Samuel Lau

Spotlight on Members of the Trinity Community: Samuel Lau

Posted November 27, 2023

As an undergraduate student, Samuel Lau worked as a campus minister with the student InterVarsity Campus Ministry at the University of Toronto. Although Samuel had an interest in theology and religion during his undergrad years, his path to formally study theology started at the graduate level.

“I have always had a keen mind for theology, but I did not read many academic-level works,” Samuel said, noting he completed a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Physics and Zoology at U of T. “After several years in student ministry my desire for deepening my theological knowledge was awakened and that’s been my journey ever since.”

After his bachelor’s degree, he went on to complete a Master of Arts in Theology at Wheaton College in Illinois before returning to Toronto for doctoral studies with the Faculty of Divinity at Trinity College.

Samuel’s PhD research focuses on the problem of race and cultural diversity in Christian theology. His research will engage with contemporary debates in theological anthropology and black theology, drawing from the work of Maximus the Confessor in particular.

“Taking inspiration from J. Kameron Carter’s appropriation of Maximus the Confessor’s Christological anthropology, I intend to argue that Maximus’ cosmic Christology encompasses the multitude of diverse expressions of humanity without privileging one human particularity over another,” Samuel said.

“In an increasingly diverse world, questions concerning race, ethnicity and culture have become front and centre. Christianity’s insistence on a singular and unique divine revelation in the figure of Jesus Christ has always presented challenges to its relationship with human diversity,” he explained. “How can a universal religion like Christianity preserve cultural distinctiveness and diversity? My research will contribute to answering these questions.”

Now in his fourth year of his PhD, Samuel received an Ontario Graduate Scholarship for the second consecutive year. And while working on his dissertation, he volunteers at his church as a small group leader.

“Receiving an OGS award has been very helpful financially,” Samuel added. “It is affirming to be selected for this award, knowing that the faculty and staff at the Toronto School of Theology have confidence in my work and the potential in my thesis.”

Photo above: supplied 

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