Name: Lael Caesar
Present Status
Blissfully wed to Lena, Asst. professor of Speech Language Pathology, Andrews University; children: Lloyd, Physics junior, & La Vonne, English & Psychology freshman, both at Andrews University
Present Position
Associate professor of Religion
Andrews University; Berrien Springs MI 49104
Tel (616) 471-3184; home: 471-9139
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Hebrew & Semitic Studies, University of Wisconsin (UW) Madison, December, 1991:
Secondary concentration: Greek & Comparative Literature.
M.A., Hebrew & Semitic Studies, UW Madison, August, 1988.
M.A., Religion, Andrews University (AU), August, 1986:
(major: Biblical Languages; minors: Biblical Archaeology; Old Testament (OT).
B.Th. (hons.), Caribbean Union College (CUC), June 1973
(major: New Testament Greek.)
A.A., Secondary Teacher Training, CUC, June 1970.
HONORS & AWARDS
Teacher of the Year Award, College of Arts & Sciences, 1998-99
BSCF Faculty-Staff Award, 1997-98
Teacher of the Year Award, School of Theology, Montemorelos University,
Montemorelos, NL, Mexico, 1994
Advanced Opportunity Fellowships, School of Graduate Studies, UW Madison,
Fall 1986 through Spring 1990
Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning (WSJL) Mansoor Award, 1990
WSJL Scholarships (three), Fall 1987 through Spring 1989
Hebrew Studies Alumnae Award, 1988
RESEARCH
"Correlations Between Gospel Ministry & Biblical Archaeology." A
comparison of attitudes among various groups of pastors, biblical scholars,
seminary professors and students, in the area of Biblical Archaeology".
January 1997 to present. Grant award #11-0740-9591-75-074003, Andrews University
Office of Scholarly Research, $4,500.00.
"An Archaeological History of the Ancient Near East." A reexamination
of the presuppositions which govern dating schemes in Palestinian archaeology.
University of Montemorelos (UM) research award, Spring 1995
Ph.D. dissertation: "Character in Job." A study which aims to define
the rhetorical personae of the major characters of the book of Job. UW
Madison, December 1991; advisor: Michael V. Fox
Graduate Research Paper: "The Cairo Damascus Document: A Review." Winner
of UW Madison Hebrew Studies Alumnae Award, Spring, 1988
Research Assistant, Dept. of Hebrew & Semitic Studies, UW Madison:
Assisted in research and writing of popular commentaries on books of Exodus
& Leviticus, under Prof.Keith Schoville; prepared bibliography
for departmental seminar on "Documents of the Judean Desert," for Prof.
Michael V. Fox, Summer, 1987
M.A. thesis: "The Meaning of Yayin in the OT." AU, August, 1986;
advisor, Richard Davidson
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
*Visiting Professor, Solusi University, Zimbabwe, summer 1999
*Faculty member, Center for College Faith, Andrews University, 1998 to
present
*Courses in OT (particularly on Hebrew Grammar, writings of Pentateuch,
History, Poetry, Wisdom, Daniel),
Andrews
University, June, 1996 to present
*Courses in undergraduate Greek, OT, Biblical Stewardship, at UM, Mexico,
and the SDA Theological seminary,
Havana, Cuba, January 1992-June 1996
*Adjunct professor of OT, Andrews University Theological Seminary M.A.
in Religion program,
Montemorelos,
Mexico; Port-au-Prince, Haiti [extension campuses], June 1992 to present
*Associate professor of OT, Biblical Stewardship, in the M.A. in Pastoral
Theology Program, UM, Mexico, 1993-1996
PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
Chaplain, Adventist Information Ministries, Berrien Springs MI, January
1985-August, 1986
Pastor, East Caribbean Conference (ECC) of SDA, Barbados, WI, January
1980 to July 1984
Campus Chaplain, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados,
Fall 1981 to Summer 1984
ECC Director of Stewardship & Development, Summer 1982 to Summer
1984
ECC Director of Youth, Health & Temperance Departments, Summer 1981
to Summer 1982
District Pastor, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, February, 1980 to
Summer 1981
District Pastor, Guyana Conference of SDA, June 1973 to June 1978
FURTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Field Supervisor, Madaba Plains Archaeological Project, Hisban, Jordan,
1997 & 1998 seasons
President, Academy of Religion, University of Montemorelos, Montemorelos,
NL, Mexico, 1993-96
Consultant, United Bible Societies, Africa Division, 1995
Sponsor, Federated Student Body, University of Montemorelos, Montemorelos,
NL, Mexico, 1993-94, 1994-95
Door to door salesman: Children's books, Health Encyclopedias, etc.,
summer of 1972; June 1978 through
September 1979; summer of 1987.
