A Conversation Series Overview

A Conversation with Dr. Randall Pannell - June 22, 2025

Dr. Randall J. Pannell is a respected theologian, educator, and ordained minister with decades of leadership in Christian higher education. Before his foundational role at the New School of Biblical Theology (NSBT), Dr. Pannell served as Chief Academic Officer, Interim President, and Old Testament professor at North Greenville University, and previously held the positions of Chief Academic Officer, Academic Dean, and Old Testament professor at Regent University’s School of Divinity. A dedicated scholar, he holds a B.A. in Christian Studies and English Literature from Baylor University, an M.Div., and a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Pannell’s enduring passion for Scripture, leadership, and theological formation continues to shape both academic institutions and church communities. His current work in Public Theology reflects a deep commitment to engaging faith with real-world issues and fostering a theology of hospitality and inclusion rooted in the biblical narrative.

Click Here to watch the entire program from June 2025

A Conversation with Dr. Rev. A.R. Bernard, Sr. ~ 2021& 2024

Dr. Rev. A. R. Bernard, left a ten year banking career, to follow the call of God on his life to become the founding Pastor of Christian Cultural Center (CCC), New York’s largest house of worship.

A. R. Bernard served as President of the Council of Churches of the City of New York representing 1.5 million Protestants, Anglicans and Orthodox Christians. Dr. Bernard has a Master of Urban Studies and a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wagner College, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary.

Our Founding President, Dr. Bernard shares his Vision for the New School of Biblical Theology and then defines Public Theology.

Watch the entire program here:

April 2021 - https://youtu.be/AoXWVKaPo_M

June 2021 - https://youtu.be/rHTJILm-5I0

August 2021 - https://youtu.be/81ERr-fe1DA

February 2024 - https://youtu.be/PJ6wZ6r8ocw

March 2025 - https://youtu.be/zncAJQmeEmY

A Conversation with Dr. Francine L. Hernandez - January 26, 2025

Dr. Francine L. Hernandez is an ordained Baptist minister and a distinguished leader in pastoral care and education. A graduate of Columbus University with a degree in Sociology, she holds a Master of Divinity in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care from the Morehouse School of Religion at I.T.C., and a Doctorate of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Hernandez has held key roles in clinical pastoral education, including Director of Pastoral Care at New York Presbyterian Hospital and President of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, where she was the first woman of color to lead. Now retired, she continues teaching Clinical Pastoral Education via virtual platforms, shaping the next generation of pastoral caregivers.

In her latest book, CaveWalker: Utilizing a Psycho-Dynamic Approach to Pastoral Care, Dr. Hernandez addresses the challenges of ministering to individuals facing profound struggles. She critiques the reliance on spiritual bypassing and offers an alternative model that fosters deeper engagement and empowerment. By challenging the ‘Messiah Complex’ that often leads to burnout among clergy, her work invites ministers and caregivers to guide individuals in actively participating in their healing journey.

Click Here to watch the entire program from January 2025

Click Here (40:20-51:20), for Dr. Hernandez's benediction at a previous Seminar from December 2021.

A Conversation with Dr. Janice McLean-Farrell - October 29, 2023

Dr. Janice McLean-Farrell is the Dirk Romeyn Assistant Professor of Metro-Urban Ministry and Assistant Dean of Doctoral Studies at New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS).  She teaches in the areas of urban ministry, migration, research methods and community leadership and conducts research in the areas of religions of the African Diaspora, Christianity in the Caribbean, migration, parenting within immigrant families, urban immigrant youth and religion, immigrant churches in the Diaspora, and women and migration. Dr. McLean-Farrell is the author of West Indian Pentecostals: Living their Faith in New York and London (Bloomsbury, 2016)

Dr. McLean-Farrell serves on various committees at NBTS and on the steering committee of the Alliance for Black Pentecostal scholarship. She also co-chairs the World Christianity unit of the American Academy of Religion and is a member of the Vital Worship Grant Advisory Board for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin University.

Dr. McLean-Farrell will join us on Sunday, October 29th to discuss the migrant crisis by analyzing the images and narratives prevalent in recent years. It aims to investigate the multifaceted factors driving migration, including historical, economic, political, and spiritual aspects, while also considering biblical perspectives.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Justo Gonzalez - August 20, 2023

Justo Luis González, born on August 9, 1937, is a renowned Cuban-American historical theologian and Methodist elder, greatly contributing to the development of Latin American theology. He earned degrees from the University of Havana and the Evangelical Seminary of Theology in Cuba before becoming the youngest person to obtain a historical theology doctorate from Yale University. Over his career, González taught at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Now retired, he remains active as an adjunct professor at various theological institutions.

González is a leading figure in Hispanic theology and played a pivotal role in founding significant initiatives and organizations, such as the first academic journal related to Latino theology, Apuntes, and the Association for Hispanic Theological Education. Throughout his career, he has received recognition for his ecumenical work, including the Ecumenism Award from the Washington Theological Consortium. His contributions to Christian education include being the main narrator for the Christian Believer study course and authoring acclaimed textbooks like "The Story of Christianity" and the three-volume "History of Christian Thought."

As a prolific writer, González's impact extends far beyond academia, as he excels in bringing church history to life in engaging and relevant ways. His passion for the subject has transformed the perspectives of many, making him a highly respected figure in both theological and historical circles.

Click Here to Watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Jennifer Jones Austin - November 20, 2022

A fourth-generation leader of faith and social justice, Jennifer Jones Austin fights for equity. As CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), an anti-poverty, policy and advocacy organization. Jennifer brings to her work a profound understanding of the link between race, poverty, law and social policy in America, and the role religion plays.

