2019 St Andrew's Theology Symposium

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• Registrations are open to all
• We welcome those from all faiths and backgrounds to “come and see”
• You may mail your registration to St Andrew’s, or simply email the document to [email protected]

 Click here to download the registration form

• The Symposium was held on Fri-Sat 20-21st September
• The Symposium ran from:

   Fri:  2:30-8pm
  Sat:  9am-3pm

 Click here to download the Symposium Program

We welcome presentations from the different disciplines of Christian theology interested in further reflecting on this central doctrine of the Church, irrespective of their field of expertise, academic affiliations or denominational background. Indeed, it is hoped that this cross-disciplinary approach (whether this be systematic theology, patristics, ethics, biblical studies, church history, liturgics, etc) will contribute by casting further light - indeed a more enriching and holistic perspective - to this most significant Christian teaching.

"The main theme of this year's Symposium is the importance of Christology for the 21st century.
it goes without saying that Christ and his saving work,
constitute the cornerstone of all theological reflection; quite simply,
it is the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ
that makes all theological reflection possible in the first place.

In the same way that Jesus asked his disciples "who do you say that I am?",
we too are invited to answer this question in the context of our times.
It is the central question that this Symposium will endeavour to reflect upon."

                                                                             - Dr Philip Kariatlis

Group photo of all participants of the 3^rd Biennial Theology Symposium

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

"The Sinlessness of Christ: An Ancient Dogma and its Contemporary Significance"    

Abstract: The Christian tradition has always proclaimed the sinlessness of Christ. This is understood in terms of both who Christ was and what he did. So, Christ is believed to have had a sinless and holy human nature, without the sinful passions that are characteristic of fallen humanity; and he is also believed never to have sinned. In the last two centuries, however, a number of theologians, especially in the protestant tradition, have challenged this doctrine by arguing that Christ’s humanity was fallen like our own, with sinful tendencies and passions, the only difference between him and us being that Christ never sinned. In this talk I will discuss the question of the sinlessness of Christ and argue against the above claim. I will also show how this Christological doctrine is related to Christian anthropology and ethics.

Revd Demetrios first presented recent scholarship which has challenged this traditional claim of the ancient Christian Church of the sinlessness of Christ, he then proceeded to systematically present the teachings of the Scriptures and some of the fathers of the Church, highlighting not only their unanimity on the question of the sinlessness of Christ, but also their richness and ongoing significance for the 21st century.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Abstract: Witness coming from the Gospels supports orthodox faith in who and what Jesus is. He claimed more than prophets: he ‘came’ in his own name (Mark 2:17). He identified himself with the reign of God. To accept the divine kingdom was to accept Jesus. He worked miracles and taught in his own name (‘I say to you’). He claimed authority over the Sabbath, the Temple, the Law, and the forgiveness of sins; this provoked the charge of blasphemy. As Son of Man, he was decisive for the final salvation of human beings. His claims were mostly implicit but, nonetheless, claims to divine identity and prerogatives. St Paul and the tradition behind him acknowledged Jesus as divine Lord (1 Cor 16:21; Phil 2:6-11, which echoes Isa 45:23-24). The apostle’s opening salutation (e.g. Rom 1:7) put Christ as Lord on a par with God our Father. Paul also used the Jewish confession of monotheism to portray Jesus as agent of creation alongside God the Father (1 Cor 8:6). Historical witness (to the message of Jesus, his resurrection, and the heroic discipleship of followers) provides evidence for faith in him. Yet faith goes beyond the evidence and is inspired by the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Revd Gerald focused on presenting the New Testament evidence, which identifies Christ not only as being truly human, but also, and equally importantly, truly divine. Fr Gerald reminded the audience that the Scriptures are unequivocally clear in showing, amongst other things, that Jesus was attributed with the divine title of Lord putting Christ on par with God the Father; that He worked miracles; taught in his own name; and as Son of Man was decisive for the final salvation of the world.

• There were twenty-two speakers presenting their research papers spread out across nine sessions
•  We are overjoyed by the diversity and richness of the respective presentations and the variety of topics in Christology explored
• Select papers from this Symposium are scheduled to be published as peer reviewed articles in St Andrew's Academic Journal Phronema in the second semester of 2020.

• Twenty-two speakers presented their research papers. We are overjoyed by the diversity and richness of the respective presentations and the variety of topics in Christology explored. Select papers from this Symposium are scheduled to be published as peer reviewed articles in St Andrew's Academic Journal Phronema in the second semester of 2020.

Listed below are the symposium presenters with their respective topics:

"It is with great joy that we can announce the theme and speaker
of next year's Patristic Symposium which will focus upon the
great sixth century Father of the Christian Church, St Maximus the Confessor,
a father who has left the Church with a great theological legacy.

We are honoured that Professor Paul Blowers,
one of the leading international scholars on St Maximus,
has accepted the College's kind invitation to be
one of the keynote speakers for next year's Symposium.
We hope that many will be able to make it and also consider presenting."

                                                                                             - Dr Philip Kariatlis