Manuel R Rauchholz, PhD

Director of the Theology & Culture (PhD) Program; Associate Professor of Theology & Culture
It is essential for successful human coexistence that we understand each other.” Reflecting together on how our lived realities in culture and theology have shaped who we have become marks the beginning of a formative process where academic excellence and personal (trans)formation converge. Formed through life and education in international contexts, I have learned to attend carefully to people’s stories and to ask how Scripture speaks into lived realities across cultures. I aim to cultivate a classroom marked by intellectual humility, hermeneutical attentiveness, and mutual learning—toward authentic understanding and faithful testimony.

Dr. Manuel R. Rauchholz is the Director of the PhD in Theology and Culture Programme at Trinity Western University and Associate Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). He was raised and educated in Micronesia, Japan, Germany and the USA and has taught theology and cultural anthropology at universities in Germany prior to joining the faculty at TEDS in 2018. His scholarship integrates social and cultural anthropology with Christian theology and missiology, with a particular focus on qualitative research methods, the anthropology of Christianity, religion, psychological, legal, and political anthropology, intercultural ethics and the anthropology of development. Rauchholz has worked as a consulting anthropologist for the Micronesian government, and has extensive experience in the management of not-for profit organizations.

Dr. Rauchholz has conducted extensive ethnographic research in Micronesia and among Micronesian diaspora communities, exploring themes such as kinship and adoption, personhood and emotion, migration, customary law and conflict resolution, and the interaction of traditional and Christian worldviews. His work also engages urgent social concerns, in research and praxis, including educational and community development, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, adverse childhood experiences, and human rights, with a commitment to culturally informed analysis and practical response.

He earned his Dr. Phil. in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Heidelberg (summa cum laude) and holds a Th.M. from Trinity International University. Dr. Rauchholz is the author of Adoption, Emotion, and Identity: An Ethnopsychological Perspective on Kinship and Person in a Micronesian Society (Berghahn Books, 2024) and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes. He is married to Prof. Dr. Mihamm Kim-Rauchholz. Together they have three daughters.
 

  • Dr Phil, summa cum laude 2010 - Social and Cultural Anthropology (University of Heidelberg, Germany).
  • Master of Theology (ThM) (Trinity International University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; 1999)
  • Protestant Theology (University of Tübingen, Germany; 1997-1998)
  • Protestant Theology (University of Heidelberg, Germany; 1993-1997)
  • Protestant Theology Prep School Krelingen (state accredited): Graecum (Classical Greek), Hebraicum, Foundations of Theology and Philosophy (Biblicum, Philosophicum) (GRZ Krelingen, Germany; 1991-1993)
  • Abitur (Deutsche Schule Tokyo, Japan; 1988-1991)

Expertise

Dr Manuel R. Rauchholz’s expertise lies at the intersection of social and cultural anthropology, intercultural studies, and Christian mission and theology. As an ethnographer and qualitative researcher, he specializes in culturally grounded analysis on the relationship between culture and theology (religion), of how communities negotiate identity, dependency, morality, law, and social change—particularly in Micronesia and within Micronesian diaspora contexts. His work combines rigorous field-based research with interdisciplinary engagement in ethics, human rights, social problems research, and applied missiology.

Selected Publications: 

