Fifth Annual Student Theological Conference

Let all who have ears, hear! The Student Theological Conference at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is entering its fifth year of bringing together students from Chicagoland theological and divinity schools to share their papers, sermons, and presentations on a designated theme.  As the political rhetoric heats up over the next year in anticipation of the 2012 Presidential Election, “Church and State” seemed to be a most appropriate theme for the Fifth Annual Student Theological Conference.

The theme of “Church and State,” as well as being timely, offers students a broad array of paper, sermon, and presentation topics. Students could write a theological paper on abortion, a history paper on Constantine’s Christian State, an exegetical paper on Jesus’ view of government, or an adult education curriculum that examines the Christian ethical issues around war or the death penalty. Other topics include gay marriage bans by state/federal governments, the right of parents to not vaccinate/seek medical attention for their children based on religious beliefs, or how much voice the church should have in the government and vice versa.

The Conference brings together students of various denominational, political, and theological backgrounds to discuss these important issues and to hear the many viewpoints and stances. While it may seem that some of these topics may be better argued in a political debate or courtroom case, these are issues that persons of faith must also grapple with theologically, biblically, and in ministry.

At the same time, the Conference also recognizes that these are issues of Church and State and therefore we must be in dialogue with our brothers and sisters who are educated in law and the legal system. This is why Marci A. Hamilton, the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, is our keynote speaker. Hamilton, who has worked on a number of religious land and clergy sex abuse cases, gives us the legal perspective on issues of Church and State. The issues that fall under the theme of Church and State involve persons within and outside of the local church who will not only be depending on their theology and beliefs to guide their actions but also the law of the city, state, and federal governments.

Students who are interested in presenting their work should contact student coordinator, Tasha Sargent or staff coordinator, Krista McNeil at stc@garrett.edu or by seeing Krista in office 213 in the main building at Garrett-Evangelical. Persons interested in attending the day-long conference on April 20, 2012 should likewise contact Tasha or Krista.  Please visit our website at www.garrett.edu/stc.

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The Student Theological Conference at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary offers students enrolled in any Chicagoland theological or divinity school the opportunity to present, critique and share their writings on topics related to theology. It creates communion and ecumenical discussion through open invitation to the Association of Chicago Theological Seminaries, the University of Chicago Divinity School, Loyola University of Chicago's department of theology and Wheaton College's biblical and theological studies department.