Your Hispanic Theological Initiative has reached a new milestone in 2017, providing support for more doctoral students than ever before. Entering the 2017-18 academic year, HTI will be guiding 44 students in their doctoral programs, including 15 who are working on their dissertations.
“This is a tremendous way to start the 21
st year of HTI,” said Rev. Joanne Rodriguez, executive director. “Over the next year and half, these amazing scholars will earn their PhD to be leaders for theological and religious studies in the academy and the church, raising the profile of Latina/o and Hispanic scholars in colleges, universities and seminaries.”
Over the past 20 years, your HTI has helped more than 110 scholars earn PhDs, which have provided them with a platform to make significant contributions to the church and academy, as pastors, authors, professors, deans and even ambassadors. The growing number of enrolled students reaching new heights in each of the past three years demonstrates the program’s momentum, as more Latina/o students seek to become scholars, and more former students continue to serve the program as mentors.
“We are so excited to see the increasing impact of ‘
En Conjunto,’ both in empowering leaders for today and inspiring leaders for tomorrow,” Rev. Rodriguez added. “This is made possible by the support of the consortium of schools embracing these scholars and HTI, together with the generous granting institutions, corporate, and individual donors, and, of course, the scholars who work so hard to earn their degrees and make an impact.”
Since 1996, your HTI has been providing support and nurture to PhD students from the Hispanic and Latina/o communities, fulfilling its mission to identify and train leaders from these communities, increase recruitment and faculty representation from these communities, and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas to serve these communities. Participants in the program have earned their PhDs in an average of five years and 97 percent of those enrolled complete their degree, faring far better than the national averages of 8 years to complete the degree and a dropout rate of above 50 percent.
In this edition of Journeys:
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dearest Friends,
As I looked over the stories in this newsletter, I was struck by the leadership spaces HTI scholars are occupying in so many communities. Be it the meaningful dissertation subjects they defended, the conferences they headlined, or jobs they have landed, it’s clear that the scholars mentored through your Hispanic Theological Initiative are making an impact.
These leaders are blazing trails in colleges, universities and seminaries. These leaders are advancing new perspectives for the church. These leaders are making a difference. Their voices are being heard. Through this, the voices of the Latina/o and Hispanic communities are being heard as well.
This is the impact of visionary leaders 20 years ago together with the 24 PhD granting seminaries and divinity schools that make up the HTI Consortium. This is the impact of students and mentors who stay involved with the program year after year. This is the impact of partner organizations, publishers, granting institutions and generous donors who fund these efforts. These leaders are leading because of your leadership in opening doors and providing support for their studies.
Thank you all for your support and please enjoy reading the June issue.
Blessings,
Rev. Joanne Rodriguez
LOGROS
Dissertation Defense
HTI is thrilled to announce that a number of our scholars have recently defended their dissertations successfully. Congratulations to the following scholars:
Rev. Dr. Rubén Arjona (2016–2017 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) at Princeton Theological Seminary. In his fourth year of doctoral work at Princeton Theological Seminary, Rubén accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Care at Iliff School of Theology, and this April he defended his dissertation titled, “The Minister as Curator of Desire: A Model of Pastoral Accompaniment with Young Mexican Men.” Congratulations, Dr. Arjona!
On May 15, at Andrews University, Rev. Dr. Abner Hernández (2016–2017 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) defended his dissertation titled, “The Doctrine of Prevenient Grace in the Theology of Jacobus Arminius”, and right after that he accepted the position of Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Montemorelos University, Nuevo León, Mexico. Continued blessings abroad, Dr. Hernández!
Rev. Dr. Carla Roland (2016–2017 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), REctor at the Church of St. Matthew & St. Timothy in New York, NY, successfully defended her dissertation, titled, “Why can’t they be like us? Baptism and Conversion in Sixteenth Century Spain” at the University of Exeter/Hartford Seminary, on April 27th. Dr. Roland shares an HTI journey reflection:
“Familia, on April 27, 2017, I successfully defended my dissertation (University of Exeter/Hartford Seminary). My journey with HTI started in 1999 as a master’s student and later during my work in the first PhD attempt (from which I was ABD and left in 2005 when life intervened---remember that!!!) to this last trip that I undertook starting in 2010. All this is to say that many of you reading this have walked some part of this journey with me; I am grateful. This journey has been much more than the 100,000-word thesis with another 70,000 words in footnotes, appendices, and bibliography, 433 pages in all – it has been a journey of discovery, growth, and unexpected friendships. The best way to illustrate this is perhaps in a ‘time capsule’ that I have found in the last few weeks.
