Michael St. A. Miller Associate Professor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology Director of Cross-Cultural and International Programs Christian Theological Seminary 1000 West 42 nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 931-4219 mamiller@cts.edu Academic Training 1996, PhD, Philosophy of Religion and Theology Claremont Graduate School (Claremont Graduate University), Claremont, CA. Dissertation: Religion and the Caribbean: With Epistemological Considerations and Their Implications for Doing Theology in the Caribbean, directed by Prof. Karen Jo Torjesen. 1990, ThM, Historical and Doctrinal Studies Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA. Thesis: All Things Together in One: A Study on the Thought of Teilhard de Chardin with Emphasis on his Christology, directed by Prof. George Stroup. 1981, BA, Theology University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, WI. Diploma (Ministerial Studies) United Theological College of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, West Indies. Professional Experience Academic 2008 to present: Associate Professor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology & Director of Cross- Cultural and International Programs, Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), Indianapolis, IN. 2001-2007: Assistant Professor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology & Director of Cross- Cultural and International Programs (since 2002), Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN. Courses taught at CTS: Introduction to Theology Systematic Theology Christology Doctrine of God Contemporary Theology Holy Spirit and Church Theologizing in Context Theology, Spirituality, and Ethics The Theology of Reinhold Niebuhr Process Theology Mysticism MTS colloquium, co-taught with Prof. Marti Steussy Neuroscience and Theology MTS colloquium, co-taught with Prof. Marti Steussy Along with teaching, I serve as adviser for students in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programs. I participate in the development and examination of theses, capstone projects, and final projects.
Other Academic Tasks: I serve as an external examiner for the Post-Graduate program in Theology of the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), Kingston, Jamaica, WI. As Director of Cross-Cultural and International Programs at CTS: - Supervise the cross-cultural requirement for all Master of Divinity students. - Develop programs, collaborations, and special events to strengthen the cross-cultural and international component of the academic and communal life of CTS. - Participate in determining budgetary allocations for cross-cultural and international programs. - Help to process the applications of international students and give oversight of their welfare once they are present at CTS. - Serve as chair of the Advisory Committee for Cross-Cultural and International Programs. - Lead the coordinating team that plans the annual Saltsburg Distinguished Lecture Series. 2006 (Fall semester), Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OH I taught the required course Introduction to Systematic Theology. 1995-1999: Lecturer in Systematic Theology and History of Western Philosophy, and Warden, United Theological College of the West Indies, Mona (UTCWI), Jamaica, WI. Courses taught at UTCWI: Christology and Soteriology to the Reformation, Contemporary Christology and Soteriology, The Holy Spirit and the Church, The Trinity, Ideas about God, Introduction to Philosophy I (Pre-Socratic and Classical periods), Introduction to Philosophy II (Modern period). As Warden at UTCWI I was responsible for coordinating the material welfare and facilitating the ecclesiastical orientation of students associated with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. I also helped to supervise the pastoral interns of this denomination. Professional and Academic Association Membership American Academy of Religion American Theological Society (Midwest Division) I serve on the executive of this society. Association of (Disciples of Christ) for Theological Discussion Non-Academic 1999-2001: Chaplain, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ. I successfully restored and set on a sound footing the Chaplaincy to both students and faculty that had been in demise for some time. As official College Chaplain I collaborated with representatives from the Roman Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish communities to address the needs of students and organize inter-faith programs. 1999-2000: Interim Pastor, Bethel Presbyterian Church, East Orange, NJ. 1992-1995: Program Coordinator, International Students Center, Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA. 2
