After completing his doctorate in Germany in 1963, he was a missionary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at Union Theological Seminary in Manila, Philippines, from 1964–1975.
From 1975–1997, Bruner taught at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, and held the position of George and Lyda Wasson Professor Emeritus of Religion.
[2] Since his retirement, a chaired position was created in his honor, which is currently held by theologian, Dr. Jonathan Moo.
Since 1997, Bruner has been on the adjunct faculty at the Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena, California, where he continues to write and research.
During the spring 1998 semester, he was Senior Mission Scholar at the Overseas Ministries Study Center and a Research Fellow at Yale Divinity School.