Armando Vega
Graduate Intern for Membership Services
Armando Vega Ortiz is a Ph.D. student in the Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University, where he specializes in the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel. Originally from Las Marías, Puerto Rico, he earned a Master of Arts in Religion from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and a Master of Theology from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. His academic interests include Second Temple literature, Apocalyptic Literature, Biblical Hebrew, Semitic languages, and decolonial thought. His current research brings Latin American decolonial theory into conversation with Second Temple literature and the Book of Daniel, with particular attention to questions of power, race, gender, identity, and coloniality.
What excites you about your role at AETH?
He is excited about sharing with a community that is passionate about advancing theological education, particularly through institutions that strengthen and serve faith communities. AETH's work in fostering theological scholarship and supporting educators resonates strongly with his personal and professional aspirations.
In your spare time...
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the park, and playing with my children. He also enjoys activities such as reading, doing farm work, and going for a jog.
Your favorite book...
His favorite book is “Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography” by John Dominic Crossan. As one of the most prominent authors on the historical Jesus, Crossan explains the model of the Kingdom—as presented by Jesus of Nazareth—in a simple yet powerful way.
A person who inspires you...
Academically, he has been influenced primarily by his Bible and theology professors at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. Doctors Ediberto López, Guillermo Ramírez, and Agustina Luvis instilled in him a sense of academic and pastoral responsibility that has driven him to pursue advanced biblical studies. On a personal level, he admires values such as diligence and hard work, as well as compassion, love, and tenderness, in his parents, Armando and Melania, and his wife, Angélica.