Since the defense, I have been catching up on the projects and work that have been neglected or delayed or abandoned for months and even years, and to add to that, here at the church, we are moving offices. I am determined that in this move I will not take any box that has remained unopened from move to move (from CA to TX to NY). Thus, I am sorting and shredding, and getting rid of lots of things. In these boxes, I have found all my HTI files from the last 18 years. I found boarding passes for mentor’s meetings, posters for HTI regional meetings, or our time at Erdman Center and 12 Library Place in Princeton; dissertation proposals from those that were a year or two or three ahead, creative writing pieces that Uli Guthrie (HTI editor) made us write, and then share, to thesis outlines and other pieces of homework for the writing week, to photographs and brochures listing all of the “old” names and the “new” ones, year after year, and many pens, name tags and badges. With each one of these things I have been able to think of many of you; I am grateful. As it turns out, I couldn’t think of anything better as I embark on the next leg of my journey.
Gracias y un abrazo, Carla.”
Your HTI also celebrates the dissertation defense of a former HTI Student Aide, Dr. Carla España, who defended at the Graduate Center at City University of New York on April 20, 2017. Dr. España graciously offered this reflection:
“‘Porque yo quería escribir, desahogarme cómo yo me sentía, cuando yo vine aquí sin mi mamá,’ one of the students in my research study on bilingual writing shared when I asked why she wrote a personal narrative on the moment she left the Dominican Republic. This spring, I finally shared this story and many others, when I successfully defended my dissertation, Escribiendo para desahogarme: Release and Resistance in a Middle School Bilingual Writing Workshop, at The Graduate Center, City University of New York. Although my interests in bilingual education has its roots in my experience in schools as a Chilean immigrant, HTI played a crucial role in showing me that this doctoral journey was a possibility.
During my time at HTI (while completing my Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary) as their student aide, I saw applicants through the application process, heard about their progress, joined them in writing workshops, watched them present at conferences, celebrated their publications, and I even got to take their courses during summer programs. Those moments seeing a beautiful Latina/o community made up of students, mentors, and staff that cared for one another as a familia were transformative. After completing my M.Div, I went on to get a MS in Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension, connected with profesora Yvonne De Gaetano at Hunter College who mentored me through the transition to teaching in NYC public schools and recommended I pursue a doctorate. Gracias HTI for showing me the importance of these relationships and following a calling that seeks to contribute to our communities.”
Your HTI is proud to share in the success of these talented scholars and we look forward to seeing how their careers unfold. The success of these scholars is just one of many wonderful examples of how you, a member of the HTI family, support the success and growth of Latina/o scholars of theology and religion!
Passing Comprehensive Exams:
Your HTI is thrilled to announce that the following scholars have passed their comprehensive exams:
Lis Valle (2017-2018 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) at Vanderbilt University has passed her comprehensive exams. Congratulations on this wonderful success!
Stephanie Mota Thurston (2017–2018 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) at Princeton Theological Seminary also passed her comprehensive exams on April 13 and is working on her proposal approval to begin dissertation writing. Congratulations and best of luck to you in this endeavor!
Michael Grigoni (2016-2017 Comprehensive Exams-Year Student) at Duke University has passed his comprehensive exams as well. Congratulations on this academic achievement!
We wish these scholars so much success as they transition to the dissertation phase of their academic life!
New Appointments:
Dr. Edwin Hernández (HTI Co-Founder, Advisory Committee Member, Sustainability Committee Member) has been elected to serve as President of Adventist University of Health Sciences in Orlando, FL. The ADU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Hernandez to this new role effective August 1, 2017. According to exiting President Dr. David Greenlaw, “Along with the board of trustees, we are confident that Dr. Hernandez’s compassionate leadership, dedication, and experience make him the ideal candidate to assume ADU’s top position in August. Please join us in congratulating him as he prepares for both the next exciting chapter of his life and the next chapter of the ongoing story of Adventist University.” ¡Felicidades!
Dr. Luis Pedraja (1997-1998 HTI Postdoctoral Scholar and HTI Mentor) was elected to serve as President of Quinsigamond Community College and was unanimously approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. Congratulations to Dr. Pedraja and his family!
The Rev. Dr. Loida I. Martell (1999-2000 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar and HTI Mentor), former Professor of Constructive Theology at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in Pennsylvania and ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches USA, has been named the next Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean at Lexington Theological Seminary. She will begin her new position at LTS August 1. Congratulations, Dr. Martell!
Dr. Wendy Arce (2011-2012 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) has recently accepted a new position as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at the Graduate Theological Union, one of HTI’s member schools. Congratulations, Dr. Arce on becoming part of your school’s leadership!
