Faculty & Staff

Jon Paulien, PhD

Dean

909-558-8434; x. 88434 on campus; jpaulien@llu.edu

Dr Paulien received his bachelor’s degree in theology from Atlantic Union College, which included a year abroad studying in West Germany. His MDiv degree (1975) and his PhD in New Testament (1987) were both earned from Andrews University.

Early in his career, Dr Paulien was a church pastor in New York and Michigan before attending graduate school. After teaching at the SDA Seminary at Andrews University for many years, he came to LLU in 2007 as Dean of the newly-formed School of Religion.

He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Adventist Society for Religious Study, and the Chicago Society for Biblical Research. He has also served on numerous committees and study projects within the Adventist Church and professional organizations. Dr Paulien is listed in Who’s Who in Religion, Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archaeology, Who's Who in America, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and the Directory of American Scholars.

Dr Paulien is a well-respected biblical scholar and a prolific writer. He has written dozens of book reviews, and has been published on topics relating to the history of the Adventist Church and the book of Revelation. He is a specialist in the Johannine literature in the new Testament (Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation), and the intersection of faith with contemporary culture. Many of his books have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, Japanese, and the Korean languages. He also takes special delight in seminars and presentations to non-specialists who can make practical use of the material in the real world.

Dr Paulien has traveled to the seven last cities mentioned in the book of Revelation and filmed a series of DVDs on location for the Hope Channel; written chapters on Daniel and Revelation and the apostle Paul for high school religion textbooks for the Adventist church; and conducted many television and radio interviews over the years. He is also a consulting editor of the Andrews University Seminary Studies.

Outside of academia, Dr Paulien enjoys being with his wife Pamella and their three children, and also enjoys travel, golf and photography when time permits.

Jon Paulien, PhD

Roy Branson, PhD.

Associate Dean

909-651-5091; x. 15091 0n campus; rbranson@llu.edu

Dr. Branson has been an active educator, mentor, ethicist, and advocate for social justice for many decades. He received his undergraduate degree from Atlantic Union College; earned a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago, and an MA in Religion from Andrews University; and his PhD in Religious Ethics from Harvard University in 1968.

Dr. Branson established the Christian Ethics program within the SDA Seminary’s Master of Divinity program while teaching at Andrews University (1967-’73). He has also held positions at Georgetown University as a senior research fellow at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, and as a professor of Ethics and Public Policy. While at Georgetown he also served on the Ethics Advisory Board of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Throughout his career Roy has been active in various causes from the civil rights movement to anti-smoking legislation, anti-poverty initiatives, and social, political and medical ethics. He has testified before congress, presented numerous lectures, and led student and professional groups advocating for improved health and safety here in the US and internationally. He is a past board member of Volunteers International Foundation, which is active in relief and development projects in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico, and Ethiopia.

He co-founded Spectrum magazine, an interdisciplinary quarterly journal, where he has been the editor since 1980 and continues to serve on the board of directors; was the founding editor of Religion and Tobacco Control, a newsletter of the Interreligious Coalition on Smoking OR Health (1992 - ); has served as president of the Association of Adventist forums, an independent organization (1970-72), and continues to serve on the executive committee of the board (1968-1972; 1975-present).

Outside of academia, Roy has been a member of the review committee and a media programs consultant for the National Endowment for the Humanities; served on the Advisory Committee to the Office of Human Relations, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists since 1984; and is a past-president of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies.

Dr Branson has presented numerous papers at professional and political events on topics ranging from church history and politics, to the changing role of the physician in health care. He has been widely published with articles in Christian and secular magazines and journals, as well as being the author of several books on a variety of topics including ethics and health policy to the Festival of the Sabbath.

In 2008 Dr Branson joined the LLU as the Associate Dean, and currently serves as the Director of the Center for Christian Bioethics on the LLU campus. He has hosted several Panel Discussions and Presentations, on issues such as “Adventist Advocates in the Public Square” and “The Healing of the Nations.”

