2017 St Andrew's Theology Symposium

St Andrew's 2nd Theology Symposium 2017
'The Mystery of the Trinity: Implications for Everyday Living'

From 1-2 September 2017, St Andrew's was pleased to host its Second Theology Symposium on the theme 'The Mystery of the Trinity: Implications for Everday Living', organised by Professor James R. Harrison (Director of Research, SCD) and Dr Philip Kariatlis (Academic Director and Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology, St Andrew's).

The Symposium was officially launched on Friday 1st September by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, College Dean. The two keynote speakers included Professor Aristotle papanikolaou, Archbishop Demetrios (Professor in Orthodox Theology and Culture, Co-Director, Orthodox Christian Studies Centre, Fordham University) and Rev. Professor Gerard Kelly (President, Catholic Institute of Sydney, Professor of Theology, Sydney College of Divinity).

Organised by:

Dr Philip Kariatlis & Professor James R. Harrison

Symposium Program

Abstracts

Photo Gallery

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.

Keynote Speakers

Dr Aristotle Papanikolaou

Keynote Address:
From Sophia to Personhood: The Development of 20th Century Orthodox Trinitarian Theology (1h 30min)

Abstract: This presentation will trace the development of trinitarian theology, beginning with Sergius Bulgakov and including Dumitru Stăniloae, Vladimir Lossky and John Zizioulas. It will demonstrate how much of contemporary Orthodox theology on the Trinity, although projecting itself as a neo-Patristic synthesis, is, in large part, a footnote to Bulgakov. I will also argue how the development of a contemporary Orthodox theology of the personhood is both consistent with patristic theology and a result of hermeneutical and existential contextuality.

Revd Dr Gerard Kelly

Keynote Address:
The Action of God in the World and in the Life of the Believer: The Trinity and the Sacraments (1h 24min)

Abstract: In order to consider the action of God in the world as an act of the Trinity, this paper will begin by setting up some building blocks. One will be the axiom of Karl Rahner that the economic Trinity is the immanent Trinity and vice versa. Another will be St Augustine’s consideration of the Trinity in terms of (mutual) love. Once these building blocks have been established the paper will examine how the Christian believer is brought into communion with God. Attention will be given to sacramental initiation (baptism, and confirmation/chrismation), as well as to the Eucharist. Through participation in the sacraments the believer is engaged in the worship of the Triune God not only in the liturgy, but also, outside the liturgy, in the existential context of life. In this sense, Christian living is properly a participation in the life of the Trinity.

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