Dr. Victor Carmona (2011-2012 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Latina/o Catholic Theology at the University of San Diego. Since 2012, he has been a faculty member at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Carmona is a Catholic moral theologian with expertise in immigration and social ethics. We are proud of this achievement and look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in this new role!
Dr. Peter Mena (2013-2014 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) was also appointed Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego. Dr. Mena specializes in Christianity in Late Antiquity in conversation with Latino/a theologies, gender/queer studies, and contemporary ethical issues. Congratulations on this amazing success!
Dr. Lauren Guerra Aguilar (2015-2016 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) will be teaching in the Cesar E. Chavez Department of Chicana/o Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles in the Fall of 2017. Best wishes, Dr. Guerra Aguilar!
Promotion and Tenured Appointments:
It is with great joy that we announce that Dr. Elias Ortega-Aponte (2009-2010 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) was promoted as Associate Professor of Afro-Latino/a Religions and Cultural Studies at Drew Theological School. ¡Felicidades!
Dr. Matilde Moros (2011-2012 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) will join the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University at the rank of Assistant Professor. Congratulations on your promotion!
Dr. Hosffman Ospino has been granted tenure as Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College. Congratulations, Dr. Ospino!
Dr. Leopoldo Sánchez (2002-2003 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar and HTI Mentor) was promoted to full Professor rank at Concordia Seminary this past Spring. Dr. Sánchez is the Werner R. H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries, Professor of Systematic Theology, and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies. Congratulations, Dr. Sánchez!
Awards:
Dr. Daniel Ramírez (2003-2004 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar and HTI Mentor), Associate Professor of Religion at Claremont Graduate University, was awarded the 2017 Pneuma Book of the Year Award by the Society for Pentecostal Studies for his publication entitled, “Migrating Faith: Pentecostalism in the United States and Mexico in the Twentieth Century” (University of North Carolina Press, 2015). Dr. Ramírez accepted the award with an address given at the most recent SPS 2017 Convention in St. Louis, MO.
”Migrating Faith” presents a history of 20th century Pentecostalism that was centered in and propelled by the experience of the borderlands and cross-migration along the US-Mexico border. Important Pentecostal innovations and traditions of today were directly influenced by the geographic, spiritual, and historical phenomenon present along the border communities in the early 20th century. You can read more of Dr. Ramírez’s work and order your copy today by clicking the Amazon link below:
https://www.amazon.com/Migrating-Faith-Pentec…/…/ref=sr_1_1…
Congratulations Dr. Ramírez! An honor well deserved.
Dr. Jared Alcántara, (2013-2014 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) assistant professor of Homiletics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, was awarded the 2017 Preaching Magazine Book of the Year Award for his publication, “What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us About Preaching” (Cascade Books, October 2016). The magazine called Alcántara's work "a slim volume with a big impact," adding, "the book is packed with practical wisdom from Taylor's pen and pulpit that will enrich the lives and ministry of those who read it." Congratulations from your HTI!
HTI SCHOLARS EN ACCIÓN
Jorge Juan Rodríguez V (2017-2018 HTI Second-Year Doctoral Scholar) of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York presented his paper titled “The Gospel of Colonization: The U.S. Colonization of Puerto Rico as a Protestant Missionary Project,” on March 4th at the "Creative Revolution(s): Combatting Hatred with Justice across the Americas" 2017 LACS (Latin American and Caribbean Studies Conference) Graduate Students Conference, hosted by graduate students in the Department of Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies at the University at Albany-SUNY.
Elmer Guzmán (2017-2018 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) of Andrews University presented at the 2017 Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters held at Western Michigan University. The paper was titled “The Appropriation of the Concept of ‘Translation’ as a Model for Missional Doctrinal Hermeneutics in Kevin J. Vanhoozer.”
Dr. Nora Lozano-Diaz (1997-1998 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar and HTI Mentor) Associate Professor of Theological Studies & Director of the Latina Leadership Institute at Baptist University of the Americas, offered the Spring Hispanic Theology and Ministry lecture at Oblate School of Theology. The topic was ecumenical dialogue in a Hispanic/Latino(a) context with a Thursday evening public lecture in Spanish and a Friday morning faculty colloquium in English. ¡En hora buena, Dra. Lozano! https://ost.edu/events/quien-es-mi-hermano-mi-hermana/
Dr. Néstor Medina (2006-2007 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Independent Scholar, gave the plenary address at the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) entitled “Faith, the Cultural, and the Spirit: Toward a Pneumatology of the Cultural.” According to Dr. Medina’s work, the “event of Pentecost” is the “quintessential manifestation of the Spirit’s radical cultural inclusion and issues an invitation to dominant cultures” to open “out” to other cultural traditions. Congratulations, Dr. Medina!
