2019 St Andrew's Theology Symposium

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St Andrew's 3rd Theology Symposium

 

The Symposium was held from Friday 20 September - Saturday 21 September, 2019 at St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College - 242 Cleveland St, Redfern, NSW, 2016.

Throughout the centuries practically most if not all theological investigation centred on the person and work of Jesus Christ, mandated of course by the various challenges during the Christian Church’s early years. In the contemporary setting, ongoing interest in Christology can be seen from the many studies which continue to be published exploring afresh both the scriptural witness and tradition in order to equip the Church more effectively in its mission to witness Christ now and into the future. All this demonstrates very clearly the centrality of this doctrine for Christianity both with regards to its existential and salvific implications. This Symposium explored both the various dimensions of this central teaching of the Christian Church, and equally importantly, ways that this can continue to speak into the present.

Convenors: Prof. Jim HarrisonDr Philip Kariatlis

 

 


 

 Click here to view the Gallery

 

 


• 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]

 

PDF File, will open in new window. 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

PDF File, will open in new window. 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 3rd 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
"New Testament Scholarship Supports Christology"

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:

 

Dr Vassilis Adrahtas 

"Reflections on the Empathy of Christ: The Notion of προσωπική οἰκείωσις in the Christology of John Damascene"

Chris Baghos (PhD cand.)

"The Holy Ascetic as a 'New Adam' in the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great"
 

Dr Mario Baghos

"Tradition contra Positivism in Representations of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"

 

Dr Margaret Beirne RSC

"Christ is alive!" - Pope Francis' Apostolic Invitation to Youth"
 

 

William Chami

"How Did the Son Know that He was the Son in His Human Mind? A Theological Enquiry into the Self-Conciousness of Christ"

 

Revd Dr Daniel Fanous

"Christ Formed in You: Discerning Pauls 'Theotic Exegesis' in Origen and Irenaeus"
 

 

Dr Deborah Guess

"An Eco-Theological Reflection on the Christology of Rowan Williams"
 

 

Prof. James Harrison

"Romans 1:3-4 and Adoptionist Christology: Situating a Theological Debate in its Julio-Claudian Context"

 

Michael Ibrahim

"A Clash of History and Memory: Reassessing the Christological Contributions of Severus of Antioch"

 

Dr Philip Kariatlis

"Christology, Christification and Human Becoming"

 

 

Dr Jin Heung Kim

"Aquinas, Vermigli, and Apostoliscum: a Comparative Study of the Two Theologians' Exposition of the Christology in the Twelve Articles"

 

Dr Jason Tsz-Shun Lam

"Christonomy: Accomplishing the Christ-reality in a Secular Age: The Need of a Christian Ethics in the Modern Eorld from Bonhoeffer's View"

 

Dr Greg Liston

"Eschatology and the Munus Triplex: On the Threefold Anointing of the Spirit"
 

 

Dr Andrew Mellas

"Dancing with Adam, Eve and Christ: The Liturgical Christology of St Romanos the Melodist"

 

Dr Joe Mock

"Distinctives of Heinrich Bullinger's Christology"
 

 

Dr Vicki Petrakis

"Salvation through the Incarnate Logos in St Gregory of Nazianzus"
 

 

Josfin Raj

"Towards an Inclusive Dalit Christology: From Broken People to an Inclusive Community"

 

Grahame Rosolen (Phd cand.)

"The Enduring Importance of the Incarnational Christology of Athanasius"
 

 

Martin Samson (PhD cand.)

"Developing Pauline Christology as a Spiritual Quest for the Historical Jesus"

 

Prof. Keith Thompson

"Webb's Analysis of Smith's Christology"
 

 

Click here to view the Abstracts
 


 

"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

 


We welcome any enquiries to [email protected]

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We look forward to seeing you there

 

 

 

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