MAJOR COMMITTEES
*Institutional Review Board, Andrews University, 2000 to present
*Biblical Research Institute Advisory Commitee, General Conference of SDA, 2000 to 2005
*Executive Committee, Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 1999
*Scholarly Research Committee, Andrews University, 1998 to present
*Spiritual Development Committee, Andrews University, 1998 to
present
*Executive Committee, Center for College Faith, Andrews University, 1998
to present
*Lay Advisory Commitee, Michigan Conference of SDA, 1997 to present
*Hispanic Evangelism Committee, Michigan Conference of SDA, 1997
*Standing committee on Research, University of Montemorelos, Montemorelos,
NL, Mexico, 1994
*Ad hoc Committee on Research, University of Montemorelos, Montemorelos,
NL, Mexico, 1993
*Editorial Committee, Dinámica, 1992-1996
*Conference Executive Committee, Wisconsin Conference of SDA, 1987
*Conference Executive Committee, East Caribbean Conference of SDA, Barbados,
West Indies, September 1981
to July 1984
*Conference Executive Committee, Guyana Conference of SDA, Georgetown,
Guyana, 1975-1978
PUBLICATIONS
*"Implicaciones de la resurrección," Enfoque, April 2001 (forthcoming)
*"Why Am I a Seventh-day Adventist?" Adventist Review (forthcoming)
*Hill, Andrew E. Malachi: A New Translation with Introduction & Commentary. Anchor Bible Series, vol. 25D,
AUSS 38 (2000) 328-330
*Book Review: Hess, Richard S, & Wenham, Gordon J., eds., Make the Old Testament Live: From Curriculum to
Classroom; AUSS 38 (2000) 327-328
*“Bildad, Superior Rhetorician,” Creation, Life, and Hope, ed. JiÍí Moskala, (Berrien Springs, MI: OT Dept,
SDA Theological Seminary, 2000) 127-138
*“Job As
Paradigm for the Eschaton,” JATS 11/1-2 (2000) 148-162**
*“Storms and
Anchors,” Adventist Review, NAD edition, September, 2000, pp. 8-11
*“The Issue of Suffering: Nine Christian Responses,” JATS 10/1-2 (1999) 73-89**
*"Job: Another New Thesis,"
VT 49:4 (October, 1999) 435-447**
*"El más grande de los orientales," Enfoque, October,
1999, pp. 4-6
*"Como aprovechar el culto divino," Mundo Joven, July,
1999, pp. 12, 13.
*"Dedication to Alejandro." Adventist Review, May 27, pp. 23-26
*Book Review: Stephen Breck Reid, Listening In: A Multicultural Reading
of the Psalms; AUSS 37 (Spring, 1999) 144-146
*Book Review: Peter Enns, Poetry & Wisdom; AUSS 37 (Spring,
1999) 111-113
*Book Review: Elmer A. Martens, Old Testament Theology; AUSS (Spring,
1999) 131-133
*"Job: Una tesis sobre la integridad," 2nd part, Ministerio
Adventista (May-June, 2000) 26-30
*"Job: Una tesis sobre la integridad," 1st part, Ministerio Adventista (July-August, 1999) 16-18
*"The Greeting," "Homicide," "The Other Side," Parnassus, 1999
*"To the Chief Musician: Psalm 8." Adventist Review, April 29,
1999, p. 11
*"Ir o no al cine."Mundo Joven, January, 1999, p. 11
*"Servant Perceptions of Service", with Hinsdale Bernard. Papers of
the Annual Meeting, Adventist Society for
Religious Studies, (November
1998), pp. 109-117
*"Talking and Listening: Renewal Through the Pain of Dialogue (Job 42)."
Papers
of the Annual Meeting,
Adventist Society for Religious Studies, (November
1997) 16-23.
*"Report on Survey of Attitudes Toward Biblical Archaeology Within African
American Ministry". Papers of the
Annual Meeting, Adventist Society
for Religious Studies, (November 1997) 93-97.
*"Aprendizaje Cooperativo en el aula de teología: La experiencia
mexicana." Revista de educación adventista (7:1997)
5-8.
*"Les groupes d'étude en classe de théologie: l'experience
mexicaine." Revue d'éducation adventiste (7:1997) 5-8.
*"Cooperative Learning in a Mexican Seminary Classroom." Journal of
Adventist Education (Summer, 1997) 39-42.
*Book Review: David Wolfers, Deep Things out of Darkness; AUSS
35 (1997) 306-308.
*"No huyas del hogar." Mundo Joven May, 1997, p. 11.