Dr. Ann Hidalgo (2014-2015 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Acquisitions Librarian at Claremont School of Theology, presented the Vanderbilt Emerging Scholars Lecture: “Estamos Aqui/We are Here: Denouncing Colonialist, Racist, and Sexist Theology Liturgically” on April 13 at HTI Member School Vanderbilt Divinity School. The lecture focused on the ways Latin American liberationist liturgies were employed in the mid to late 20th century to deconstruct inherited traditional colonial theological narratives. Congratulations, Dr. Hidalgo!
Dr. Lauren Guerra Aguilar (2015-2016 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Visiting Scholar at SMU Perkins School of Theology, presented a paper at the most recent LASA (Latin American Studies Association) conference at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú on May 1, 2017. The paper was titled "Popular Religion and Devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe amongst U.S. Latino/as.” Congratulations, Dr. Guerra Aguilar!
Dr. Neomi DeAnda (2009-2010 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton, led a conversation with the Hope Border Institute/Institutio Fronterizo Esperanza about the intersection of the border, issues of privilege and race, and the perspective of faith in El Paso, TX on April 10. Thank you for this important work!
Dr. Ana Maria Pineda (HTI Mentor), Associate Professor of Hispanic Theology at Santa Clara University, gave the keynote address on the Blessed Oscar Romero at HTI’s member school the University of Notre Dame’s Catholic Social Tradition Conference, “Soul of Development: The 50th Anniversary of Populorum Progressio.” The conference addressed the “thematic social justice issues in this seminal modern Catholic social thought document, especially those in the encyclical such as economic justice, international development, solidarity with the poor, peacebuilding and globalization, all of which gave rise to liberation theology and integral human development practices.” Thank you, Dr. Pineda!
Dr. Loida I. Martell (1999-2000 HTI Dissertation Scholar and HTI Mentor), incoming Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean at Lexington Theological Seminary, was the keynote speaker for the inaugural Horace G. Underwood Lecture and Symposium celebrated at New Brunswick Theological Seminary on April 1, 2017. This lecture marked the official inauguration of the Seminary’s Horace G. Underwood Center of Global Christianity, directed by Dr. James Jinhong Kim. Dr. Martell’s lecture topic was titled: “Called to be Neighbor: Global Missions in a Globalized World.” She argued that recent trends demonstrate that missionary efforts are primarily directed to Christians, and therefore global Christianity needs to rethink the goal and object of mission. Dr. Martell suggested that in a globalized world, global Christianity is about being a “new kind of neighbor in a totally new neighborhood.” She asserted, “We are challenged, not to bring good news to one’s tribe, to the ones who look like us, sound like us, welcome us because they mirror us, but rather to go to the broken ones, the ones we can hardly recognize because having eyes we haven’t seen, the ones we barely hear because having ears we haven’t been listening.”
Additionally, while on sabbatical, Dr. Martell also recently completed a one-year training with the New Leadership Academy in March. This program, sponsored by the University of Michigan, trains scholars of various backgrounds as Fellows with the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good.
HTI MEMBER SCHOOLS EN ACCIÓN
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary recently hosted their annual Hispanic-Latinx Center Conference, “Cátedra Paulo Freire: Liberating Hope within a Traumatized World,” which was held on March 23-24, 2017. According to the seminary, the conference explored “the notion of hope from a variety of angles identifying where small seeds of hope are germinating and multiplying despite the current desolate and hardened soils of our communities and cities. In a world traumatized by practices of marginalization and violence against individuals, communities, and environment, participants were invited to expand their horizons imagining new possibilities of living in solidarity with one another.”
The Hispanic/Latin@ Ministries Program at SMU Perkins School of Theology hosted their annual Barton Lecture on April 6. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier (1997-1998 HTI Dissertation Scholar, HTI Advisory Committee Member, and HTI Mentor) gave the keynote address “Latin@ Jovenes: Children of the Reign of God.”
“EN CONJUNTO” PARTNERS EN ACCIÓN
Congratulations to Asociación para la Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH) on their recent award from the Lilly Endowment Inc., to create a Network of Bible Institutes to better understand the relationships and various roles between Hispanic churches and Bible institutes. The three-year project expects to better stimulate and foster more effective partnerships between AETH and its member Bible institutes serving Hispanic Christian communities.
Felicidades for this important work!