  • Adoption, Emotion, and Identity (Berghahn Books, 2024)
  • “Family and Gender Violence in Chuuk, Micronesia” (Routledge, 2023)
  • Qualitative and quantitative evaluation and analysis of public school and student performance and progress at five (5) public schools in the Western Chuuk Lagoon during a one year intervention program. In Manuel Rauchholz and Micha Frick (eds.), FY 17 Quarterly Progressive Reports 1-3: Rauchholz International Consulting. Weno, Chuuk: RIC, 332pp. (2017).
  • “Masculine Sexuality, Violence, and Sexual Exploitation in Micronesia” (The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 2016)
  • “Resources, Boundaries and Governance: What Future for Marine Resources in Micronesia?” In Elodie Fache and Simonne Pauwels (eds.), Fisheries in the Pacific: The Challenges of Governance and Sustainability. Marseille: Pacific-Credo Publications, pp. 49–75. (2016).
  • Die deutsche evangelische Mission in Mikronesien: Vortrag auf der Tagung „Kolonialmedizin, Kolonialpädagogik, Kolonialgeschichte Deutschlands in der Südsee 1884 bis 1914“ am 04./05.11.2011 in Rostock. Published conference paper, pp.1-16 http://rosdok.uni-rostock.de/resolve/id/rosdok_document_0000000251. (2014).
  • “Aspects Ethnographiques de la Micronésie”. In Christian Polak and Kiyoko Sawatari (eds.), Un artiste voyageur en Micronésie: L’univers flottant de Paul Jacoulet. Paris: Somogy and Musée du quai Branly, pp. 65–74. In English: Micronesia in its Ethnographic Aspects. In Christian Polak and Kiyoko Sawatari (eds.), Artist-Traveler in Micronesia: The Floating World of Paul Jacoulet. Paris: Somogy and Musée du quai Branly, pp. 65–74. (2013).
  • “Discourses on Chuukese Customary Adoption, Migration, and the Laws of State(s)” (Pacific Studies, 2012)
  • “Notes on Clan Histories and Migration in Micronesia” (Pacific Asia Inquiry, 2011)
  • “Understanding and Interpretations of ‘Sin’ and ‘Curse’ in Chuuk, Micronesia”. In Friedemann Walldorf, Lothar Käser and Bernd Brandl (eds.), Mission und Reflexion im Kontext: Perspektiven evangelikaler Missionswissenschaft im 21. Jahrhundert. Festschrift in honor of Klaus W. Müller for his 65th birthday. Nürnberg: Verlag für Theologie und Religionswissenschaft, pp. 264–276. 2010.
  • “Demythologizing Adoption” (Pacific Studies, 2008)

Encyclopedia Articles 2019:

  1. Gewalt I
  2. Gewissen I (ethnologisch)
  3. Glossolalie I (ethnologisch)
  4. Initiationsriten

In Heinzpeter Hempelmann, Uwe Swarat et. al. (eds.). Evangelisches Lexikon für Theologie und Gemeinde 2nd Ed. Vol. 2.

 Encyclopedia Articles 2017

  1. Bhakti-Religion,
  2. Blutrache (ethnologisch/religionsgeschichtlich),
  3. Ehre/Ehrgefühl (kulturgeschichtlich),
  4. Eid (ethnologisch),
  5. Essen und Trinken (kulturgeschichtlich)

In Heinzpeter Hempelmann, Uwe Swarat et. al. (eds.). Evangelisches Lexikon für Theologie und Gemeinde 2nd Ed. Vol. 1.
 

Awards & Honours

Dr. Manuel R. Rauchholz has received academic recognition for excellence in scholarship and professional development. 
He was awarded the Annual Frobenius Research Award (2011) by the Frobenius Institute at Goethe University Frankfurt, honoring his doctoral research as an outstanding contribution to cultural anthropology in the German-speaking academic world.
In addition, he was selected for the University of Heidelberg’s competitive management and career development program “Auf dem Weg zur Professur” (2014), offered within the context of Germany’s Initiative of Excellence and supporting emerging academic leadership and advancement toward professorial roles. 

Selected Research/Grant Awards (2004-2024)

  • University of Guam/WERI: FSM Water Education: Sustainability of freshwater resources through education: Chuuk Lagoon. Team: PI Dr. Yeo, Dr. Manuel Rauchholz and Nils Stahl ($10,200.00)
  • German Embassy Manila: German Cooperation. For three development projects in Micronesia (ca. USD 53,000.00). 2018; 2019; 2023 and Cisco Systems Germany, (ca. USD 20,000.00). 2023-2024. Team: PI Dr. Manuel Rauchholz and RIC staff.
  • Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (Grant No.: A2.27.60.60.27100.17). Faichuk Educational Development and Research Project. Total contract period 10/2015–09/2018; USD 2,196,547.80). Team: PI Dr. Manuel Rauchholz with Micha Frick and Prof. Dr. Mihamm Kim-Rauchholz
  • University of Heidelberg, Excellence Initiative, Field of Focus 4 (Self-Regulation): Interindividuelle Unterschiede des gedanklichen Abschweifens und deren Zusammenhänge mit Intelligenz und Persönlichkeit im Kulturvergleich. (EUR 30,000.00). 2015-2016. Team: PI Dr. Jan Rummel, Psychologist, Dr. Manuel Rauchholz
  • E.U. Commission (Grant No.: ADM-Multi/2014/353-796): Understanding Gender Inequality Actions in the Pacific: Ethnographic Case-Studies and Policy Options. (EUR 16,000.00). 2014. Team: PI Dr. Tony Cook, Univ. of St. Andrews, Dr. Manuel Rauchholz
  • University of Heidelberg Research Grant to study Human Trafficking in Micronesia (ca. USD 9,000.00) 2014. Team: PI Dr. Manuel Rauchholz
  • Regional Response to Human Trafficking in the Western Pacific. Consultations with key stakeholders in branches of government, women’s associations and faith based organizations to develop HT policies: Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands (EUR 10,000.00). 2012. Team: Suzanna Tiapula JD et al. at National District Attorney’s Association, U.S. Department of State and Dr. Manuel Rauchholz.
  • U.S. Department of the Interior, F.S.M. Historic Preservation Office in cooperation with Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap States’ Office of Historic Preservation: multiple projects. (ca. EUR 25,000.00) 2009-2010. Team: PI Dr. Manuel Rauchholz, HPO officials.