Roy Branson, PhD

Ivan Blazen, PhD

Professor, Theological Studies

909-558-6268; x 46268 on campus; iblazen@llu.edu

Dr Blazen graduated from Emmanuel Missionary College (precursor to Andrews University) with his undergraduate degree, and received an MA in Biblical Greek from Potomac University in Takoma Park, Maryland. He also engaged in graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York, the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. In 1979 he received his PhD in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey.

He taught both at the undergraduate level and then for the SDA Seminary at Andrews University from 1972-1988. For eight years he served as chair of the New Testament Department. Dr Blazen originally joined the religion faculty at LLU in 1988 and taught for two years. Then, after a period of three years at Pacific Union College, he returned to Loma Linda in 1993 and has remained since on the School of Religion faculty.

In addition to teaching, Dr Blazen has written many articles for religious magazines and journals on the topics of salvation, hope, suffering, and sexuality from a biblical perspective; contributed chapters to several books; and has authored two books, with another in progress. Over the years he has been a guest speaker for camp meetings, religious conferences, church services, and professional meetings. He has also been involved for many years as a panelist on the weekly television program “Searching for Answers” on the Loma Linda Broadcasting Network (LLBN).

Dr Blazen has a deep appreciation for music. While still an undergraduate student, he played the trumpet and was a founding member of a brass quartet that played together for several years. Currently he, together with his wife Deanna, enjoys listening to classical music (his favorite genre), as well as spending time with family, which includes three daughters and five grandchildren.

Ivan Blazen, PhD

Mark F. Carr, PhD.

Professor

909-558-2092; x. 42092 on campus; mcarr@llu.edu

Dr Carr received his BA in Theology degree from Walla Walla College (1987), his MDiv in Pastoral Theology from Andrews University (1990), and his PhD in Religious Ethics from the University of Virginia (1998). He has been a fulltime faculty member of the LLU School of Religion since 1997.

Prior to his academic career, he served as an Adventist pastor in Alaska for four years. While working on his PhD at the University of Virginia he completed his internship in clinical bioethics at the UVA Medical Center, taught a class in Classical Islam, and was the editorial assistant for BIOLAW: A Legal and Ethical Reporter on medicine, Health Care, and Bioengineering. In addition, he was the 1995-96 recipient of the Stead Fellowship, awarded by the UVA Department of Religious Studies.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities Dr Carr has also served as the Program Director of the MA in Bioethics Program (1999-2010), and as the Director of the Center for Christian Bioethics at LLU (2001-2010). He holds membership in several professional organizations including the American Society for Bioethics and the Humanities, the Society of Christian Ethics, the American Academy of Religion, and the Adventist Society for Religious Studies.

Dr Carr has presented at many professional meetings, conventions, and medical and religious conferences throughout the country. His topics have included ethical issues related to stem cell research and genetic modification, end-of life ethical issues and decision-making, personal morality and professional ethics, and religion and culture in the workplace.

Mark has published several book reviews, and numerous articles in The Journal of Adventist Education, Second Opinion, Adventist Today, Dialogue, Spectrum, The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, The Journal of Palliative Medicine, The Journal of Clinical Ethics, and Nursing Ethics magazines.

He has also written several books: Life Philosophy and Moral Issue, a textbook for the North American Division of SDA Academy Curriculum Committee (1999); a Study Guide for Life Philosophy and Moral Issues, for Home Study International (2005); Passionate Deliberation: Emotion, Temperance, and the Care Ethic in Clinical Moral Deliberation, in the series Philosophical Studies in Contemporary Culture (2001); and World Religions for Healthcare Professionals, co-authored with fellow LLU faculty members Dr. Siroj Sorajjakool and Dr. Julius Nam (2009). He also edited and contributed to The Provonsha Lecture Series, 2006: On Physician-Assisted Suicide (2009).

