SPRING SEMESTER 2025 (January- May)
Second-semester courses:
Church History:
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, January 25
Professor: Dr. Grace Vargas
Old Testament:
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, January 25, 2025
Professor: Dr. Pablo Andiñach
Fourth-semester courses:
Pastoral Care I: Pastoral Integrity
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, January 18, 2025
Professor: Dr. Eric A. Hernández López
Ética
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, January 18, 2025
Professor: Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Alvarez
Elective II: “Holistic Health and the Mission of the Church.”
Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Thursday, January 16, 2025
Professor: Dr. Douglas Morgan
FALL SEMESTER 2024 (August-November)
First-semester courses:
Christian Theology:
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, August 10, 2024
Professor: Dr. Agustina Luvis Nunez
New Testament:
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, August 10, 2024
Professor: Rev. Gonzalo R. Alers
Elective I: Christian Education
Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Thursday, August 8, 2024
Professor: Rev. Dr. Eric Hernández López
Third-semester courses:
Introduction to Preaching:
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, August 17, 2024
Professor: Rev. Dr. Irving Cotto
Biblical Interpretation:
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Saturday, August 17, 2024
Professor: Dr. Pablo Jimenez
Methodism I (History and Doctrine):
Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Starts Thursday, August 15, 2024
Professor: Rev. Emmanuel Vargas Alavez
SPRING SEMESTER 2024 (January-May)
Old Testament:
Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Instructor: Rodrigo Galarza
Church History:
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. US Eastern Time
Instructor: Dr. Eliseo Perez
FALL SEMESTER 2023 (August-November)
Christian Theology:
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. US Eastern Time
Instructor: Dr. Agustina Luvis Núñez
Dr. Agustina Luvis Núñez is a Puerto Rican theologian. She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, a degree in Medical Technology from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus, an M.Div. from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, a Master’s Degree in Theology, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, both from the Lutheran School of Theology at the University of Chicago. Currently, she is Associate Professor in Theology and Director of the Doctoral Program of the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. Her areas of interest include history, Pentecostal theology, and feminist theology.
New Testament:
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Instructor: Victoria Perez Rivera
Victoria Pérez Rivera is a candidate for a Ph.D. at the University of Southern California (USC) and an Adjunct Professor of Bible at the Latin American Bible Institute (LABI). She earned an associate degree from LABI, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University, and a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Duke University. Her areas of academic interest include the reception of Pauline literature, ancient Greco-Roman culture, race, ethnicity, and gender.
Human Trafficking, Liberation Challenge in Latin America:
Thursdays from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm EST.
*Course offered by CELAM
SPRING SEMESTER 2023
January – April
Community Pastoral Care:
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. US Eastern Time
Taught by professor: Dr. Eric A. Hernández López
In a post-pandemic context in which the church has experienced fragmentation, crisis (spiritual, emotional, and relational), and loneliness, this course will explore the meaning of pastoral care from a community perspective. The main objective of the course is to affirm the different ways in which the church is a community of mutual care or the family of faith that sustains, nurtures, and heals.
The Christian God, Suffering and Evil:
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time
Taught by professor: Dr. Daniel Castelo, PhD
This class will focus on the theological elements that influence a theodicy that is both theological and pastoral. Topics include a treatment of the book of Job, a focus on the impassibility of the Christian God, some readings of modern theodicy, the limits of theology, and the need to take these limits into account in the way we as ministers offer care. pastoral.
Methodism II: Discipline and Regulation of the Methodist Church:
Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00 pm US Eastern Time
Taught by professor: Rev. Johnny Llerena
The course will develop the central themes that are common to the Regulations and Disciplines of the Methodist Churches of the course participants, taking the book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church as a structuring document for this matter.
Methodism II seeks for students to understand and analyze the main aspects of the regulations of their churches, being able to solve specific cases. For this purpose, the facilitator will address in each session the theological and organizational background of each central theme, proposing specific situations that must be resolved by the students, in accordance with the Regulations of their churches.
The course will encourage students to develop a critical and proactive perspective on the organization and dynamics of their churches, assuming that the Discipline and Regulations are based on ecclesiology and other Wesleyan doctrines.
FALL SEMESTER 2022
August-November
Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis:
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. United States Eastern Time
Taught by professor: Rev. Dr. John Oliver
This course is designed to expose students to the basic fundamentals of pastoral care. The course will also provide models and examples for providing pastoral care in difficult circumstances. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to use a variety of pastoral care tools.
Topics (per week):
1. Introduction:
*About us
*What is (and is not) Pastoral Care
*Course Fundamentals (details)
2. Pastoral Resources/Activities
*Listening carefully
*Spiritual accompaniment
3. Care in times of Crisis and Trauma
4. Care at time of death
5. Care in times of Addiction
6. Theological integration to pastoral care
7. Psychological fundamentals that broaden pastoral care
*Transference / Countertransference
*Understanding our own history
8. Particular models for pastoral care (each student presents)
Theological Foundations for a Pastoral Response to Migration (Ecumenical Course):
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. United States Eastern Time
Taught by professors: Dr. Alberto La Rosa and Dr. Marco Strona
This is a certification that we are offering in partnership with CELAM (Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council) AND CEBITEPAL (Pastoral Biblical Theological Center for Latin America and the Caribbean)
Taking into account an ecumenical perspective:
This course is designed to expose students to the theological foundations for pastoral care of migration in the contemporary world. The course will undertake a critical and systematic reflection on migration, in the light of Christian Revelation, taking into account an ecumenical perspective.
