About Vanderbilt Divinity School: Lifelong Learning
Explore some of our most compelling theological issues and interests with faculty members from Vanderbilt Divinity School--and ways to continue the conversation in upcoming Lifelong Learning opportunities. Come learn with us at the School of the Prophets!
Office Hours: Writing as Healing with Dr. Arelis 'Aly' Benitez
In this episode, Nathan sits down with Dr. Arelis 'Aly' Benitez to discuss her new lifelong learning course: Writing as Healing: Autohistoria for Spiritual Caregivers. Dr. Benitez discusses how practices of writing and reflection bring us into a deeper understanding of own identity. Grounded in her own lived experiences, identity as a spiritual care provider and theologian, and the rich scholarship of Chicana feminsm, Dr. Benitez invites spiritual care providers to consider how 'autohistoria' can offer opportunities for personal transformation and for others.
You can register for her lifelong learning course, Writing as Healing: Autohistoria for Spiritual Caregivers here (https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/academics/vds-lifelong-learning-program/writing-as-healing-autohistoria-for-spiritual-caregivers/).
Dr. Arelis 'Aly' Benitez was previously the Assistant Professor of the Practice of Religion, Psychology, and Culture and Director of Field Education at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She was recently appointed as the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Psychology, and Latiné Studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
21 May 2026
Office Hours: The Desert Mothers with Dr. Phillis Isabella Sheppard
In this episode, Nathan sits down with Dr. Phillis Isabella Sheppard to discuss the incredible lives and enduring relevance of the Desert Mothers, the topic of her upcoming lifelong learning course. A theologian and psychoanalyst, Dr. Sheppard's course illuminates the depth of their spiritual practices, psychological insights, and lived experiences in the North African deserts.
You can register for her lifelong learning course, Learning from the Desert Mothers, here (https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/academics/vds-lifelong-learning-program/learning-from-the-desert-mothers/).
Phillis Isabella Sheppard is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Religion, Psychology and Culture and Womanist Thought at Vanderbilt Divinity School. You can read more about her work here (https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/bio/phillisi-sheppard/).
6 May 2026
Office Hours: The Social Role of Religion with Dr. Forrest E. Harris
In this episode, Nathan is joined by Dr. Forrest Harris, Professor and Director of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute for Black Church Studies. They discuss the Church as an institution of liberation, how theology is borne from our yearning, and why these aren't unprecedented times.
You can register for his lifelong learning course, The Social Role of Religion, here (https://vupace.vanderbilt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7309137&courseTitle=the-social-role-of-religion-leadership-and-moral-imagination-in-our-times).
Check out the work of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute for Black Church Studies here (https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/programs/kelly-miller-smith-institute/).
27 Apr 2026
Office Hours: Healing Our Divides? with Dr. Ellen T. Armour
In this week's Office Hours episode, Nathan sits down with Dr. Ellen T. Armour to discuss her journey as a theologian in gender and sexuality, Appalachian roots, and the church's complicated history with gender and sexuality.
Check out her new lifelong learning course, Healing our Divides?: Christianity, Gender, and Sexuality, here (https://vupace.vanderbilt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7309054&courseTitle=healing-our-divides-christianity-gender-and-sexuality).
17 Apr 2026
Office Hours: The Faith of Frederick Douglass with Dr. James P. Byrd
Office Hours: The Faith of Frederick Douglass with Dr. James P. Byrd
In this week’s Office Hours podcast, Nathan sits down with Dr. Jimmy Byrd to talk about The Faith of Frederick Douglass, his upcoming LLL course. Dr. Byrd discusses Douglass' letters, speeches, and relationships--and the faith that informed them.
Check out his course here (https://vupace.vanderbilt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=6609014&courseTitle=the-faith-of-frederick-douglass)
10 Apr 2026
Office Hours: Theologies of Salvation with Dr. Bruce Morrill, S.J.
In this week’s Office Hours interview, Dr. Cost sits down with Dr. Bruce Morrill, S.J. to talk about his new Lifelong Learning Course, “Theologies of Salvation: Biblical, Traditional, Contemporary.” Dr. Morrill talks about learning from his students, his own scholarly journey as a theologian, and the importance of exploring multiple theologies.
You can check out his course here (https://vupace.vanderbilt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7308964&courseTitle=theologies-of-salvation-biblical-traditional-contemporary).
3 Apr 2026
Office Hours: Jesus vs. Caesar with Dr. Joerg Rieger
In our first episode "Office Hours" episode, Dr. Nathan Cost is joined by Dr. Joerg Rieger to discuss his new lifelong learning course, Jesus vs. Caesar: For People Tired of Serving the Wrong God. What does Jesus have to say about empire building? What does real solidarity look like? And how does the Easter event speak prophetically to power?
Check out the course here (https://vupace.vanderbilt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7244075&courseTitle=jesus-vs-caesar-for-people-tired-of-serving-the-wrong-god)!
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