About |
Born and raised in Samoa, Upolu Luma Vaai teaches theology, ethics, and hermeneutics at the Pacific Theological College (PTC), Suva, Fiji. He worked as senior lecturer at the Piula Theological College, Samoa. He is from the Methodist Church in Samoa. He worked as a board director for various boards and member of various committees in the Samoan government. He is also a member of the editorial board for the Pacific Journal of Theology (PJT). He has recently been involved in the Pacific Council of Churches (PCC) programs on social justice, climate change, economic development, solidarity, and self-determination in the Pacific region. He is known for his writings and publications on relational theology and relational hermeneutics as critical tools in challenging the colonial systems that have shaped the Pacific for a long time. He participates and presents in many regional and international conferences, including last year, he presented at the G20 Interfaith Summit at Istanbul, Turkey. He is now the HoD of Theology and Ethics at PTC, Suva, Fiji. |
Experiences |
PhD Research (2004 to 2007)
Faaaloalo: God in Samoan Perspective — Griffith University, Australia
Faaaloalo, relationality, Triune God, colonialism, Samoan holistic thinking,Missionary theology, Missionary philosophyAcademic Position (2008 to 2013)
Senior Lecturer, Theology and Ethics — Piula Theological College
Theology, Ethics, Indigenous studies, hermeneutics, gospel and culture, bible, colonialismAcademic Position (2014 to 2016)
HoD Theology and Ethics — Pacific Theological College
Theology and Ethics, Ecumenism, Colonialism, Relational Hermeneutics, Relational theology, Religion and Economic Development, Pacific indigenous way of thinking, Interfaith DialogueConsulting Work (2014-2016)
Consultant — Pacific Council of Churches
Ecumenism, Relational Hermeneutics, Theology and Economic Development, Economic and Climate Justice in the Pacific,Christianity and ColonialismCollaborative Project (2015 to 2016)
The Pacific Self: Indigenous Ideas of Personhood from Diverse Pacific Perspectives — Pacific Theological College
Pacific Self, Epistemology, indigenous studies, anthropology, relational ontology, colonialismCollaborative Project (2015 to 2016)
Relational Hermeneutics — Pacific Council of Churches and Pacific Theological College
Relational Hermeneutics, indigenous worldview, Pacific frameworks of understanding and interpretation, economic, justice, development, religion, climate change |