1984-1989: Member of Coordinating Team, Training in Mission Program, Council for World Mission (CWM), London, England. 1983-1989: Pastor, Hope United Church, Mona, Jamaica and Chaplain, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica, WI. 1981-1983: Pastor, James Hill Charge of United churches, Jamaica, West Indies. Teaching & Research Interests - Systematic and Philosophical Theology - The examination of Christian doctrines, informed by contemporary interdisciplinary insights. - Theological method. - The phenomenology of religious experience(s) associated with considerations that establish the significance of particularity and context in theological formulation. - Christian theology that reflects insights from inter-cultural and inter-religious exploration, and addresses issues of global welfare. - Liberation and Postcolonial theologies. - Caribbean Theology - The development of criteria and methodologies for inter-religious relations. - Contemporary Ecumenism - Contemporary Masculinities with implications for ecclesial and other social power relations. - Process Theology. - Pedagogical approaches that correspond with an organismic-ecological model for imaging global dynamics. Service to the CTS community Present: - Member of Outcomes Task Force for ATS evaluation of theological learning. - Member of Admissions Committee. - Member of the coordinating committee for the annual conference on Jewish-Christian Dialogue. Previous: - Chair of the Academic Council. - Member of the Steering Committee for CTS Self-Study process in preparation for reaccreditation. - Chair of Field III (Systematic and Philosophical Theology). - Member of the initial Antiracism/Pro-Reconciliation task force. - Member of Committee on Counsel. - Secretary to the faculty meeting. Other Relevant Experience - Faculty Representative to Board of Trustees, Christian Theological Seminary. - Board member Hispanic Summer Program. - Board member of the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center, Berea, KY. - Coordinator of Faculty Enrichment Colloquia, United Theological College of the West Indies. - Instructor in the Lay Training Program, United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. - Council Member, Council for World Mission, London, England. - Member of Faith and Order Commission, Caribbean Conference of Churches. - Jamaica Coordinator, Alternative Context Programs of Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, & Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. 3
Some Major Conferences and Seminars, Along with My Contributions 2011 International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, World Council of Churches, Kingston, Jamaica. * Participated on the Panel on Just Peace in Community. 2010 Meeting of Theologians of African Descent in America, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. * Made presentation on being a Caribbean Contextual Theologian in the US. 2009 World Forum on Theology and Liberation, Belem, Brazil. * Helped to lead workshop, in which I presented from the paper Towards an Appropriate Eco-Theology in the Caribbean. 2008 Meeting of the American Theological Society, Chicago, IL. *Presented the paper Theology That Celebrates Contextuality and Embraces Plurality, with response given by Prof. Ken Sawyer. 2007 WCC-CWM Consultation on Transforming Theology and Life-Giving Civilization, Hanmaunm Community, Chang Seong, South Korea. * Convener for discussion group on Transforming Theology. WARC Consultation on Gender, Power, and Leadership, Jumuia Conference Center, Limuru, Kenya. * Engaged in public dialogue with Dr. Fulata Moyo informed by my paper Masculinity, Race and Empire. 2004-2010 Annual Distinguished Lecture Series, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN (brings distinguished international scholars to CTS and Indianapolis). * I lead the team that plans and coordinates this event. 2003 Episcopal Appalachian Ministries conference, Charleston, West Virginia. * Made a formal presentation on Signs of Hope in Theological Education, and led discussion group. 2000 Annual Conference, Caribbean Studies Association, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies. * Presented paper: Caribbean Theology: Contending with Pluralism. 1998 International Consultation on Caribbean Theology, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. * Led the team that planned and coordinated the event. Meeting of the Network on Theological Inquiry, Hong Kong, China. * Presented paper: Impulses in Caribbean Theology * Participated in a series of presentations at Nanjing Theological Seminary, Nanjing, China. Meeting of the Executive of the Caribbean and North American Council on Mission, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad, West Indies. * Led Bible Study. 4
