Faculty of Theologi, Universitas Sanata Dharma
September 1, 2023 – September 2, 2023
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THEOLOGY, RELIGION, CULTURE, AND HUMANITIES
Re-Imagining Theology, Religion, Culture, and Humanities Studies for Public Life
28-29 March, 2023 - Online Zoom, Start at 16:00 Western Indonesian Time (GMT +7)
Conference Focus
The dynamics of traditional religion in the public sphere no longer appear black and white, but rather as a richly colored reality that invites further interpretation. In the western hemisphere, various sociological studies show convincing predictions about the decline in affiliation with traditional religions, particularly among young people. Religion is no longer “the sacred canopy” and the final reference for interpreting human life’s struggles. However, in some other parts of the world (particularly Asia) religion appears to be very dominant, if not to say it is intrusive. Religion remains the main reference when people talk about res publica. When religion is still valued as the dominant reference, the challenge is to figure out how religion can avoid falling into internal debates about focusing on individual yet personal piety. The richness of religious traditions should be reinterpreted so that religion is able to make a positive contribution to the growth of collective determination to answer pressing public issues, such as the environmental crisis, conflict and migration, the dominance of economic sphere on the dynamics of politics and communal life, corruption, the widespread demand to recognize personal rights that have not been recognize in traditional societies.
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The Future of Faith: Exploring the Dispute and Legacy of the Nicaean Council in Asia
3rd International Conference on Theology, Religion, Culture and Humanities
Faculty of Theology, Sanata Dharma University
Pontifical Faculty of Theology “Wedabhakti”
1. Conference Overview
The international conference “The Future of Faith: Exploring the Disputes and Legacy of the Nicean Council in Asia” aims to examine the historical impact and contemporary relevance of the First Council of Nicea (325 CE) in Asian Christian contexts, interfaith dialogues, and theological developments. We are interested not only in the Nicene Creed as the “result” of the council but also in the historical context, method and model taken by council fathers as well as in the impact of the council on the future of Christian faith, especially when faced with contemporary challenges, such as secularism, scientific development, intercultural and interreligious encounter and social problems. Two fundamental questions we are going to explore in this international conference are: First, what was the dispute and historical legacy of the Nicean Council? Second, which relevance would this council have especially when Christian faith is faced with Asian challenges such as secularism, scientific development, intercultural and interreligious encounter and social problems?
2. Conference Objectives
- Analyze the historical significance of the Nicean Council’s decisions in Asian Christianity
- Examine contemporary interpretations of Nicean theology in various Asian contexts
- Explore the intersection of Nicean orthodoxy with Asian philosophical traditions
- Investigate the role of Nicean creeds in modern Asian Christian denominations
- Address challenges in contextualizing Nicean theology in multi-cultural and multi-religious Asian societies
- Address the relevance of Nicean Council for solving social problems in Asia.
3. Conference Scope
The scope of the conference is, but not limited to:
3.1. Historical Perspectives
- Early Christian communities in Asia and their reception of Nicean theology
- Historical disputes and adaptations in Asian contexts
3.2. Theological Discourse
- Trinitarian theology in Asian Christian thought
- Interreligious dialogue and Nicean orthodoxy
- Ecumenical movements and Nicean unity in Asia
- Future directions for Asian Christian theology
- Orthodoxy of Christianity and the Youth in Asia
3.3. Cultural Integration
- The Nicene Council and inculturation of faith
- The reception of the Nicene creed in a multicultural Church
- Religious belonging of Christians in Asia
- Modern apologetics and interreligious dialogue
3.4. Social Problems and Orthodoxy of Faith
- The order and circularity between faith in action and in the celebration (sacraments)
4. Participants
- Theologians and religious scholars, including graduate and postgraduate theological students
- Church leaders and clergy
- Religious studies researchers
- Interfaith dialogue practitioners
- Cultural studies experts
- Church historians
- Religious education specialists
5.1. Exploring the Dispute and Legacy of Nicaean Council
- Moderator: Frederick Ray Popo, SJ
- Speaker 1: Prof. Dr. Markus Schmidt, SJ (Austria)
- Speaker 2: Dr. Agus Widodo, Pr (Indonesia)
5.2. The Future of Faith: Nicaea in Asia Today
- Moderator: Jacques Cavin
- Speaker 1: Dr. Patrick Nogoy, SJ (Philippines)
- Speaker 2: Dr. Thomas Kristiatmo, S.S., M.Hum., S.T.L (Indonesia-Italy)
6. Expected Outputs
- Conference proceedings
- Selected papers will be published in journals:
7. Technical Requirements
7.1. Paper Submissions
- Abstract length: 250-300 words
- Full paper length: 6,000-8,000 words
- Format: Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition
- Language: English (with provisions for translations)
7.2. Presentation Guidelines
- Keynote addresses: 45 minutes
- Paper presentations: 15 minutes
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