ACHTUS Colloquium 2017
June 4-7, 2017 - Albuquerque, NM
At their most recent colloquium gathering, ACHTUS elected its fifth consecutive woman president: Dr. Neomi De Anda (serving in 2019-2020) with Dr. Jacqueline Hidalgo (serving in 2018-2019). The ACHTUS current president is Dr. María Teresa Dávila (2017-2018), with outgoing president Dr. Elsie Miranda (2016-2017), and former president Dr. Nancy Pineda-Madrid (2015-2016).
HTI proudly celebrates that four of these women are HTI graduates and/or mentors!
La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion was the recipient of the 2017 ACHTUS award. According to La Comunidad's president, Dr. Loida Martell, “La Comunidad is honored to be the recipient of the 2017 ACHTUS Award. The executive committee of La Comunidad expresses its profound gratitude to the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States for this recognition for its work in nurturing Latinx scholarship in an ecumenical spirit.” Dr. María Teresa Dávila, current President of ACHTUS, and Dr. Lauren Guerra-Aguilar presented the award to Dr. Loida I. Martell, and Dr. Edwin David Aponte, past President of La Comunidad on June 6, 2017. Gracias, ACHTUS, for this great honor.”
Congratulations from your HTI!
NEW PUBLICATIONS
El sermón como creación artesanal: Manual para la práctica de la predicación / The Sermon as a Craft Creation: A Manual for the Practice of Preaching)
by Dr. Francisco Javier Goitía Padilla (2004-2005 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Systematic Theology at Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico
Paperback: 130 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 2, 2017)
Language: Spanish
ISBN-10: 1545110972
ISBN-13: 978-1545110973
This book is a contextual approach that uses the craft as a metaphor of understanding for the practice of preaching. It invites a conversation among the readers and their ecclesial, social and geographical environments so that they find their own resources and their identity as proclaimers of the Word of God.
El libro es un acercamiento contextual que utiliza lo artesanal como metáfora de entendimiento para la práctica de la predicación. Intenta provocar una conversación con los lectores y sus entornos eclesiales, sociales y geográficos de modo que encuentren sus propios recursos y su identidad como proclamadores de la Palabra de Dios.
https://www.amazon.com/serm%C3%B3n-como-creaci%C3%B3n-artesanal-predicaci%C3%B3n/dp/1545110972/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494863459&sr=1-1
Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence: A Comparative Theology with Judaism and Islam
by
Dr. Rubén Rosario Rodríguez (2003-2004 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar, HTI Mentor), Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 30, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1107187141
ISBN-13: 978-1107187146
In recent years, martyrdom and political violence have been conflated in the public imagination. Rubén Rosario Rodríguez argues that martyr narratives deserve consideration as resources for resisting political violence in contemporary theological reflection. Underlying the three Abrahamic monotheistic traditions is a shared belief that God requires liberation for the oppressed, justice for the victims and, most demanding of all, love for the political enemy. Christian, Jewish and Muslim martyr narratives that condone political violence - whether terrorist or state-sponsored - are examined alongside each religion's canon, in order to evaluate how central or marginalized these discourses are within their respective traditions. Primarily a work of Christian theology in conversation with Judaism and Islam, this book aims to model religious pluralism and cooperation by retrieving distinctly Christian sources that nurture tolerance and facilitate coexistence, while respecting religious difference.
https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Martyrdom-Political-Violence-Comparative/dp/1107187141/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490382558&sr=1-1&keywords=christian+martyrdom+political+violence
Conversaciones teológicas del sur global americano: Violencia, desplazamiento y Fe / Theological Conversations of the American Global South: Violence, Displacement and Faith
Edited by Dr. Oscar Garcia-Johnson, Milton Acosta
Paperback: 252 pages
Publisher: Wipf and Stock (October 11, 2016)
Language: Spanish
ISBN: 9781498294577
A collection of essays that depart methodologically from two realities, one local and one global, both derived from the crisis of forced displacement experienced in the American Global South (Colombia, Latin America and the American Latina/o Diaspora). All this is due to forces that promote systemic and continental violence: globalization, neoliberalism, political corruption, a deficit in the missionary commitment of the Christian Church of the Americas, etc. Despite these violence promoting factors, one can see in this collection a hope (“theotopia”) that gives brightness to a history yet to be built in Our America. This hope is expressed through new efforts to understand the causes and consequences of forced displacement in Colombia and the rest of the Americas, and by fresh biblical-theological ways of responding to such causes and consequences as the church of Jesus Christ. / Una colección de ensayos que parten metodológicamente de dos realidades, una local y la otra global, pero ambas derivadas de la crisis de desplazamiento forzado vivido en el sur global americano (Colombia, Latinoamérica y la diáspora latina estadounidense). Todo esto se da en función de fuerzas promotoras de la violencia sistémica y continental: globalización, neoliberalismo, corrupción política, déficit en el compromiso misional de la iglesia cristiana de las Américas, etc. A pesar de tales factores promotores de violencia, se vislumbra en esta colección una esperanza ("teotopía") que da brillo a la historia aún por construirse en Nuestra América. Esta esperanza es expresada por medio de nuevos esfuerzos por entender las causas y consecuencias del desplazamiento forzado en Colombia y el resto de las Américas y por frescas maneras biblico-teológicas de responder a tales causas y consecuencias como iglesia de Jesucristo.