Methodism Course: Wesleyan Theology:
Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00 pm Eastern Time in the United States
Taught by several expert teachers on the subject
This course is designed to deepen and reflect on important themes of our theological heritage as a Methodist people and their implications in our ministries.
This class will be taught by multiple teachers, giving students the opportunity to hear different voices.
SPRING SEMESTER 2022
January – April
Trinitarian Anthropology
taught by Dr. Peter Casarella
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (E.T)
In the Christian tradition the symbolism and imaginary of Trinitarian communion within and on the basis of the actual life of the human being can be found in diverse mystics as well as contemporary witnesses like the Catholic laywoman Chiara Lubich. This course will explore the Biblical and Patristic foundations of Trinitarian Anthropology such that vertical and horizontal relationality are examined in an integrated and integral manner. The principal focus, however, will be on the application of this new model to the still nascent dialogue taking place today between Christian theologians and indigenous peoples, the poor, women in Latin America, and activists promoting the earth as our common home.
Pastoral Integrity: Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Care
taught by Eric A. Hernández López
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (E.T.)
The best resource when it comes to leadership is ourselves. The quality of our relationship with God, ourselves, others and creation will directly impact the people, organizations and churches we lead. With the help of leadership theories, contemporary psychology, and Christian spirituality we will explore the best practices to take care of our spirit, body, and mind. The main objective of the course is integrity, defined as a healthy lifestyle in which there is congruence between our inner and outer life; all this, with the help of a community.
Themes:
- Being before doing
- The inner life:
- Self-knowledge, personality, emotions, and grief.
- Family differentiation.
- Spiritual disciplines and centering prayer.
- The outer life:
- The church as an emotional system.
- Balance, boundaries, burnout, and the Sabbath.
- Leadership and teamwork.
- Community life:
- Vulnerability, covenant groups and mentoring.
Methodism I: History and Doctrine of the Methodist Movement
taught by Johnny Llerena, M.Div
Classes will be held every Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (E.T.)
Methodism I offers a historical outlook for the birth of Methodism in 18th century England. The study of this context will include the social, economic, political, philosophical and theological aspects that shaped Wesleyan theological thought.
Themes:
- Introduction
- 18th century England and the Anglican Church
- John Wesley and Practical Theology
- The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
- The Triune God
- The Human Condition and Original Sin
- The Road to Salvation: The Doctrine of Grace
- The Means of Grace
FALL SEMESTER 2021
Old Testament
taught by professor Chauncey Handy
In this class we will read several texts from the major divisions of the Bible: the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Wisdom Literature-and explore more about the production of these texts in their historical moments, their applications to Christian life, and their uses in ministry. The purpose of the class is to form a community of learning and prayer with the goal of developing a living relationship with the Bible.
Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (E.T.)
Liberation Theologies
taught by Dr. Robyn Henderson Espinoza
Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (E.T)
In the age of the Anthropocene (the age of the human) turned Eremocene (the age of loneliness), we need to rethink our theologies on a collective scale to create conditions for liberation on a planetary scale. This class will trace & traverse the field of Liberation Theologies, including Latin American Liberationist Philosophies, the Global South Liberationist movements, among other movements that are struggling for liberation in collective ways. We will uncover the need for the reign of God in the face of the continued rise of neo-liberalism. We will identify liberation as both topic & method for doing theology. We will endeavor to understand that all theology is ethics.
SPRING SEMESTER 2021
January – April 2021
Introduction to Preaching (8am to 10am)
taught by instructor Katherine Guerrero
In this course, we will develop your preaching gifts through practice. The class would follow a communal format where we will learn together through discussions and group analysis.
Each student will have the opportunity to share sermons with the class followed by group discussions where we will identify their key strengths and improvement points. We will learn strategies on how to read and prepare sermons taking into consideration our contexts as well as the theological and historical realities within scripture.
Christian-Rooted Community Development (11am to 1pm)
taught by various guest lecturers
This course will be taught by a variety of guest speakers with ample experience organizing latinx communities through mobilizing churches and other christian organizations.
We will discuss the ways congregations can develop and implement models for social action rooted upon the christian faith and tradition; one that guides us towards the spiritual and social transformation of all communities.
FALL SEMESTER 2020
August-December
Church History II (8am to 12pm)
taught by professor Ángel J. Gallardo
This course will be the continuation of Church History I taught last semester. This second part of the course will be a historical overview of the church beginning with the Reformation until this day.
The course will provide the church’s chronological, geographical and cultural development through these centuries. Students will be expected to learn how to talk, discuss and analyze these historical matters in order to enrich their theology, preaching, liturgy, biblical analysis and ministry.
New Testament (1pm to 5pm)
taught by professor Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez
This course will bring a panoramic vision of the New Testament – its formation, history, traditions and contemporary interpretations. Students will familiarize themselves with the historical, literal, social and cultural context of the New Testament. This course will offer opportunities to study and practice various exegetical methods for the student to learn to interpret and preach the New Testament in their ministerial contexts.
