bruce d. chilton (born september 27, 1949 roslyn, ny) is an american scholar of early christianity and judaism. he is bernard iddings bell professor of religion at bard college, former rector of the church of st john the evangelist and formerly lillian claus professor of new testament at yale university. he holds a ph.d in new testament from cambridge university (st. john's college). he has previously held academic positions at the universities of cambridge, sheffield, and münster.