Outside of academia, Mark is part of a family-owned commercial fishing endeavor where he spends summers salmon fishing. He volunteers in his local church teaching a Sabbath School class on contemporary issues, is a board member for a non-profit low-cost housing developer in Boise, Idaho, and consults on ethics education for the Centura Health Care Corporation. He enjoys traveling, and recently spent a well-earned sabbatical living and writing in France.

Mark Carr, PhD

Carla Gober, PhD, MS, MPH, RN

Director, Center for Spiritual Life & Wholeness
Assistant Professor, Relational Studies

Dr Gober received her undergraduate education from Southern Adventist University in nursing and religious studies, which included a year of study in England. She completed two master’s degrees from Loma Linda University; a MPH health education and promotion (1985), and a MS in marriage and family studies (1994). Dr. Gober completed her PhD in religious studies from Emory University (Atlanta, GA) in 2008, where her doctoral focus was in the area of attachment, memory and meaning. She joined the LLU faculty in 1997.

Dr Gober has worked as a marriage and family counselor, a specialist in spiritual care & grief therapy, and as a health educator. She was instrumental in developing the hospital-based multidisciplinary grief programs that currently exist at LLUMC, which have trained hundreds of professionals throughout the years in the area of grief. She is a frequent speaker at professional and spiritual care conferences around the US, in the areas of forgiveness, attachment, spirituality and healing, and wholeness.

Her interest in the area of wholeness resulted in the development of a six-page research instrument to test the concept of wholeness in an academic setting. This included using qualitative research to first define categories that would be used. After developing the survey instrument, it has subsequently been distributed to over 2000 LLU students. It was the basis for developing the University’s Wholeness Portal, an online resource for those interested in creating, maintaining, and fostering wholeness individually and for healthcare professionals in their patient care settings.

Dr Gober is also the Director of the Center for Spiritual Life & Wholeness at Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC), the umbrella corporation which manages the university and the medical center on campus. The Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness is dedicated to educating health care professionals across all disciplines on how to provide whole person care to their patients. The Center sponsors a number of programs to minister to the spiritual needs of students, staff, and patients.

Outside of academia Carla enjoys several recreational activities including biking, woodworking, and spending time in her orchard in a rural area close to Loma Linda.

Carla Gober, PhD, MS, MPH, RN

Ramona Hyman, PhD.

Associate Professor

909-651-5097; x. 15097 on campus; rhyman@llu.edu

Dr Hyman received her BA in English from Temple University (1979), and her MA in English from Andrews University (1986). She earned her PhD in English from the University of Alabama (2006). She has held faculty positions and been a writing specialist at Alabama A M University and Oakwood College (creative writing, drama, advanced composition, freshman composition, and world literature). Her research and teaching interests are African-American Literature and Creative Writing and Composition.

Dr Hyman is an accomplished poet and writer. She has been published extensively (articles, poetry, and short stories); published a book of original poetry in 2005; and has presented and performed at numerous academic and professional events for more than twenty-five years. She is the recipient of many awards and grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alabama Humanities Foundation Speaker’s Bureau, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. She also received the 1990 Artist in Residence grant through the Alabama Artist in the Schools Program. Dr Hyman has also lectured and performed extensively on the life of Rosa Parks as it relates to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.

She has been a consulting editor for Message magazine; a member of the judges panel for several creative writing contests; served as a member of the Huntsville (Alabama) Arts Council Design Team, which developed an Arts in Education program for the Huntsville City School District; and been selected as an adjudicator for three organizations -- the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alabama State Council on the Arts Presenter Grants, and the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Dr Hyman joined the LLU School of Religion in 2008 as the first Director of the newly-created Humanities Division within the School. She coordinates the Humanities curriculum for students across many of the university Schools, and has developed projects and programs to foster and encourage learning through the Arts.

