The Rev. Edwin David Aponte, B.A., M.A., M.A.T.S., and Ph.D. Research Professor of Latina/o and Latin American Christianity in the Center of World Christianity

The Rev. Dr. Edwin D. Aponte has been appointed a Research Professor of Latina/o and Latin American Christianity in the Center of World Christianity at New York Theological Seminary, effective December 1, 2010.  Dr. Aponte was most recently the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the Seminary, and Professor of Religion and Culture at Lancaster Theological Seminary.  He previously served as Director of Advanced Studies (2004-2006) and Associate Professor of Christianity and Culture (1998-2006) at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and before that from 1994-1998 as Director of the Institute for International and Cultural Studies at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, a program that included the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, the Center for Korean Studies, the Center for Africana Studies, the Center for Scandinavian Studies, and the Center for Latino Studies, each involved in many intercultural, international, and inter-religious initiatives.

Dr Aponte’s scholarship specializes in the intersection of religious faith and culture, Hispanic/Latino religions, African American religions, North American religious history, and congregational studies.  He is a co-editor of Handbook of Latina/o Theologies (Chalice Press, 2006) and co-author of Introducing Latino/a Theologies (Orbis Books, 2001).  He has received fellowships and research support from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, the Fund for Theological Education, the Hispanic Theological Initiative, Temple University, Southern Methodist University, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Fund for Graduate Education of the Presbyterian Church, (USA), The Louisville Institute, and the Lilly Endowment.

An ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, (USA), and a member of the Presbytery of Donegal in Pennsylvania, Dr. Aponte is a member of the Pastor Initiative Cluster of the Re-Forming Ministry Initiative, a national project of the Office of Theology and Worship, PCUSA.  Previously he served as Parish Associate at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas and in Grace Presbytery as Member, Vice-moderator, and Moderator of the Committee on Examinations; a term on the Presbytery Council; service as a Commissioner to the Synod of the Sun, which included membership on the Synod’s Higher Education Commission; membership on the Call Consultation Task Group of Grace Presbytery; and as a member of the Presbytery’s Administrative Commission for the United African Presbyterian Church.

The appointment as Research Professor is annual and renewable.  We welcome him to New York Theological Seminary where he will be involved in research and lecturing in the areas of Latino/a and Latin American theology and world Christianity, and look forward to an enduring relationship.