Faculty Profiles

Marc Cortez head shot

Marc Cortez, Ph.D.

Dean of the Litfin Divinity School,
Professor of Theology,
Director of M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies

On Faculty since 2013
630.752.5914
BGH 200

marc.cortez@wheaton.edu

Marc Cortez is a leading expert in theological anthropology, an area of theology that focuses on what Christians believe about human persons. He has written multiple books on the subject, including Theological Anthropology: A Guide for the Perplexed, a leading textbook used by many colleges and seminaries to introduce students to some of the difficult questions involved in understanding humanity: the image of God, the mind/body relationship, free will, and sexuality. Dr. Cortez also writes and lectures on race and racism, death and dying, and work and vocation.

Although Dr. Cortez is fascinated by anything related to theological anthropology, his particular area of interest has focused largely on the relationship between Christology and anthropology, specifically the question of what it means to say that Jesus reveals what it means to be truly human. He has pursued this question through a wide-ranging dialogue with diverse thinkers like Gregory of Nyssa, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Friedrich Schleiermacher, James Cone, and most importantly, Karl Barth.

More recently, Dr. Cortez's research has shifted toward the imago Dei in particular and the doctrine of creation more broadly. He is currently working on books in each of those areas, one exploring the idea of "divine presence" as it relates to human persons and another that will offer a theological introduction to the doctrine of creation.

In addition to his theological work, Dr. Cortez has always loved being involved in ministry. He worked as a youth pastor for almost a decade, and has since remained actively involved as a volunteer youth worker for both middle and high school ministries. He also preaches whenever he gets the chance and regularly serves on his church's worship team.

University of St. Andrews
Ph.D., Theology, 2007

Western Seminary
Th.M., Theology, Church History, Hebrew, Old Testament, 2004

Western Seminary
M.A., Theology, New Testament, 2002

Multnomah Bible College
B.A., Theology, Greek, 2000

  • Systematic Theology
  • Philosophical Theology
  • Historical Theology
  • Theological Anthropology
  • Christology
  • Creation
  • Patristic Theology
  • Karl Barth
  • Jonathan Edwards
  • Evangelical Theological Society
  • Evangelical Philosophical Society
  • American Academy of Religion

Being Human in a Dehumanizing World: The Image of God and Christian Anthropology
Ancient Evangelical Future Conference, Trinity School for Ministry

"The Appearance of Reckless Divine Cruelty": Animal Pain and the Problem of Other Minds
Colloquium on Creation and the Problem of Evil, Chicago Theological Initiative, Wheaton College

Nature, Grace, and the Christological Ground of Humanity
Los Angeles Theology Conference, Fuller Seminary

The Natural, the Supernatural, and the Meaning of Creation
Henry Center Scripture & Ministry Lecture,Trinity Evangelical Divinity School