New Faculty Hires: Dr. Yudha Thianto and Dr. Wilson Cunha
Published by Calvin Seminary
DR. YUDHA THIANTO
Dr. Yudha Thianto comes to CTS with over 20 years of teaching experience as a Professor of Theology at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. Prior to serving at Trinity Christian College, Dr. Thianto was an adjunct professor at Cornerstone University, Calvin Seminary, a visiting lecturer at Reformed Evangelical Seminary in Jakarta, Indonesia and currently serves as a visiting professor at Southeast Asia Bible Seminary in Malang, Indonesia.
“We are grateful that the CTS Board was able to learn more about Dr. Thianto during his board interview in May and are excited to have him serve as a new faculty member,” President Jul Medenblik said in an email to the seminary community announcing Dr. Thianto’s appointment. “Speaking on behalf of the search team and faculty, I would say that we were impressed and encouraged by Dr. Thianto’s teaching ability, scholarship and commitment to serve the global church.”
Gary Burge, former dean of the faculty, echoed the same excitement. “Dr. Thianto is a native of Indonesia and will bring remarkable global awareness to our classrooms. He is a dynamic and thought-provoking teacher, a recognized Calvin scholar, and someone who will inspire and challenge our students. We are eager to greet him on campus.”
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of my first arrival at Calvin Seminary. I came from Indonesia in 1992 to get my MTS degree at CTS, not knowing that 30 years later I would come back to Calvin to teach,” said Dr. Thianto. “Still thinking of my days as an international student at CTS, I have a large place in my heart for international students. I am looking forward to working with and for international students at CTS, as a way to engage with the global church.”
Dr. Thianto said he looks forward to setting down roots in the CTS community and the greater Grand Rapids area.
DR. WILSON CUNHA
Dr. Cunha comes to CTS with ten years of teaching experience in Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew. Most recently he taught at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
“Speaking on behalf of the search team and faculty, I would say that we were impressed by the teaching ability, scholarship, and collegial commitment that (Dr. Cunha) has displayed,” President Jul Medenblik said in an email to the seminary community announcing Dr. Cunha’s appointment. Medenblik also noted Dr. Cunha’s service at LeTourneau and within local church contexts as evidenced by his time in Brazil, in the Netherlands (where he received his PhD at Leiden University), and in the US—which included adjunct teaching for CTS.
“After years of recognized teaching excellence and a full publishing record, he will quickly become one of the seminary’s valued teachers and leaders,” said Gary Burge, former dean of the faculty. “Dr. Cunha will bring to the seminary further international diversity and strong links to the Brazilian Presbyterian Church (by which he is ordained).” Dr. Cunha plans to move his ordination to the Christian Reformed Church in North America in the coming years.
“I feel honored to return to CTS now as an Old Testament professor,” said Dr. Cunha. “Building on the solid foundation of those who came before me, I look forward to participating in the seminary’s more than 145 years of history of helping the Church encounter God anew by carefully hearing his voice in the pages of his life-giving Word.”
Dr. Cunha and his wife, Katie, said they look forward to setting down roots in the CTS community and greater Grand Rapids with their three children.
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