Dr. Isuwa Atsen
Assistant Professor of Theology
Education
Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, 2019
M.A., Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California, 2013
M.A., ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, 2007
B.A., ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, 2001
Associated Academic Programs
Theology and Christian Ministry“I see teaching as a form of discipleship, and I deeply enjoy seeing the growth that takes place in the lives of students.”
In the classroom, Dr. Isuwa Atsen emphasizes one key takeaway for his students: The ability to situate their personal stories in the story of God. “I want them to see that life (their lives) has ultimate purpose only in God and from God.”
Atsen also believes that “Christian theological understanding is foundational to living purposeful lives because it helps us to better understand how we got here on earth and why we are here. It helps us to understand what God has done, is doing, and will do in the world, and what roles we all have in God’s grand scheme of things.”
What drew him to Trinity:
Atsen was drawn to the opportunity to participate in the formation of students. “I was also attracted to Trinity because of the opportunity for growth and flourishing in my personal life and Christian vocation.”
Research interests:
Finding the balance between affirming diversity and fostering unity in Christian theology is the focus of Atsen’s research. “While it is a very good thing for different voices to be heard and appropriated in the task of doing Christian theology, it must not be used as an excuse for theological division or disunity. As such, my research pursues the harmonization of different approaches to doing theology in such a way that fosters Christian unity.”
When he is not teaching:
Atsen enjoys spending time in prayer, working on research projects, doing chores around the home, and watching a good action movie.
Book
Method in Global Christology: Weaving a Three-Stranded Cord. Carlisle: Langham Publishing, upcoming (2023).
Publications and Book Chapters
“The Temple as a Framework for Christological Imagination.” African Journal of Evangelical Theology. Upcoming, 2022.
“African Theological Methodology in Light of the Reformation.” In Reformation and Theological Education in African Context(s): Gedenkschrift for Prof. Timothy Palmer. Edited by Justina K. Damap, Dogara I. Manomi, and Zaka P. Ahuche. Bukuru: ACTS, 2022.
“Philipp Melanchthon’s Lutheranish Theological Methodology: Implication for African Theological Discourse.” In Luther in African Contexts: A Festschrift in Honor of Rev. Assoc. Prof. James J. Reynolds. Edited by Dogara I. Manomi, Zaka P. Ahuche, and Peter A. Bartimawus. Kaduna: Prudent, 2022.
“Self-Defence and a Phronetic Use of Violence: A Christian Response to Muslim-mob Attacks in Northern Nigeria.” International Journal of Public Theology 15, 4 (2021): 496-512, doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/15697320-01540016
“Towards a Global Analytic Christology.” Trinity Journal 42 NS, No. 2 (2021): 167-184.
“Ecclesial Authority in African Christianity: Biblical, Theological, and Cultural Considerations.” Journal of Contextual Theology Vol. 1 (Dec 2021): 35-48.
“Divine Grace, the Human Will, and the Nature of Salvation.” Testamentum Imperium: An International Theological Journal Vol. 6 (2018). http://www.preciousheart.net/ti/2020/
- + Expertise
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In the classroom, Dr. Isuwa Atsen emphasizes one key takeaway for his students: The ability to situate their personal stories in the story of God. “I want them to see that life (their lives) has ultimate purpose only in God and from God.”
Atsen also believes that “Christian theological understanding is foundational to living purposeful lives because it helps us to better understand how we got here on earth and why we are here. It helps us to understand what God has done, is doing, and will do in the world, and what roles we all have in God’s grand scheme of things.”
What drew him to Trinity:
Atsen was drawn to the opportunity to participate in the formation of students. “I was also attracted to Trinity because of the opportunity for growth and flourishing in my personal life and Christian vocation.”
Research interests:
Finding the balance between affirming diversity and fostering unity in Christian theology is the focus of Atsen’s research. “While it is a very good thing for different voices to be heard and appropriated in the task of doing Christian theology, it must not be used as an excuse for theological division or disunity. As such, my research pursues the harmonization of different approaches to doing theology in such a way that fosters Christian unity.”
When he is not teaching:
Atsen enjoys spending time in prayer, working on research projects, doing chores around the home, and watching a good action movie.
- + Publications & Research
-
Book
Method in Global Christology: Weaving a Three-Stranded Cord. Carlisle: Langham Publishing, upcoming (2023).
Publications and Book Chapters
“The Temple as a Framework for Christological Imagination.” African Journal of Evangelical Theology. Upcoming, 2022.
“African Theological Methodology in Light of the Reformation.” In Reformation and Theological Education in African Context(s): Gedenkschrift for Prof. Timothy Palmer. Edited by Justina K. Damap, Dogara I. Manomi, and Zaka P. Ahuche. Bukuru: ACTS, 2022.
“Philipp Melanchthon’s Lutheranish Theological Methodology: Implication for African Theological Discourse.” In Luther in African Contexts: A Festschrift in Honor of Rev. Assoc. Prof. James J. Reynolds. Edited by Dogara I. Manomi, Zaka P. Ahuche, and Peter A. Bartimawus. Kaduna: Prudent, 2022.
“Self-Defence and a Phronetic Use of Violence: A Christian Response to Muslim-mob Attacks in Northern Nigeria.” International Journal of Public Theology 15, 4 (2021): 496-512, doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/15697320-01540016
“Towards a Global Analytic Christology.” Trinity Journal 42 NS, No. 2 (2021): 167-184.
“Ecclesial Authority in African Christianity: Biblical, Theological, and Cultural Considerations.” Journal of Contextual Theology Vol. 1 (Dec 2021): 35-48.
“Divine Grace, the Human Will, and the Nature of Salvation.” Testamentum Imperium: An International Theological Journal Vol. 6 (2018). http://www.preciousheart.net/ti/2020/