http://wipfandstock.com/conversaciones-teologicas-del-sur-global-americano.html
Spanning the Divide: Latinos/as in Theological Education
by Dr. Edwin Hernández, President of Adventist University of Health Sciences and Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Latino Religion and Research
Paperback: 478 pages
Publisher: Bestsellers Media (January 30, 2017)
Language: English
They come from different places and different walks of life, sharing a common ancestry and name in the United States: Hispanic. Whether newly arrived immigrants or people whose families have been in the United States for generations, their explosive growth is changing the face of United States culture. They are a people with deep religious roots and vibrant spiritual energy, which has tremendous implications for the practice of religion—in particular Christianity—in this country. In both Catholic and Protestant congregations, the Hispanic or Latino/a presence is growing. Their thirst for spiritual connection is strong; their temporal needs are many.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTFZITD/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Latino Protestants in America: Growing and Diverse
by Drs. Mark T. Mulder, Aida I. Ramos, and Gerardo Martí
Hardback: 218 pages
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (March 9, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442256540
ISBN-13: 978-1442256545
Latino Protestantism is growing rapidly in the United States. Researchers estimate that by 2030 half of all Latinos in America will be Protestant. This remarkable growth is not just about numbers. The rise of Latino Protestants will impact the changing nature of American politics, economics, and religion. Latino Protestants in America takes readers inside the numbers to highlight the many reasons Latino Protestants are growing as well as the diversity of this group.
The book brings together the best existing scholarship on this group with original research to offer a nuanced picture of Latino Protestants in America, from worship practices to political engagement. The narrative helps readers move beyond misconceptions about Latino religion and offers a window into the diverse ways that religion plays out in real life. Latino Protestants in America is an essential resource for anyone interested in the beliefs and practices of this group, as well as the implications for its growth and areas for further study.
https://www.amazon.com/Latino-Protestants-America-Growing-Diverse/dp/1442256540/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489588049&sr=8-1&keywords=latino+protestants+in+america
Romero & Grande: Companions on the Journey
By Dr. Ana María Pineda
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Lectio Publishing LLC (May 23, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 194390104X
ISBN-13: 978-1943901043
On May 23, 2015, Pope Francis beatified Salvadoran martyr Archbishop Oscar Romero who was murdered while presiding at Mass in 1980. Three years before his murder, Rutilio Grande, Jesuit priest and friend of the Archbishop, had been murdered for the same offense—speaking up for the poor and vulnerable. Until this book, the stories about these men have grown elusive and vague. Now, Salvadoran native Ana Maria Pineda once again catapults these martyrs into our collective consciences through a story that is both significantly personal and painstakingly researched during multiple trips to her homeland where she discovered surprising facts very "close to home."
https://www.amazon.com/Romero-Grande-Ana-Maria-Pineda/dp/194390104X
Learning from a Legend: What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us about Preaching
By Dr. Jared E. Alcántara and Ralph Douglas West
Paperback: 158 pages
Publisher: Cascade Books (September 30, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1498226094
ISBN-13: 978-1498226097
In April 2015, America's last pulpit prince died. When Gardner C. Taylor (1918-2015), former senior pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, departed this life at the age of ninety-six, the United States lost one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, not enough preachers today know his name or why his preaching can enrich and bless the church today. Learning from a Legend: What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us about Preaching provides Christian preachers with much-needed lessons, wisdom, and insights from Dr. Taylor, the dean of American preaching. It highlights six lessons that Dr. Taylor can teach preachers in the twenty-first century about pain, redemption, eloquence, apprenticeship, context, and holiness. Not only did Dr. Taylor teach and preach these lessons, he lived them. Those wanting to learn more about Dr. Taylor's preaching while also sharpening their own preaching ought to read this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Legend-Gardner-Taylor-Preaching/dp/1498226094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497327713&sr=1-1
Wittenberg Meets the World: Reimagining the Reformation at the Margins
by Alberto L Garcia and John Nunes
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Eerdmans (April 14, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802873286
ISBN-13: 978-0802873286
As the global church assesses the legacy of the Lutheran Reformation, Alberto García and John Nunes in this book reimagine central Reformational themes from black, Hispanic, and other perspectives traditionally at the margins of catholic-evangelical communities. Focusing on the central theme of justification, García and Nunes delve into three interlinked aspects of the church's life in the world—martyria (witness), diakonia (service), and koinōnia (fellowship). They argue that it is critically important and vitally enriching for the whole church, especially Eurocentric Protestant churches, to learn from the grassroots theological emphases of Christian communities in the emerging world.
