Michael J. Kruger

Education Kruger obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill followed by an M. Div. from Westminster Seminary California. His doctoral studies were at the University of Edinburgh where his advisor was Larry Hurtado. His dissertation is a study of P.Oxy. 840.

In 2022, Kruger published Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church. In the book, Kruger argues that "spiritual abuse is when a spiritual leader... wields his position of spiritual authority in such a way that he manipulates, domineers, bullies, and intimidates those under him as a means of maintaining his own power and control, even if he is convinced he is seeking biblical and kingdom-related goals." In response to the work, Kruger won The Gospel Coalition's 2022 Book of the Year award in the Ministry category. In addition, Kruger was a co-winner in the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's 2022 For the Church book awards.

Canon studies Kruger's work focuses on the Canon of the New Testament, particularly how the Christian church has historically understood which books belong in the Bible.