AAR – TWW Panels

Notes from Theology without Walls Planning Meeting
November 20, 2017; 11:00 am
American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, Boston, MA

1. The first item that was discussed was a book of essays on TWW. Challenges regarding circulation were noted, especially for an edited volume. Should a publication be a popular shorter book? What about a book that might have classroom adoptions?

2. A brief mention was made about the second volume of Models of God; normally this report is given at TWW meetings by Jeanine Diller.

3. Open discussion ensued on the following issues relating to TWW.

a. How does the rise of the “nones” change the situation that TWW faces?

b. What is the role of institutional religion in TWW? Should TWW define itself in opposition to institutional religion, or is there a place for institutional religion in TWW in a redefined role?

c. Is there a risk of rebuilding walls if TWW moves to set boundaries and norms?

d. Is appropriation of religious traditions within the new context of TWW problematic? Does it raise questions similar to colonialism/orientalism for example?

4. More discussion took place asking whether it was time to define methods for TWW.

5. Finally, the question was raised about whether TWW should seek to become a formally affiliated group within the AAR.

Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Denny, St. John’s University – NY
December 8, 2017


Theology Without Walls – AAR Panels Schedule

November 18 – 21, 2017

Boston MA

Information/Registration – Click Here

Online Program BookClick Here

 

M18-105

  • Theology Without Walls Group

Theme: Love and Desire, Human and Divine
Jerry L. Martin, University of Colorado, Presiding
Saturday, (November 18th) 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
Westin Copley Place-Great Republic (Seventh Level)

Different traditions propose different analyses of desire, and hence of love. These differences are reflected in their understanding of the relation of the human to the divine, and of the divine to the human, and of the human to the human. Which understandings are most adequate to the human condition and the divine reality? What texts, stories, theories, practices, or examples are most illuminating in this regard? How do the religious texts and ideas interact with understandings gained from other sources, personal, psychological, literary, philosophical, scientific, etc.?

Panelists:
Mark Heim, Andover Newton Theological School
Paul Knitter, Union Theological Seminary
Richard Oxenberg, Endicott College
Michelle Voss Roberts, Wake Forest University
Wesley J. Wildman, Boston University

 


M18-300

  • Theology Without Walls Group

Theme: Recognizing the Divine Imprint Across Religious Boundaries
Jerry L. Martin, University of Colorado, Presiding
Saturday (November 18th) – 4:00 PM-6:30 PM
Westin Copley Place-Great Republic (Seventh Level)

A spiritually alert person who reads texts in other religious traditions encounters, sometimes to the reader’s surprise, a divine voice or imprint – not only texts but also practices and persons – which needs to be taken into account, theologically. This has happened to all of us and how it happens deserves consideration. Panelists will be asked to consider how this has happened to them, what texts captured their attention and what ‘divine marks’ (if any) distinguished those texts. Were there ways these texts spoke to their personal situations or searches? Are such texts to be found only in religious canons, or in literature or philosophy or other works?

Panelists:
Francis X. Clooney, Harvard University
Christopher Denny, St. John’s University
Rita Sherma, Graduate Theological Union
John Thatamanil, Union Theological Seminary
Jonathan Weidenbaum, Berkeley College

 


M20-100

  • Theology Without Walls Group

Theme: Rising Scholars and the Future of Transreligious Theology
Jerry L. Martin, University of Colorado, Presiding
Monday (November 20th) – 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Westin Copley Place-Empire (Seventh Level)

Join us for an open meeting to address the theological future. Graduate students and young faculty members grew up in a world more globalized and disaffiliated than that of their teachers. They may well have different presuppositions, concerns, aims, personal backgrounds, career patterns, and institutional or organizational settings. They may theologize in terms of a much wider range of spiritual data, and in service of a wider community than just the “faithful”. In this open-ended discussion, every participant will be given an opportunity to speak personally about the changing situation.

Panelists:
Christopher Denny, St. John’s University
Rory McEntee, Drew University
Kurt Anders Richardson, McMaster University
Bin Song, Boston University

 


M20-101

  • Theology Without Walls Group

Theme: Planning Meeting
Jerry L. Martin, University of Colorado, Presiding
Monday (November 20th) – 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Westin Copley Place-Empire (Seventh Level)

Join us for an open meeting to discuss future panel topics, publications, and other activities related to Theology Without Walls.

Panelists:
Christopher Denny, St. John’s University
Jeanine Diller, University of Toledo
Kurt Anders Richardson, McMaster University
John Thatamanil, Union Theological Seminary

 

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