Kay Higuera Smith, PhD

Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies; Program Director, Religious Studies Minor

Phone: (626) 815-5083

Email: kathrynsmith@apu.edu

Office Location: John and Marilyn Duke Academic Complex, Duke 253

Kay Higuera Smith, PhD is professor of biblical and religious studies and director of the religious studies minor program at Azusa Pacific University. She writes about biblical justice issues as they relate to critical gender theory, postcoloniality, and evangelicalism. She was editor-in-chief of Evangelical Postcolonial Conversations: Global Awakenings in Theology and Praxis (IVP Academic, 2014), and has two books under contract, one on the historical figure of Mary of Nazareth, and another on Latinx biblical hermeneutics. She is committed to mentoring young women who have experienced a vocational call in the fields of biblical studies, theology, philosophy, or practical ministry. She also works with minority students to encourage them in recognizing the power of the Bible for their own traditions.

Education

• PhD, Early Judaism and New Testament, Claremont Graduate University
• MA, Religion, Claremont Graduate University
• BA, Jewish Studies, University of Washington

Academic Area

• School of Theology

Expertise

• Early Judaism
• Biblical Studies
• Hermeneutics
• Jewish-Christian Relations
• New Testament
• Global Biblical Interpretation

Courses Taught

• ETHN 150 - Introduction to Ethnic Studies
• PRBL 230 - Luke/Acts
• PRRS 200 - World Religions
• RELG 200 – World Religions
• RELG 350 – Introduction to Judaism
• RELG 400 – Special Topics in the History of Religion
• RELG 495 – Special Topics Seminar: Contemporary Christianity and Religious Studies
• RELG 495 - Special Topics Seminar: Sexual Ethics in Western Religion
• RELG 498 – Religious Studies Capstone
• UBBL 230 – Luke/Acts
• UBBL 235 - Luke/Acts through a Latinx Lens
• UBBL 330 – Life and Teachings of Jesus
• UBBL 340 – Romans and Galatians
• UBBL 350 – Geographical and Historical Setting of the Bible
• UBBL 476 – Women in the Biblical Tradition
• UBBL 482 - Global Biblical Interpretation
• UBBL 496 - Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology & Ethics
• UBBL 498 - Religious Studies Capstone