Outside of academia, Ramona has served her church and community as a featured storyteller (Huntsville Historical Society Festival), as a fundraiser for the Leukemia Society (Birmingham, AL), and a creative writing teacher (“It Takes a Village” Youth Program). Dr. William Ferris, former director of the National Endowment for the Humanities, says Hyman’s skills as an actor and a writer are rare.

Ramona Hyman, PhD

Andy Lampkin, PhD

Assistant Professor

909-558-3414; x. 83414 on campus; alampkin@llu.edu

Dr Lampkin received his bachelor’s degree from Oakwood College, after which he earned two master’s degrees, both from Vanderbilt University; an MA in Theological Studies (1995), and an MA in Religion, Ethical Studies (1998). In 2000 he earned his PhD from Vanderbilt in Religion, Ethics, and Society.

Prior to joining LLU faculty in 2006 Dr Lampkin held teaching appointments at Tennessee State University, University College, and Oakwood University; and was the Adventist Health Study II Director at the Oakwood University Office. His research and teaching interests range from professional ethics, the SDA health teaching tradition, the role of clergy in disaster preparedness and response, and attitudes of Black Adventists to health.

Dr Lampkin has been published in professional and religious journals, as well as having written articles for peer-reviewed publications. He also received funding through the National Cancer Institute and conducted a four-year study on the “Barriers to Health Research Among African-American Seventh-day Adventists” from 2004-2008.

Andy has presented at numerous professional meetings and religious conferences on ethical issues in society and the Church, both historical and current. His topics have ranged from the controversy of the moral status of the human embryo, ethical issues surrounding stem cell research, the social crisis of HIV/AIDS, implications of the Genome Research Project, and ethical issues within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Throughout his adult life Dr Lampkin has served his community in various capacities. He has volunteered with organizations as diverse as the ACLU, the Tennessee State Legislature, a Youth-At-Risk Taskforce at Oakwood College, and serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Nashville. Since relocating to Loma Linda, he has served on many committees and special projects for the university and LLU Medical Center.

Outside of academia, Dr Lampkin enjoys walking on the beach and walking in the woods. His other passion has been restoring a 1972 Mustang over the past several years.

Andy Lampkin, PhD

David R Larson, DMin, PhD.

Professor, Ethical Studies

909-558-8103; x. 88103 on campus; dlarson@llu.edu

Dr Larson received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College. He went on to complete a DMin (1973) and a PhD (1983) at the Claremont School of Theology.

Early in his career, David served as a church pastor for the SDA church in Southern California. In 1974 Dr Larson joined the LLU faculty of religion and has taught ethics courses to students from many programs and Schools across campus. His areas of specialty include medical ethics, sexual ethics, philosophical ethics, and theological ethics. It was especially gratifying to Dr Larson to be part of the team that gained formal approval to establish a Center for Christian Bioethics on the LLU campus with voluntary contributions in 1983. He was also very instrumental in gaining approval to begin offering the MA in Bioethics at LLU in the early ‘90s.

He has served as Director of the Center for Christian Bioethics, and is a member of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies, the American Academy of Religion, the American Society for Bioethics and the Humanities, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Society of Christian Ethics. He is also a past president of the Association of Adventist Forums.

He has written extensively in professional and religious publications over the past few decades on topics such as “Sexuality and Christian Ethics,” “Money and Morality,” “Are Apartheid and Nuclear War Bioethical Issues?” “A Time to Die,” “Ethical Liability in Clinical Medicine,” and “The 1992 California ‘Death with Dignity’ Initiative.” His latest book, published in 2009 is “Christianity and Homosexuality: Some Adventist Perspectives.”

Outside of academia, David has varied interests which include going to the beach, horseback riding, travel, and growing small patio-size trees. He also enjoys working on two websites he created, where he shares his own writings as well as organizing and sharing information, articles, and thought-provoking ideas with his students and friends. You can visit him either at www.ponderanew.com or at www.somereligionstuff.com.

David Larson, PhD, DMin

Juhyeok (Julius) Nam, PhD.

