Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5650
Fax: (626) 815-5468
Email: dthorsen@apu.edu
Office Location: West Campus, Duke 224
Office Hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday mornings
Personal Home Page: http://home.apu.edu/~dthorsen/
Don Thorsen, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Advanced Studies; Professor of Theology, C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology
School of Theology
Profile
Don Thorsen, Ph.D., has served at C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology since 1988. In addition to being widely published, Thorsen travels internationally, presenting on various theological topics. He has been an associate/contributing editor to Christianity Today, Light and Life, and Christian Scholar’s Review. Thorsen teaches both graduate and undergraduate classes and holds membership in such societies such as the American Academy of Religion, Wesleyan Theological Society, and Oxford Institute.
Education
Ph.D. – Theological and Religious Studies, Drew University, 1988
M.Phil. – Theological and Religious Studies, Drew University, 1984
Th.M. – Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1982
M.Div. - Asbury Theological Seminary, 1980
B.A. – Religious Studies, Stanford University, 1977
M.Phil. – Theological and Religious Studies, Drew University, 1984
Th.M. – Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1982
M.Div. - Asbury Theological Seminary, 1980
B.A. – Religious Studies, Stanford University, 1977
Professional/Scholarly Presentations
Presentations
"Ecumenism, Spirituality, and Holiness: John Wesley and the Variety of Christian Spiritualities." Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Theological Society, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, March 5, 2005.
"Theology of John Wesley." Lecture Series, Holy Light Theological Seminary, Kaohsinng, Taiwan, February 3-6, 2004.
"Decision, Decisions: Wesley Helps Us Today." Wesley Memorial Lecture, Seoul Theological University, Bucheon City, South Korea, May 27, 2003.
"Wesley and the Varieties of Postmodernism." Sungkyul University, Anyang City, South Korea, May 29, 2003.
"The Unbearable Wholeness of the Trinity: The Trinity as Transforming Symbol for the Poor." Ninth Oxford Institute for Methodist and Theological Studies, Oxford University-Sommerville College, Oxford, England, August 13, 1997.
Publications
Thorsen, D. (forthcoming in 2008). An Invitation to Theology: Exploring the Full Christian Tradition. Peabody, Massachusettes: Hendrickson.
Thorsen, D. (2006). "Why Wesley Makes a Difference: The Wesley Quadrilateral in Contemporary Theology," Festschrift for Lane Scott, Ed. John Park. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press.
Thorsen, D. (2006, Spring). "Ecumenism, Spirituality, and Holiness: Wesley and the Variety of Christian Spiritualities," Wesleyan Theological Journal, 41.1.
Thorsen, D. (2003). "Interpretation in Interactive Balance: The Authority of Scripture for John Wesley," Reading the Bible in Wesleyan Ways. Eds. Richard P. Thompson and Barry L. Callen. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press.
Thorsen, D. (2001). "Reuniting the Two So Long Disjoined: Knowledge and Vital Piety," Heart of the Heritage. Eds. Barry L. Callen and William C. Kostlevy. Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishing Company.
View All Professional/Scholarly Presentations
"Ecumenism, Spirituality, and Holiness: John Wesley and the Variety of Christian Spiritualities." Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Theological Society, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, March 5, 2005.
"Theology of John Wesley." Lecture Series, Holy Light Theological Seminary, Kaohsinng, Taiwan, February 3-6, 2004.
"Decision, Decisions: Wesley Helps Us Today." Wesley Memorial Lecture, Seoul Theological University, Bucheon City, South Korea, May 27, 2003.
"Wesley and the Varieties of Postmodernism." Sungkyul University, Anyang City, South Korea, May 29, 2003.
"The Unbearable Wholeness of the Trinity: The Trinity as Transforming Symbol for the Poor." Ninth Oxford Institute for Methodist and Theological Studies, Oxford University-Sommerville College, Oxford, England, August 13, 1997.
Publications
Thorsen, D. (forthcoming in 2008). An Invitation to Theology: Exploring the Full Christian Tradition. Peabody, Massachusettes: Hendrickson.
Thorsen, D. (2006). "Why Wesley Makes a Difference: The Wesley Quadrilateral in Contemporary Theology," Festschrift for Lane Scott, Ed. John Park. Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press.
Thorsen, D. (2006, Spring). "Ecumenism, Spirituality, and Holiness: Wesley and the Variety of Christian Spiritualities," Wesleyan Theological Journal, 41.1.
Thorsen, D. (2003). "Interpretation in Interactive Balance: The Authority of Scripture for John Wesley," Reading the Bible in Wesleyan Ways. Eds. Richard P. Thompson and Barry L. Callen. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press.
Thorsen, D. (2001). "Reuniting the Two So Long Disjoined: Knowledge and Vital Piety," Heart of the Heritage. Eds. Barry L. Callen and William C. Kostlevy. Salem, Ohio: Schmul Publishing Company.
View All Professional/Scholarly Presentations
Professional Experience
Consulting Engagements
Associate Editor for Theology, Christian Scholar's Review, 1993-2001
Consulting Editor, Christianity Today, 1993-present
Industry Experience
Associate Editor for Theology, Christian Scholar’s Review, 1993-2001
Contributing Editor, Light and Life, 1997-2001
Associate Editor for Theology, Christian Scholar's Review, 1993-2001
Consulting Editor, Christianity Today, 1993-present
Industry Experience
Associate Editor for Theology, Christian Scholar’s Review, 1993-2001
Contributing Editor, Light and Life, 1997-2001
Professional Involvement and Accomplishments
Honors, Awards, Recognition
Teaching Award for Haggard Graduate School of Theology, 2002
Provost Award for Publications, 1999
Granted honor of serving as the Visiting Scholar at Point Loma Nazarene College in the Wesleyan Center for 21st Century Studies, 1996
Associations, Boards, Committees
Representative of Wesleyan Theological Society, Commission on Faith and Order, National Council of Churches
Chair of Ecumenical Studies, Wesleyan Theological Society
American Academy of Religion
Oxford Institute
Polanyi Society
Teaching Award for Haggard Graduate School of Theology, 2002
Provost Award for Publications, 1999
Granted honor of serving as the Visiting Scholar at Point Loma Nazarene College in the Wesleyan Center for 21st Century Studies, 1996
Associations, Boards, Committees
Representative of Wesleyan Theological Society, Commission on Faith and Order, National Council of Churches
Chair of Ecumenical Studies, Wesleyan Theological Society
American Academy of Religion
Oxford Institute
Polanyi Society
Expertise
Church History
Theology and Religion
Wesley Studies
Courses Taught
Freshman Writing Seminar (ENGL 110)
History of Christian Spirituality (GDMN 710)
Theology for Spiritual Formation (GDMN 720)
God, Creation, and Humanity (GTHE 504)
History of the Modern Church (GTHE 513)
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church (GTHE 514)
Interdisciplinary Seminar in Theology (GTHE 534)
The Theology of John Wesley (GTHE 544)
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 220)
Theology and the Christian Life (THEO 303)
History of Christian Spirituality (GDMN 710)
Theology for Spiritual Formation (GDMN 720)
God, Creation, and Humanity (GTHE 504)
History of the Modern Church (GTHE 513)
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church (GTHE 514)
Interdisciplinary Seminar in Theology (GTHE 534)
The Theology of John Wesley (GTHE 544)
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 220)
Theology and the Christian Life (THEO 303)
Note: This information is current for the 2007-08 academic year. To view 2008-09 program information, visit the Academic Catalogs page. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.
