Biography

Johnny Ramírez-Johnson’s wide-ranging education began in Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s in theology, a minor in biblical languages, and a master’s in Hebrew Scriptures and archaeology from Andrews University (Michigan), later complemented with a year’s fellowship at the Semitic Museum at Harvard University. This formative study equips him to bring the culture of biblical times into an understanding of Scripture as the basis for Christian mission relevant in a multicultural context. At Harvard he earned a master’s and a doctorate, in which he examined how society’s discrimination of a historically disadvantaged group of Latinos (Puerto Ricans) was ameliorated and overcome by faith via the social support of the church and the ideology of the gospel. His training in human development and cultural psychology provide theoretical vehicles for reading the Bible from a practical theology perspective that facilitates the gospel’s work among the unreached—from American inner cities to remote areas of the world.

Ramírez-Johnson describes himself as a practical theologian working at the intersection of the social sciences and theology. Integrating principles from anthropology, cultural psychology, and cognitive psychology, he developed the Image-IQ Survey, an intercultural communication skills inventory. Before joining Fuller’s faculty he taught religion/theology full time at two colleges and one university, most recently as professor of religion, psychology, and culture at Loma Linda University (LLU). He has also taught at the Seminario Latinoamericano in San José, Costa Rica.

Regarding his personal faith and resulting service, he says, “I am a convert to Jesus Christ and the truth of the Word of God who followed Jesus under duress; my father persecuted and tried to kill me as I fled home to follow Jesus.” He has been involved in planting churches around the world, including Middle America, North America, and Lebanon, and has preached around the world for revivals, evangelism, and church growth.

Current Research or Professional Activities

Ramírez-Johnson holds leadership committee roles at the General Conference for Hispanic Ministries, Chaplaincy and Education; serves as a volunteer chaplain at Saint Bernadine Medical Center; mentors at a local Hispanic church in Loma Linda; and conducts Bible studies and does pastoral care counseling for LLU students and the community. Even prior to joining the faculty, his service included Fuller Theological Seminary (2002–2006) as a member of Fuller’s Hispanic Advisory Committee.