*"Bondades del ejército." Mundo Joven, April, 1997, p.
11.
*"Iniciativa romántica." Mundo Joven, February, 1997, pp.
14, 15.
*"What the Mayor Thought," Parnassus, 1997, p. 15.
*"La salud y la crisis final." Dinámica 17:1 (Nov-Dec,
1996) 3-7.
*Monthly magazine column, "En terreno biblico," Mundo Joven:
"Dudas justas." (December, 1996), p. 11.
"¿Mascotas inmundas?" (November 1996), p. 11.
"Ejercicio sabático." (October, 1996), p. 11.
"Los que aman su venida." (September, 1996), p. 11.
"El sufrimiento." (August, 1996), p. 11.
"Disciplina: ¿Una muestra de amor?" (July, 1996), p. 11.
"Verdura." (June, 1996), p. 11.
"Citas que confunden," part 2. (May, 1996), p. 11.
"Citas que confunden," part 1. (April, 1996), p. 11.
"Mis sueños se cumplen a veces." (March, 1996), p. 11.
"El juicio de los pintados." (February, 1996), p. 6.
"¿Podemos tomarnos de la mano?" (January, 1996), p. 11.
*"Examining Validity: The Bible as Text of History." Christ in the
Classroom, vol. 16; Institute for Christian Teaching,
GC Education
Dept., 1996, pp. 1-19.
*"Fooling Around With God's Seal." CQ (July-September, 1995) 101.
*Book Review: Robert Alden, The New American Commentary: Job; AUSS
33 (1995) 103-105.
*"Holy Radicalism." CQ (April-June, 1994) 13.
*"La Biblia: Un panorama histórico." Encuentro teológico
2 (enero, 1993) 4-7.
*"Ha establecido un día." Encuentro teológico
2 (enero, 1993) 12.
*"The Circle: Anti-Protest." Equity 3, no. 1 (April 1987) 5.
*"¿Lleva Satanás la voz cantante? Dinámica
13:81 (1992) 27-31.
PAPERS, SEMINARS
“‘Yet From My Flesh I Shall See God’: A Reexamination of the Concept of the Resurrection in Job,” ETS National Meeting, Nashville, TN, (November 2000)
“Why Am I Still a Seventh-day
Adventist?” ASRS National Meeting, Nashville, TN, (November 2000)
“One Nation Under God, Indivisible,” ATS Bible Conference, Madison, TN, (November 2000)
“How to Read the Bible,” Seminar presentation, Ecorse SDA Church, (October 2000)
“How to Read
the Bible,” Seminar presentation, Ypsilanti SDA Church, (September 2000)
“A Faith for
Earth’s Last Deception,” ATS International Bible Conference, Toronto, Canada
(June, 2000)
“Evangelical Responses to the Problem of Pain: A Critique”, ETS Midwest Region meeting, St.Louis Christian College, St. Louis, MO, (April 1, 2000)
“Wily
Enemies, Guileless Saints,” ATS Symposium on Eschatology, Andrews University,
Berrien Springs, MI, (March, 2000)
SDA Theological
Seminary, OTST520, Theology of the OT: “The Book of Job”, Wed., Feb 9
Lake Union
Academy Honors Retreat–Jan 16-17, ’00: “A Biblical Perspective on Capital
Punishment”
“Wily
Enemies, Guileless Saints,” ATS National Bible Conference, Boston, MA,
(November 1999)
“The
Involvement of African American Clergy in ANE Archaeology: Some Reflections,”
ASOR National Meeting, Boston, MA, (November 1999)
“Job As Paradigm for the Eschaton,” ETS National Meeting, Boston, MA, (November 1999)
"Cooperative Education in the Bible Classroom," GSEM860, May 11, 1999
"What Does Job Have to Say to the Burr Ridge SDA Church," Chicago, IL,
January, 1999
"Servant Perceptions of Service."
Co-authored with Hinsdale Bernard. ASRS National Conference, Orlando, FL,
November 1998
"Why Does God Permit Human
Suffering?" ATS Bible Conference, Orlando, FL, November 1998
"Biblical Archaeology: 5
Reasons." MPP, Muqabalayn, Jordan, July, 1998
"The
Church in Job." ATS World Bible Conference, Jerusalem, Israel, June 1988
"The Book of Job: In Search
of a Thesis"--Chicago Society for Biblical Research, April 1998
"The Pain of Job's Conclusion:
Curtis vs Crenshaw in view of Job 42:1-10"--SBL Midwest regional meeting,
February, 1998
"In Search of An Ancient
Jordanian King." Tuesday Night Live Lecture Series, Pioneer Memorial Church,
Berrien Springs,
MI, November 1998
"Attitudes Toward Biblical
Archaeology Within African-American Ministry: A Comparative Glimpse"--Adventist
Society
for Religious Studies (ASRS) National Meeting, Black Theology Sub-Group,
November, 1997.