Associate Professor

(909) 558-2338; x. 82338 on campus; jjnam@llu.edu

Julius Nam received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Andrews University (BA Religion - 1990; MA Religion, Systematic Theology - 1992). His PhD in Religion from Andrews (2005) is in Adventist Studies, specializing in Historical Theology. Before coming to the LLU School of Religion in 2006, Dr Nam taught at Pacific Union College, La Sierra University, and Andrews University. He has also taught conversational English and religion classes at the SDA Language Institute in Seoul, Korea.

Dr Nam has served in several pastoral roles: as a lead pastor in church planting in Santa Monica, California; in the LA Central Korean Church as the Associate Pastor for Young Adults; and as the Youth Pastor for Korean churches in Grand Rapids and Berrien Springs, Michigan. He was also a pastoral intern in Taegu, Korea where he was responsible for pastoral care, evangelism, and community outreach.

Outside the classroom, Dr Nam is active in a number of activities. He was a reporter for Business Korea magazine (1991-92); served as the editor of The Compass, a Korean-language religious publication based in Los Angeles (1992-95); and currently serves (since 2002) as the Director of Empower Ministry Group, Inc., a non-profit organization providing resources, training, and networking for Asian-American SDA lay leaders He also coordinates a major conference for this group annually.

Dr Nam has published several articles and book reviews, and presented a wide range of topics at professional meetings. He has also written and presented on Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, theology, and Ellen White; and has translated several religious articles, poems, and books into the Korean language. He is a member of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies, the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, and the Association of SDA Historians.

Juhyeok Nam, PhD

Johnny Ramirez-Johnson, EdD.

Professor

Dr Ramirez received his bachelor’s degree from Antillean College in Puerto Rico. He later earned two master’s degrees; an MA in Religion with concentration in Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) from Andrews University (1979), and a Master of Education, with a concentration in human development and psychology, from Harvard University (1988). He received his doctoral degree in Education from Harvard in 1993 with a concentration in cultural psychology applied to religion. He has been on the faculty of LLU since 1994.

Earlier in his career Dr Ramirez taught at the high school and college levels for Centro Adventista de Estudios Superiores (CADES) in Costa Rica, and was a church pastor in Honduras. During this time he also raised funds to launch a Christian radio station in Costa Rica, and held many evangelistic meetings in Central America. He also spent nine years at Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts on the faculty of religion and serving as campus associate chaplain. He has been an adjunct faculty member for many years, teaching courses in Peru, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Throughout his academic career Dr Ramirez has been involved in developing new academic programs, serving on committees for accreditation, academic affairs, educational effectiveness/assessment, and general education. He is a founding member of the Steering Committee for Social Justice at LLU, and has been involved in fundraising as a faculty ambassador for the Centennial Complex fundraising campaign.

Dr Ramirez has actively participated in volunteer service to the community and the Adventist Church, having served in advisory positions and as a consultant for various ministries of the Church. For many years he has also taught the Spanish language Sabbath School class at the LLU church, and continues to minister by preaching over 100 sermons per year, including evangelistic meetings, revivals, and youth rallies in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Lebanon. He has written many articles for professional journals, and has authored several books.

Outside of academia, Johnny enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Johnny Ramirez-Johnson, PhD

Siroj Sorajjakool, PhD.

Professor

909-558-3413; x. 83413 on campus; ssorajjakool@llu.edu

Dr Sorajjakool, a native of Thailand, earned his bachelor’s degree in Theology from Southeast Asia Union Seminary in Singapore (1982). He holds two master’s degrees; an MA Religion from Andrews University (Extension Campus at Spicer Memorial College, Pune, India – 1987), and an MA Theological Studies from Claremont School of Theology (1998). In 1999 Dr Sorajjakool also received his PhD in Theology and Personality (Pastoral Care and Counseling) from Claremont.