Mission Theology writing conference, High Leigh, England. * Contributed to the Theological Position Paper to inform the operation of the Council for World Mission. Conference of Caribbean Catholics, St. Michaels Theological Center, Mona, Jamaica, West Indies. * Presented paper: Towards a Dynamic Doctrine of the Holy Spirit 1997 Biennial Council meeting of the Council for World Mission, Gabarone, Botswana, Africa. * Led discussion group. 1994, 1995 Claremont Philosophy of Religion conference, Claremont, CA. 1986 Conference on Ecumenical Relations, World Council of Churches, Potsdam, Germany. Seminar in Experimental Bible Studies, Bossey, Switzerland. Other Presentations of Note Just Vision: Envisioning God s Realm, first of a five-part Lenten Series at Central Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN, entitled Just Living: Money, Justice, and Faithful Lifestyles, 2011. I helped to coordinate this series. Presentations at the Joint UCC/DOC Board of Global Missions Retreat-Conference: - Doing Justice with Mercy, 2010. - Interrogating Jesus s Cleansing of the Temple, 2009. - Mission on the Margins, 2008. - Still There Are Clouds, 2007 - Facing the Challenge of Yom Kippur, 2003. - Mission and Wholesome Coexistence, 2003. - Dynamics of Diaspora: Missiological Implications, 2002. - Toward the Crucified Mind, 2002. Process Relational Thought, with Special Consideration of Christological and Ecclesiological Implications a three-part presentation to the Indianapolis Jesus Seminar, 2007. Daring to be Unrealistic, Disciples Peace Fellowship meeting, Indianapolis, IN, 2002. Keeping the Dream Alive: The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Inaugural Keeping the Dream Alive Awards ceremony, Bloomfield College, NJ, 2000. Creativity in Religion, Library Committee sponsored seminar, Bloomfield College, NJ, 1999. Toward Liturgical Renewal, Liturgical Renewal Commission, UCJCI, Jamaica, West Indies, 1999. United into the 21 st Century: Give Us Wisdom, Give US Grace, three-part Bible Study Series, Biennial Synod, UCJCI, Jamaica, West Indies, 1999. Politics, Ethics, and the Future of Jamaican Society, UTCWI Graduate Seminar, Jamaica, West Indies, 1999. 5
Publications Books Freedom: Claiming the Evident and Reaching after the Possible (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group: forthcoming). Reshaping the Contextual Vision in Caribbean Theology: Theoretical Foundations for Theology which is Contextual, Pluralistic, and Dialectical (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2007). Book Chapter Mission in Pluralistic Contexts: A Caribbean Perspective, in Introduction to Disciples Theology, ed. Peter Heltzel (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2008). Articles He Said I Was Out Of Pocket: On Being a Caribbean Contextual Theologian in a Non- Caribbean Context, Black Theology: An International Journal, London, UK, (forthcoming). Caribbean History and the Quest for Freedom: Yearnings, Frustrations, and Lingering Hopes for Freedom, Encounter (forthcoming). Pursuing a Program, Envisioning a Future, Encounter 72, No. 1, (Spring 2011). Caribbean History and the Quest for Freedom: Freedom, Further Undermined but Unconquered, Encounter 71, No. 3 (Summer 2010). Caribbean History and the Quest for Freedom: Freedom Lives in Plunder, Resistance, and Compromise, Encounter 71, No. 2 (Spring 2010). How Men Handle Stress, in Created in God s Image: From Hegemony to Partnership, ed. Pat Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Philip Vinod Peacock, World Communion of Reformed Churches and World Council of Churches, (Geneva: SRO-Kundig, 2010). Personality Development and an Antiracist/Pro-Reconciliation Agenda, Encounter 68, No. 1 (Winter 2007). Eschatology and Ecclesiology: Reflections Inspired by Revelation 21:22, Encounter 64, No. 2 (Spring 2003). Dialectical Contextualism: Anatomy and Application, Encounter 64, No. 1 (Winter 2003). Impulses in Caribbean Theology, in Papers from Network on Theological Inquiry, ed. Preman Niles, (CWM: October 1998). Theology: Challenges of the 21 st Century, Theologue, UTCWI (1997). 6
Review of Religion and Revolution in the Modern World: al Shariati s Islam and Persian Revolution, by Naghi Yousefi, Journal of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, UWI (June/September, 1995). Popular Media The New Wind: A Theological Challenge published in The Gleaner (The major Jamaican newspaper), August 22, 2010. See: http://jamaicagleaner.com/gleaner/20100822/focus/focus7.html. Lectionary Notes for 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th Sundays of Epiphany, Year C 1/24/07, 1/04/07, 1/11/07 (in collaboration with Charles Allen and Helene Russell) Web publication: Out in Scripture series (The Human Rights Campaign). See: http://www.hrc.org/scripture. Lectionary Notes for 25 th, 26 th, and 27 th Sundays in Ordinary time, Year B 9/24/06, 10/01/06, 10/08/06 (in collaboration with Charles Allen and Holly Hearon) Web publication: Out in Scripture series (The Human Rights Campaign). See: http://www.hrc.org/scripture. 7