"Talking & Listening:
Renewal Through the Pain of Dialogue (Job 42:1-10)"--ASRS National Meeting,
November 1997.
"Healthy Conclusions: The
Body & The End"--Adventist Theological Society (ATS) National Bible
Conference,
November 1997
"Friendly Fire"--ATS Midwest
meeting; Berrien Springs, MI, May, 1997
"Personal Faith Development
at Andrews University"-Lake Union Conference of SDA Executive Committee,
May 1997
"Hebrew Religion"-Guest lecture,
SOCI 119, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, March 1997
"Black History: What the
Blood Was For"-Black History Day Celebration, Highland SDA Church, February
1997
"Roots", "Scattering", "Gathering"--3
lectures on the Black Diaspora, Minneapolis First Church, Minneapolis,
MN,
February, 1997
"La mayordomia cristiana"--ATS
National Conference, Montemorelos, Mexico, May 1996
"La Biblia: Texto de referencia--ciencia,
estudios sociales, filosofia." Academy of Religion, Universidad de Montemorelos;
April, 1995
"Job 19"; "Job 23;" "Les
trois amis"; "Sept points sur Elihou"; "Dieu: Une fois de plus": Five presentations
on the Book of Job
at Bible translation workshop, United Bible Societies
Africa Region, Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire, Jan 9-22, 1995
"La Biblia, libro de texto
en materia de Historia Antigua." 17th Seminar on the Integration of Faith
& Learning, Education
Dept., General Conference of SDA; Medellin, Colombia,
November 1994.
"Rhetorical Criticism &
The Book of Job." UM, November, 1991.
"The Satan in Job."
UW Madison, Hebrew Studies 341/361, November 1990.
"The Scale of Stewardship"
("La escala de la mayordomia"). Unpublished 45 page theory paper used as
College, University
Stewardship text in Mexico & the Caribbean since
1984.
PANEL MEMBERSHIPS
"Sociology of Gender Roles"-BHSC
440, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, April 1997
"Christian Education"-Christian
Education Day, First SDA church, Soutn Bend, IN, Fall 1996
SERIES
"Job y los tiempos finales" Berrien Springs
Spanish SDA Church, (December, 2000)
Week of
Spiritual Emphasis, Wyoming Spanish SDA church, Grand Rapids, MI (May 6-13,
2000) Andrews
University Campus Ministries Retreat, Camp Wagner, MI, April 7-8, 2000
“Recibiréis
Poder.” Potomac Conference Hispanic Youth Camp (September, 1999)
“Preparación por un nuevo milenio,”
Minnesota Conference Hispanic Camp Meeting, Aug, 1999
"A Dios también, le
gustan las flores." Club Adelante weekend, Andrews University (February
1999)
GRADUATION ADDRESSES
Consecration address, summer
graduation, M/Morelos University, Aug 11, 2000
Baccalaureate Address, Andrews
Academy, Berrien Springs, MI, Spring, 1998
Commencement Address, Wisconsin
Academy, Columbus, WI, Spring, 1998
Baccalaureate Address, Wisconsin
Academy, Columbus, WI, Spring, 1998
Consecration Address, Wisconsin
Academy, Columbus, WI, Spring, 1998
Baccalaureate Address, Montemorelos
University, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Spring, 1997
Consecration Address, Andrews
University, Berrien Springs, MI, Spring 1997
Commencement Address, Montemorelos
University, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Spring, 1996
Commencement Address--Instituto
Vicente Suarez; Monterrey, Mexico, May 1996
Baccalaureate Address, Caribbean
Union College, Maracas, Trinidad, Spring, 1991
Consecration Address, Caribbean
Union College, Maracas, Trinidad, Spring, 1981
CONVENTION ADDRESSES
Andrews
University Chapel presentation, “Eternity Thinkers,” November 14, 2000 Andrews University Dept of Nursing
Dedication Service, “Since the Master Does Towels,” November 11, 2000
NANA
[Nigerian Adventists in North America] Campmeeting, Sabbath Aug 26, 2000
Andrews
Ministerial Assn. Retreat, Timber Ridge Camp, IN, March 4, 2000 Caribbean
Club Black History Day, New Life Church, Andrews University, Feb 19, 2000 Walla Walla
College Church, Black History Day, Feb 5, 2000 Nashville
First SDA Church, Religious Liberty Day, Nashville TN, Jan 29, 2000 Lake Union
Academy Honors Retreat–Jan 16-17, 2000 Community
Guest Day, Shiloh SDA Church, Toronto, Ont, May 1, 1999 Caribbean Union College Alumni Day, Washington,
D. C., April 17, 1999
Community Guest Day, Shiloh
SDA Church, Toronto, Ont, May 1, 1999
Caribbean Union College Alumni
Day, Washington, D. C., April 17, 1999
Guymetro Day, Washington
D.C., September, 1998
Upper Demerara Region Convention,
Guyana, August, 1998
Linden Reunion, Cohutta Springs,
GA, May, 1998
Caribbean Day, Oakwood SDA
Church, Detroit, MI, April, 1998
Pastors' Meeting, North Ecuador
Mission, Quito, Ecuador, March, 1998
"Que es eso del exito?"--Third
International Symposium in Administration, School of Business, Universidad
de Montemorelos; Linares, Mexico, March 1996.