https://www.amazon.com/Wittenberg-Meets-World-Reimagining-Reformation/dp/0802873286/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497327967&sr=1-1&keywords=Wittenberg+Meets+the+World
Conoce Tu Fe: Cristianismo para el siglo XXI
By Justo L. Gonzalez
Print Length: 156 pages
Publisher: Bestsellers Media/AETH (May 23, 2017)
Language: Spanish
This book deals with the issues that are and have been central to the Christian church over the centuries, and why these doctrines are important today. In the words of the author, "the purpose is that we know how to give a reason for our faith, and understand why not follow one of the many doctrines that swarm about today." It is a book not only to be read privately but rather to read it and discuss it with other brothers and sisters in the faith. For this, the author provides at the end of each of the eleven chapters a series of questions for discussion, with the hope that this discussion will help us not only to better understand our faith, but also and above all to live it better. "
https://www.amazon.com/Conoce-Cristianismo-para-siglo-Spanish-ebook/dp/B0728HN1ZF/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497328142&sr=1-1&keywords=Conoce+Tu+Fe
UPCOMING EVENTS
Your HTI is pleased to announce the dates for the 2017-2018 annual HTI Summer Workshop, June 26-29, 2017 at Princeton Theological Seminary. All currently enrolled HTI Scholars are required to attend this four-day conference to collaborate together en conjunto in continuing to form your HTI community.
HTI Summer Workshop Speakers and Topics:
- Efraín Agosto & Milagros Peña- What Comes Next? Finding a Job and Building a Career?
- Xochitl Alvizo & Jorge Aquino- Living Document/Building Your CV
- Xochitl Alvizo- You Can’t Spell Teach Without TA
- Jorge Aquino & Jeremy Cruz - Creating Engaging Lectures
- Elizabeth Conde-Frazier - Shaping YOUr Teaching Philosophy
- Santiago Slabodsky- Ps and Qs of Writing Syllabus
- Ulrike (Uli) Guthrie & Nestor Medina- Writing Book Reviews, Writing a Dissertation, and Writing FUNdamentals
- Ann Hidalgo- Bibliographic Tools
- Carmen Nanko-Fernandez- Grant Writing-Fund Education and Future Scholarly Projects
-
Loida Martell & Daniel Ramirez - The Art of Mentoring Training
-
Milagros Peña & Daniel Ramirez- Commanding a Classroom
-
Ralph Piper- “Clearing the Path”
-
Robert "Bob" Ratcliff, Nestor Medina & Ann Hidalgo - Drill Down for Comps, Drill Down for Exams, Gems in Your Passed Exams/Diss. Chapter for Publication
The University of Dayton will hold The Social Practice of Human Rights: Charting the Frontiers of Research and Advocacy - SPHR 2017: An examination of human rights advocacy conference on November 8-10, 2017. According to the conference webpage, the conference explores challenges to advocacy posed by racism, xenophobia, other forms of extremism, and what Pope Francis has termed “the globalization of indifference.” More information can be found in the link below:
https://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/hrc/conferences-programs-fellowships/conferences/sphr-17/index.php
CALL FOR PAPERS
Dr. Mariana Alessandri (
2008-2009 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar), Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, shared a Call for Abstracts, for the upcoming conference titled "Philosophy Across the Americas: Thinking La Frontera" to take place November 2, 2017 - November 4, 2017.
Papers that engage or traverse South, Central, and North American philosophies, including Indigenous philosophies are welcomed. Possible topics include:
• Borderlands Identities
• Borders and Border Walls
• Immigration
• Cultural and/or Epistemic Pluralism
• Social Justice, Including Linguistic Justice
• Feminist Women of Color/Chicanx/ Latinx/Latin American Thought
• North-South Philosophical Currents and Influences
• Borderlands Spirituality
• Politics, Law, Power
• Trans-American Philosophy
• Race, Gender, Class
• Liberation and/or Decolonial Philosophy
Pragmatism Guidelines for Submission:
1.Individual abstracts should be 500-750 words. Panel abstracts should be 1000 words, and should include descriptions of each member’s contributions.
