The Gospel of John: Contemporary Readings{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Omega Book World(2023). ISBN 9789391694661
  • The Gospel of John: A Universalistic Reading{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Christian World Imprints(2020). ISBN 9789351484004
  • Saint Thomas the Apostle: New Testament, Apocrypha, and Historical Traditions{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Bloomsbury T&T Clark(2018). ISBN 9780567672841
  • Dialogue in the Book of Signs: A Polyvalent Analysis of John 1:19–12:50{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Brill(2015). ISBN 9789004301597
  • A Critical Review of the New Testament Translation{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. ISPCK(2004). ISBN 8172147899
  • Thomaskutty, Johnson; Kunz-Lübcke, Andreas; and Zhimomi, Kaholi (2026). Thomaskutty, Johnson; Kunz-Lübcke, Andreas; and Zhimomi, Kaholi (eds.). Neighbourhood at Crossroads—Shaping Identity, Minorities, and Politicized Religions: Studies from India, East Africa, and Germany. Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity 173; Lausanne: Peter Lang. ISBN 9783631943793.
  • Indigenous Missional Leadership: A Festschrift in Honour of Late Rev. Dr. Paul V. Gupta{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. ISPCK / HBI(2025). ISBN 9788119434114
  • JUSTICE KINDNESS HUMILITY: A Festschrift to Rev. Dr. Prof. Chilkuri Vasantha Rao on his Sixtieth Birthday{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. ISPCK / UCCI / UTC(2023). ISBN 9788195848997
  • An Asian Introduction to the New Testament{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Fortress Press(2022). ISBN 9781506462691
  • Wider Contextualized Biblical Spirituality{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Christian World Imprints(2021). ISBN 9789351485506
  • Serampore Mission: Perspectives in Contexts{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. ISPCK / UBS(2019). ISBN 9789388945066

Book chapters

  • The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in India{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Oxford University Press(November 2025). ISBN 978-0-19-766165-9
  • Thomaskutty, Johnson (2025). "Evangelical and Pentecostal Movements: Ecumenical Challenges and Prospects." In Rajesh Kavalackal; Jomon Mularikkal; Siby Kuriakose Kavattu (eds.). Towards an Ecumenical Church: Challenges and Prospects Sixty Years after Vatican II. Bengaluru: Dharmaram Publications. pp. 143-165. Template:ISBN.
  • Religion and Society: Interdisciplinary Explorations{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Omega Book World(2025). ISBN 9789348534897
  • Religion and Society: Interdisciplinary Explorations{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Omega Book World(2025). ISBN 9789348534897
  • Echoes of Nicaea: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Christian Conference of Asia(2025). ISBN 9789627439707
  • The Serampore Form of Agreement: A Commentary{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. H&E Academic(2025). ISBN 9781774841655
  • Celebrating Four Decades of Dalit Theology: Essays in Honour of Prof. Aravind P. Nirmal{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. ISPCK and UTC(2025). ISBN 9788119434312
  • Indigenous Missional Leadership: A Festschrift in Honour of Late Rev. Dr. Paul V. Gupta{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. ISPCK and HBI&C(2025). ISBN 9788119434114
  • Deciphering Diverse Liberative Readings in Indian Biblical Studies: A Festschrift in Honour Prof. Rev. Dr. Kondasingu Jesurathnam{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Christian World Imprints, Society for Biblical Studies in India, and Theos Publishers(2024). ISBN 9789360651800
  • Exploring the New Testament in Asia: Evangelical Perspectives{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Langham Global Library(2024). ISBN 9781839737114
  • Pluriform Mission in the Post-Modern World{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. FOIM and ISPCK(2024). ISBN 9788119434930
  • Justice Kindness Humility: A Festschrift in Honor of Chilkuri Vasantha Rao on his Sixtieth Birthday{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. ISPCK, UCCI, and UTC(2023). ISBN 9788195848997
  • An Asian Introduction to the New Testament{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Fortress Press(2022). ISBN 9781506462691
  • An Asian Introduction to the New Testament{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Fortress Press(2022). ISBN 9781506462691
  • Christian Management in a VUCA World: Reflections from a Global Pandemic Context{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Christian Institute of Management(2022). ISBN 9788195693436
  • One Gospel, Many Cultures: Doing Theology in Context{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Fortress Press(2022). ISBN 9781506485393
  • Faith and Vision: A Festschrift in Honor of Rev. Dr. T. G. Koshy{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. FTS Publication(2022)
  • Theological and Ethical Issues in Nepal: Papers Presented at Nepal Theological Forum{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Samdan Publishers(2021). ISBN 9789937093385
  • Serampore Mission: Perspectives in Contexts{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. ISPCK and UBS(2019). ISBN 9789388945066
  • Glaube und Theologie: Reformatorische Grundeinsichten in der ökumenischen Diskussion (VWGTh 54){{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Evangelische Verlagsanstalt(2019). ISBN 9783374058068
  • Religious Freedom and Conversion in India: Papers from the Fourth SAIACS Academic Consultation{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. SAIACS Press(2017). ISBN 9789386549068
  • Global Perspectives on the Bible{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Pearson Education(2014). ISBN 9780205865383