Caribbean Union College Alumni
Day, Church of the Oranges, NJ, May, 1991.
CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS
"Preamble to an Exodus."
Multimedia presentation (video, mural, drama), CARL chapel series, Andrews
University, Berrien Springs, MI, November 1997
"Litany for Relevant Learning."
Litany for opening convocation of 1997-98 school year, Andrews University,
Berrien Springs, MI, Fall 1997
"Dedication to Alejandro."
Discussion on themes and structure of the book of Job, illustrated by my
poetry. Seminary Sabbath School, Berrien Springs, MI, November 1996
"To the Chief Musician."
Choral and Solo Readings of biblical poetry and personal compositions inspired
by those works. Friday Festival of Faith, Andrews University, Berrien Springs,
MI, November 1996
"Listening at the Piccolo."
An evening of reading original compositions of Fall poetry, at the Piccolo
Café, Berrien Springs, MI, November 1996
MANUSCRIPT REVIEWS
Nancy Vyhmeister, ed., Women
in Ministry (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1998)
24-lesson series on biblical
principles for family living for Inter-American Division dept of Family
Life
Samuele Bacchiocchi, Immortality
or Resurrection (Berrien Springs, MI: Biblical Perspectives, 1997)
THESIS DIRECTION
Chairman, Thesis Committee,
"Integration of New SDA Converts & Reduction of Apostasy Rate," Conrad
Duncan, M.A. in Pastoral Theology, UM, May 1995.
Secretary, Thesis Committee,
Betsy Adina Moore Gordon, M.A. in Family Relations, UM, May 1995.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
ABR (Associates for Biblical
Research)
ALSC (Association of Literary
Scholars & Critics)
ASRS (Adventist Society for
Religious Studies), Coordinator, Black Theology Sub-Group
ASOR (American Schools of
Oriental Research)
ATS (Adventist Theological
Society), President, Midwest Chapter
CSBR (Chicago Society for
Biblical Research)
ETS (Evangelical Theological
Society)
Horn Institute of Archaeology
SBL (Society for Biblical
Literature)
"The Gospel According to
Moses." Northboro SDA church, Northboro, MA (December1998)
"La gloria de Jesús."
Week of Prayer, Spring Branch SDA Church, Houston, TX (October-November,
1998)
"El libro de Job: voces en conflicto." Spring
Branch SDA Church, Houston, TX (October-November, 1998)
"El
evangelio según Moises y Elias." Berrien Springs, Spanish SDA, Berrien
Springs, MI (April 1998)
"¡Brilla Jesús!"
Week of Spiritual Emphasis, University of Montemorelos, Montemorelos, Mexico
(March 1998), 16 sermons
"Vislumbres de su gloria."
Seminario de Denominalización, Santo Domingo, Ecuador (March 1998),
16 hours of lectures
"The
God of Moses & Elijah." Rhinelander, WI (October 1997)
"¡Brilla Jesús!"
Week of Spiritual Emphasis, Maranatha Spanish SDA church, Grand Rapids,
MI (April 1997)
Camp Michawana Hispanic Youth
Camp, August 16-18, 1996
Ministerial Retreat, North
Chiapas Mission of SDA, Vera Cruz, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Spring, 1995
Western Conference Youth
Congress, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Spring, 1995
Northwestern Conference Youth
Congress, Cuahtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico, Fall, 1995
South Mexican Union Executive
Mid-year Meetings, Mexico City, Mexico, June, 1994
Central Conference Youth
Congress, Mexico City, Mexico, Spring, 1994
Week of Spiritual Emphasis,
Boston Academy, Boston MA, Fall, 1989
"Old Rhymes, New Meanings,"
Madison Community SDA Church, Fall, 1990