What is the value of retrieving theology of past eras when our present one has so many pressing issues of its own? In our age, the word “unprecedented” has become something of a cliché. Everything we deal with, we insist, is new. From the befuddling topic of transgenderism to the challenges and benefits of A.I., we are convinced that our ethical and anthropological debates are cutting edge—we, unlike any generation that came before us, venture into uncharted territory. But does this apply to the realm of theological disagreements as well? Are our many theological controversies insurmountably novel? In this lecture, Dr. Samuel G. Parkison will defend with the Solomonic dictum that “nothing is new under the sun” (Eccl 1:9). Parkison will commend the practice of theological retrieval, not for the sake of idolizing the past, but as an exercise of good stewardship and wisdom for navigating present theological concerns.

We’re delighted that the author Rebecca McLaughlin joined us to discuss the content of her recent book: The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims. This book helps us disentangle the beliefs Christians gladly affirm from those they cannot embrace, and invites us to talk with our neighbors about the things that matter most. Far from opposing love across difference, Rebecca argues, Christianity is the original source and firmest foundation for true diversity, equality, and life-transforming love.

Acts 29 Pastor Graham Beynon (Grace Church, Cambridge, UK) and Jane Tooher (Moore Theological College) will be joining us to discuss some of the material in their upcoming book Embracing Complementarianism: Turning Biblical Convictions into Positive Church Culture. A critical and timely topic for us to be discussing as a family of churches.

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Jeremy Fowler studied History at Oxford and Theology at Oak Hill College. He and his family spent eleven years in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq where he taught Kurdish history and ran a language consultancy, and regularly discussed the big questions of faith. Together with his wife Joy and their four children, Jeremy is now based in Oxford, sharing the gospel contextually and training people in intercultural ministry.

In our ARCH Symposium, Jeremy explores a biblical theology of nationhood, and how it should be expressed in the local church. He will draw on two decades of ministry in Iraq, Turkey and the UK among Kurdish people, who want to see their nation flourish and who are intrigued by biblical accounts of their ancestors the Medes.

The name of Andrew F. Walls (1928 – 2021) is revered within the field of Mission Studies and the development of the discipline of ‘World Christianity’. Despite his significance as a towering figure in the academic area, Walls is not known primarily for major academic publications. In fact, it might well be said that Walls, like Paul the apostle, has produced ‘living publications’ in the form of the many students he has supervised and encouraged over the years.

Alistair Wilson, a lecturer in mission and New Testament at Edinburgh Theological Seminary and a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, will be sharing some of the most significant insights from the writings and teachings of Andrew Walls with a focus on what this looks like in our local church context.

global.events@acts29.com