     

Recent Publications

Dr. Manuel R. Rauchholz’s recent scholarship focuses on anthropology of Christianity, kinship and adoption, migration and diaspora, and the cultural dynamics of violence and exploitation in Micronesia and the Pacific. (Selected publications; for additional works, see Google Scholar and/or PubMed.) 

  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2024). Adoption, Emotion, and Identity: An Ethnopsychological Perspective on Kinship and Person in a Micronesian Society. Berghahn Books.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2023). “Family and Gender Violence in Chuuk, Micronesia.” In Sex and Gender in the Pacific (Routledge), 181–191.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. and Micha Frick. (Eds. 2017). Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation and Analysis of Public School and Student Performance and Progress at five (5) Public Schools in the Western Chuuk Lagoon During a One Year Intervention Program. FY 17 Quarterly Progressive Reports 1-3: Rauchholz International Consulting. Weno, Chuuk: RIC, 332pp.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2017). “Masculine Sexuality, Violence, and Sexual Exploitation in Micronesia.” In Emergent Masculinities in the Pacific (Routledge), 146–162.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2016). “Micronesia.” In Understanding Gender Inequality Actions in the Pacific: Ethnographic Case-Studies and Policy Options (EU Publications Office), 68–81.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2016). “Resources, Boundaries and Governance: What Future for Marine Resources in Micronesia?” In Fisheries in the Pacific: The Challenges of Governance and Sustainability (Pacific-Credo), 49–75.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2012). “Discourses on Chuukese Customary Adoption, Migration, and the Laws of State(s).” Pacific Studies, 35(1/2), 119–143.
  • Rauchholz, Manuel R. (2008). “Demythologizing Adoption: From the Practice to the Effects of Adoption in Chuuk, Micronesia.” Pacific Studies, 31(3/4), 156–181
     

Affiliations & Memberships

Dr. Manuel R. Rauchholz is actively engaged in international scholarly networks that support his work in anthropology, intercultural studies, and mission studies. He is a member of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and maintains long-standing involvement with the Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania (ASAO), including recognition as a Fellow. His academic affiliations also include the European Society for Oceanists (ESfO), where he previously served as Board Member for Germany, and the German Anthropological Association (GAA).

In the field of missiology, Dr. Rauchholz is affiliated with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft (DGMW), American Society of Missiology and the Evangelical Missiological Society. He is also an Alumnus of the East-West Center (Honolulu, Hawai‘i) and is connected to the Frobenius Society (Frobenius Gesellschaft), Frankfurt, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and global research collaboration.

Dr. Manuel R. Rauchholz teaches courses in anthropology, intercultural studies, and mission theology, with a strong emphasis on qualitative research methods, culture and leadership, and ethnographic approaches to Christian ministry, theology and global engagement. 
 

Selected Courses

•    Qualitative Research Methods (PhD Seminar)
•    Anthropology for Mission and Evangelism (PhD Seminar)
•    Culture and Leadership Development (PhD Seminar)
•    Culture, Ethics, and Social Change (MA/PhD)
•    Anthropology for Ministry (MA)
•    Foundations of Christian Mission (MDiv/MA)
•    Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry (MDiv/MA)
•    Mission, Church, and Community Development (MA/PhD)
•    Theology of Mission (MDiv/MA)
 

Additional Teaching Areas


•    Intercultural Ethics
•    Legal Anthropology and Law & Custom in Micronesia
•    Field Research Methods (I & II)
•    Kinship Studies (Adoption, Personhood, Emotion)
•    Animism and Worldview Studies
•    Homiletics, Rhetoric, and Public Speaking