Academic writings

Thomaskutty has also authored numerous scholarly articles in academic journals and dictionaries. Prominent among them are:

  • A Polyvalent Hermeneutic of John 2:13–25: Theoretical and Exegetical Considerations. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).
  • Oneness in John 17:1–26 as a Paradigm for Wider Ecumenism and Dialogue. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).
  • The Irony of Ability and Disability in John 9:1–41. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).
  • Reading John 11:1–45 from a Post-Normal Times Perspective. Acta Theologica({Template:Year).
  • Normal, Postnormal, and New Normal: A Theology of Hope in John 20:1–29. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).
  • Jesus and Spirituality: Reading the Fourth Gospel in the Light of the Indian Culture. Religions({Template:Year).
  • 'Humanhood' in the Gospel of John. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).
  • Characterization of Thomas in the Fourth Gospel. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Year).

Academic Presentations

References

  1. Johnson Thomaskutty, Author at Bible Odyssey. Bible Odyssey. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  2. Just Keep'in It Real: The Complete Collection of Essays, Notes, Letters, Articles, and Reviews{{#if:Woods|, Woods}. Lulu.com(2013-01-04). ISBN 978-1-300-59829-9
  3. 3.0 3.1 Johnson Thomaskutty author profile. Langham Global Library. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Gospel of John: A Universalistic Reading{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Christian World Imprints(2020). ISBN 978-93-5148-400-4
  5. John: A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Langham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78641-234-8
  6. 6.0 6.1 An Interview with Dr. Johnson Thomaskutty about his new book on "Saint Thomas the Apostle", Rob. Biblical Studies(2018-02-27). Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  7. De eigen aard en functie van de dialoog in het Boek der Tekenen (Joh. 1:19-12:50), Radbound, Repository. Radbound Repository.
  8. EKKLĒSIO-ACADEMICS IN THE JOHANNINE COMMUNITY AS A PARADIGM IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT. Biblical Studies Journal({Template:Date).
  9. A brief glance of Johnson Thomaskutty's 2021. NT Scholarship Blog(27 December 2021). Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  10. Faculty-United Theological College, Karnataka – SENATE OF SERAMPORE COLLEGE. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
  11. Jesus and spirituality: reading the fourth gospel in the light of the Indian culture. Religions({Template:Date).
  12. An Asian Introduction to the New Testament{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Augsburg Fortress(2022). ISBN 978-1-5064-6269-1
  13. One Gospel, Many Cultures: Doing Theology in Context{{#if:Lawrence|, Lawrence}. Fortress Press(2022-09-06). ISBN 978-1-5064-8540-9
  14. Oneness in John 17:1?26 as a Paradigm for Wider Ecumenism and Dialogue. HTS Theological Studies({Template:Date).
  15. Normal, post-normal and new normal: A theology of hope in John 20:1–29. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies({Template:Date).
  16. Saint Thomas the Apostle: New Testament, Apocrypha, and Historical Traditions{{#if:Thomaskutty|, Thomaskutty}. Bloomsbury Academic(2019-08-22). ISBN 978-0-567-69005-0
  17. Review of Saint Thomas the Apostle: New Testament, Apocrypha, and Historical Traditions. Jewish and Christian Texts in Contexts and Related Studies 25. Neotestamentica({Template:Date).
  18. Decolonizing New Testament Translation in the Indian Context: John 10:1–18 in the Satya Veda Pusthakam. Asia Journal of Theology({Template:Year).
  19. Three Book Reviews: Dialogue in the Book of Signs. Academia.edu. Retrieved 6 October 2025.

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