Dr Sorajjakool has extensive clinical experience, having earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units from the LLU Medical Center and VA Hospital in Loma Linda; the LLU Behavioral Medicine Center; and an additional CPE unit through the LLUMC Respiratory Intensive Care Unit and Oncology at the Behavioral Medicine Center. He also completed a pastoral care and counseling internship at Christian Counseling Service in Redlands, California. He has been a full-time faculty member since 1998 at LLU.

He has conducted research on the role of spirituality among patients being treated for depression, breast cancer, chemical dependence, and pain; and a study of cross-cultural factors enhancing female Thai AIDS patients’ ability to copy with terminal illness. In addition, he has authored numerous articles and books in both the English and Thai languages. They include “When Sickness Heals: The Place of Religious Belief in Healthcare;” “Spirituality, Health, and Wholeness: An Introductory Guide for Healthcare Professionals;” “Child Prostitution in Thailand: Listening to Rahab;” and “Negativity and Depression: The Principle of Non-trying in the Practice of Pastoral Care.” In 2009, he co-authored “World Religions for Healthcare Professionals.”

Dr Sorajjakool is a respected researcher and speaker outside the US, and has presented at conferences and symposiums in Thailand and Cambodia with topics ranging from ethics and tobacco prevention, spirituality and health, religious symbols and healing, and pastoral care and counseling.

Outside academia, Dr Sorajjakool has been involved in numerous projects and initiatives. One of his earliest volunteer experiences was assisting at the Mother Teresa’s Home for the Aged in Pune, India. From 1985-2002 he coordinated 19 micro-projects including health screening, personality assessment seminars, and construction of toilets, water tanks, and gravity-fed water systems. He also was granted funding for seven major water and agricultural projects from different agencies (AIDAB, CIDA, ADRA, Yip-insoi Foundation). He continues to fundraise and provide scholarships for 70 underprivileged children, medications for AIDS victims, and scholarships for at-risk girls in northern Thailand.

Dr Sorajjakool has also worked tirelessly to focus attention on the commercial sex trade and child prostitution in Thailand. Through his efforts, a member of the Thai Parliament, the Deputy Secretary General to the Thai Prime Minister, and the President of Young Northern Women’s Development Foundation were invited to speak at Claremont School of Theology, Claremont Graduate University, LLU, and other Thai communities in Southern California

Siroj Sorajjokool, PhD

Richard Rice, PhD

Professor, Theological Studies

909-558-3452; x. 83452 on campus; rrice@llu.edu

Dr Rice earned his MDiv degree from the Andrews University Theological Seminary in 1969. He received both his master’s degree (1972) and his PhD (1974) from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Early in his career he was a pastor at two churches in Southern California. He first joined Loma Linda University to teach religion courses in 1974; then, after spending almost fifteen years teaching religion at the undergraduate level at La Sierra University, Dr Rice re-joined the LLU faculty in 1998.

He has written extensive book reviews over the years, published in professional and religious journals; participated in numerous symposia; and authored several theological books.

Outside of academia, Rick enjoys traveling and spending time with his family, which includes two grand daughters.

Richard Rice, PhD

David L Taylor, PhD.

Professor

909-558-7008; x. 47008; dltaylor@llu.edu

Dr Taylor received bachelor’s degrees from Oakwood College and Pepperdine University; an MA in Applied Theology from Andrews University; and his DMin degree in American Christian History from Vanderbilt University in 1977. Early in his career he pastured churches in Central and Southern California, and served in many administrative positions in the Adventist Church (Youth Ministry, Stewardship Director, African-American Ministries Director), mostly in California. He has also served the Church as a Conference Secretary (1987-91), Conference Vice-President (1991-92), and then as President of Atlantic Union Conference (1992-94).

Dr Taylor joined the faculty of Oakwood College in 1973 where he taught religion and was a chaplain for several years. He also served as Chair of the Religion Department at Pacific Union College in California for several years. He joined the LLU faculty in 1995 where he has taught and served in administrative positions, as well.