2.Abstracts should be suitable for anonymous review. In a separate document, please include your name, affiliation, contact information, and presentation title. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 1st 2017.
3.Submit proposals to philosophyacrosstheamericas@ gmail.com
4.Write “Submission” in the subject line.
Notifications: September 15, 2017. If an earlier notification is needed for funding purposes, please say so in your submission email. Questions? Contact Dr. Aaron Wilson at awilson3@southtexascollege.edu
For more information visit https://philevents.org/event/show/33022
The Society
of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (SRER) is glad to announce its biennial conference to be held at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN October 27-29, 2017. The purpose of the gathering is to explore the challenges, dangers, and pitfalls minoritized racial-ethnic scholars face when teaching radical love and justice politics in the classroom. All too often, the academy restricts the reach and scholastic contributions of scholars of color , in particular, who engage in praxis-based teachings, which are viewed by some as lacking academic rigor and relegated to the margins. And yet, minoritized scholars committed to justice-based teachings argue that their work is exceedingly relevant across the academy, due to its intersection with disenfranchised communities and various expressions of daily praxis. Although some attention has been given to pedagogical issues surrounding Asians, Blacks, Jewish and Latinx scholars in the academy, few of these studies have focused on how to teach specifically from one’s racial and/or ethnic social location. In particular, this conference is to explore the meaning of teaching from such marginalized and minoritized location as a pedagogy of radical love politics necessary for our peculiar religious and political climate.
For the 2017 meeting, SRER invites paper proposals addressing the general theme of radical love politics. SRER is particularly interested in papers that both define and set parameters for what might be meant by “radical love politics” within the contexts of both embodied race and ethnicity and the new political reality of the United States. Preference will also be given to papers that not only describe circumstances, but also offer pedagogical approaches and methods for addressing current socio-political, economic and cultural circumstances.
Paper proposals should include Name, Institution, Contact information, Title and a narrative no longer than 500 words and they should be sent to:
Dr. Anthony Pinn, SRER Program Director, (pinn@rice.edu)
To be considered proposals must be received no later than August 1, 2017.
Thanks to Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre (2000-2001 HTI Postdoctoral Scholar), Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at Iliff School of Theology for sharing this important information with the HTI community!
NEW FAMILY MEMBERS
Dr. Julian Gonzalez (2014-2015 HTI Dissertation-Year Scholar) and his wife Viviana welcomed their daughter, Samara Lucia, into the world on May 24, 2017 at 8:53 pm. Samara weighed 8 lb 5 oz. and was 55 centimeters long! Dr. Gonzalez notes that “Mom and baby are doing well after a long and exhausting labor and delivery.” Congratulations to the Gonzalez family!
FOR OUR PRAYERS
Your HTI offers prayers of thanksgiving and continued healing for Erick Mendieta (2015-2016 HTI Dissertation Scholar) on his continued recovery from a recent heart attack, and for Rev. Joanne Rodríguez, HTI Executive Director, as she continues to heal from surgery of a broken ankle.
JOB POSTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
The Hispanic Theological Initiative is a valuable venue to attract candidates for open positions at academic institutions, church related organizations, and nonprofit organizations, among others. The following policy and procedures have been adopted to provide guidance regarding job postings:
Positions will be active on the HTI website (www.htiprogram.org) for a period of three (3) months unless we are notified to change the status to closed/filled. Upon notification, the job posting will be removed from the website.
The job posting will be displayed and used in the exact manner in which it is submitted. Before submitting, please verify that all information is accurate and correct. Once submitted, HTI is not responsible for any errors in the posting. Accuracy is the responsibility of the employer posting the position.
The cost to list a position on the HTI website, Facebook, and newsletter is $150 for non-member schools, and $100 for schools with HTI Scholar as faculty. HTI member schools job postings are free of charge. Postings reach a community of over 2,000 individuals, including doctoral students, HTI alumni, administrators, clergy, and other interested parties. To list an open position, please send an email to hti@ptsem.edu.
KEEP US POSTED
As always, we ask all of you, the members of the HTI community, to keep us posted of any news items you would like to have considered for inclusion in our newsletter by emailing us at hti@ptsem.edu and yourHTInews@gmail.com. Remember to include pertinent information, such as website or email addresses, as well as any photographs (preferably in .jpeg format). The deadline for receiving submission is the 20th of each month. Keep in mind that each submission should be no more than two paragraphs long (200 words), and remember to help us maintain our newsletter.