Jennifer Jones Austin chairs several influential boards and commissions. She is the Visiting Professor for the New York University of Social Work, and the Scholar in Residence at Alliance University’s Center for Racial Reconciliation (CRR).

Jones Austin is the author of Consider It Pure Joy. Described as “a story that if not lived would make for a great novel”, it is the harrowing account of her year-long battle with a sudden, life-threatening illness, and the power of faith and community to transform desperation into joy.

She is also the editor of God in The Ghetto: A Prophetic Word Revisited, the re-release of her father, William Augustus Jones Jr.’s seminal work deconstructing the “System” of racism, capitalism and militarism all working in concert to continually oppress people of color.

It is in this book that we meet Jennifer within the course "Leadership in the Third Sector.”, which focuses on leadership issues in faith-based nonprofits. 

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Acosta ~ September 11, 2022

According to her mother, Lizette expressed a desire to be a pastor at the young age of four. It would take 20 years for Lizette to finally pursue that call. She completed dual bachelors in Philosophy and in Religion, followed by a Master in Divinity. Recently, she completed a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. Her dissertation, titled “A Missional Reading of First John: Understanding the Dual Love-Command,” argues that First John should be read missionally. In 2008, Lizette had to honor of being ordained through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Since those early years, her call has not changed. For 13 years, as the Director of the Latino Ministry Formation Program, Lizette served as a pastor, a mentor, and a teacher to her students. As a chaplain, she provided spiritual care to patients and staff. As a professor, she cares for both the mind and the heart/spirit of her students. No matter what the setting may be, Lizette’s constant prayer is to be known as one who loves.

Review a live discussion with Dr. Acosta as she shares with us her insights on Women in the bible.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Bacote ~ June 26, 2022

Dr. Vincent Bacote is an Associate Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL.

He is the author of the The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life (2015), The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper (2005), and has contributed to books including On Kuyper (2013), Aliens in the Promised Land (2013), Keep Your Head Up (2012) and Prophetic Evangelicals (2012).

He is a regular columnist for Comment Magazine and contributes to other magazines, including Books and Culture, Christianity Today, Think Christian and re:generation quarterly, and journals such as Christian Scholars Review, Urban Mission and the Journal for Christian Theological Research.

He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Christian Ethics.

He resides in the Chicago area with his family.

NSBT studies Dr. Bacote’s work during our 2nd-year course on Cultural Engagement & Public Theology taught by Dr. Dale Irvin.

Review a live discussion with Dr. Bacote as he shares with us his insights on public theology and the cultural mandate.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Wright ~ May 1, 2022

Dr. Archie Wright is the Executive Director of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. He is a Visiting Lecturer at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and the London School of Theology in London, UK. He serves as an adjunct faculty member at the New School of Biblical Theology.

He earned his Ph.D. at Durham University in England under the supervision of Professors Loren T. Stuckenbruck and C.T. Robert Hayward. Dr. Wright’s research focuses on the relationship between 2nd Temple Period Jewish Literature and the New Testament. His publications include the Origin of Evil Spirits, Satan and the Problem of Evil, and The Spirit Says: Inspiration and Interpretation in Ancient Jewish and Early Christian Texts along with other essays and journal articles.

At NSBT Professor Chaparro asks Professor Wright about his journey in studying, writing and teaching on the topic of Angels, Demons & the Spirits in the Ancient World.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Agosto ~ Feb 20, 2022

Dr. Efraín Agosto is currently the Croghan Bicentennial Professor in Biblical and Early Christian Studies at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Dr. Agosto had been Professor of New Testament Studies at New York Theological Seminary in New York City since 2011. Previously, he was Professor of New Testament and Director of the Programa de Ministerios Hispanos at Hartford Seminary.

At NSBT, Dr. Agosto points out issues in biblical leadership as discussed in his 2005 book, Servant Leadership: Jesus and Paul. He offered updated reflections on the issues presented in that book, focused on the Apostle Paul’s commendation of local leaders and what that teaches us for church leadership in 2022. The professor then engaged our students with a lively question & answer segment.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A conversation with Dr. AcolaTSe ~ Oct 3, 2021

Dr. Esther Acolatse is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Intercultural Studies and Director of Graduate Studies at Knox College, the University of Toronto, and the Toronto School of Theology. She describes herself as someone who teaches at the intersection of psychology and Christian thought as she explores global expressions of Christian faith, with special attention to the dialogue between African and Western expressions.

Among her publications is a chapter titled “Pastoral Authority and Responsibility: An African Traditional Leadership Model for Church Governance and Functioning” in African Practical Theology.

Professor Dale Irvin had a live discussion with Dr. Acolatse who shared insights on cultural engagement for leadership and pastoral care in diverse global contexts.

Click Here to watch the entire program.

A Conversation with Dr. Rev. A.R. Bernard, Sr. ~ 2021& 2024

Dr. Rev. A. R. Bernard, left a ten year banking career, to follow the call of God on his life to become the founding Pastor of Christian Cultural Center (CCC), New York’s largest house of worship.

A. R. Bernard served as President of the Council of Churches of the City of New York representing 1.5 million Protestants, Anglicans and Orthodox Christians. Dr. Bernard has a Master of Urban Studies and a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wagner College, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary.

Our Founding President, Dr. Bernard shares his Vision for the New School of Biblical Theology and then defines Public Theology.

Watch the entire program here:

April 2021 - https://youtu.be/AoXWVKaPo_M

June 2021 - https://youtu.be/rHTJILm-5I0

August 2021 - https://youtu.be/81ERr-fe1DA

February 2024 - https://youtu.be/PJ6wZ6r8ocw