Dr Taylor is a member of several professional societies, including the Andrews Society for Religious Studies, the American Academy of Religion, the American Christian History Society, and the Society of Biblical Literature. He also serves on various committees and is a member of the board for several religious and educational organizations.

Dr Taylor has presented papers at professional conferences; written articles for publication; and spoken at many church functions. His topics have included: “The Invisible Institution: The Religious/Historical Journey of the Black Christian Church;” “The African-American Military;” “History: Making the World Safe for Democracy;” “Surface to Depth: Learning History from Our Forefathers;” “Love with No Strings Attached: Volunteers–Compassionate Activists;” and “February, the Month of Real American History.”

Outside of academia, Dr Taylor has been a member of the singing group Christian Edition, a musical ministry he is passionate about, serving as group pastor and first tenor since 2001.

David L Taylor, PhD.

Sigve K. Tonstad, MD, MA, PhD.

Assistant Professor

909-558-2251; x. 42251 on campus; sktonsta@llu.edu

Dr Sigve Tonstad was born and raised in Norway, where he graduated from high school. His undergraduate experience took him to Middle East College in Beirut, an extension course in France, and he then completed his BA degree from Andrews University in 1974.

He is a medical doctor (MD from LLU in 1979), earned an MA in Biblical Studies from Loma Linda University (1990), and received his Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland (2005).

Dr Tonstad is board-certified in Internal Medicine both in Norway and the US, and is a member of the American College of Physicians. While practicing general and internal medicine in Norway, he also was the senior pastor at a Seventh-day Adventist church in Oslo from 1991-98. This keen interest in the integration of religion, science, and health care led to his pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, New Testament.

Dr Tonstad currently limits his medical practice to patients suffering from diabetes, as well as holding teaching appointments with both the School of Religion and the School of Medicine since returning to LLU in 2007. He has published numerous articles and essays in professional journals and Christian publications internationally; has presented at professional conferences; and is the author of five books on topics as varied as lifestyle and health to “the Scandals of the Bible.” His latest book was released in 2010 and is titled, “The Lost Meaning of the Sabbath” (Andrews University Press).

Sigve K. Tonstad, MD, MA, PhD.

James W. Walters, PhD.

Professor, Ethical Studies

909-558-7011; x. 47011 on campus; jwalters@llu.edu

Dr Walters received his undergraduate degree from Southern Adventist University and then completed his MDiv at Andrews University. He also earned a master’s degree and his doctoral degree from the Claremont Graduate School. He wrote is doctoral dissertation on “The Ethics of Martin Buber: A Theological and Philosophical Analysis.”

Before joining the Loma Linda faculty of religion in 1980 Jim was a minister for the Seventh-day Adventist church in Georgia and Southern California. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Christian Ethics, and the Andrews Society of Religion Scholars. He is a former executive editor of Adventist Today, and is a co-founder of the Center for Christian Bioethics at Loma Linda University.

His research has included the “Ethics and Aging Project,” funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities; and a recent four-year project funded by the National Institutes of Health – “Biological and Psychosocial Manifestations of Religion Study” – co-authored with a colleague.

Dr Walters has written a number of book reviews and is the author of several books exploring various facets of ethics surrounding nuclear war, health care for the elderly, ethics and aging, and a book on Martin Buber and feminist ethics. He has also written extensively for professional journals and religious publications on a wide range of subjects, as they relate to ethics. He has presented at professional and religious conferences over the past few decades on the ethical issues facing society today regarding aging, human cloning, organ transplantation, end-of-life care and decision-making, abortion, and many other sensitive topics.

Outside of academia, Dr Walters has volunteered as a member of the Claremont Ecumenical Council, as a Task Force member of the Association of Adventist Forums, and as a member of the board of elders at Loma Linda University Church. He also teaches a Sabbath School class on contemporary issues. He is an enthusiastic outdoorsman, and enjoys spending time hiking the Sierra Mountains.

James W. Walters, PhD