The Future of Faith: Exploring the Dispute and Legacy of the Nicaean Council in Asia

3rd International Conference on Theology, Religion, Culture and HumanitiesFaculty of Theology, Sanata Dharma UniversityPontifical 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 the impact of the council on the future of Christian faith, especially when it is confronted 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. Keynote Speakers

5.1. Exploring the Dispute and Legacy of Nicaean Council

• Moderator: Frederick Ray Popo, SJ
• Speaker 1: Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Weckwerth (Germany)
• Speaker 2: Dr. Agus Widodo, Pr (Indonesia)

5.2. The Future of Faith: Nicaea in Asia Today

• Moderator: Jacques Cavin
• Speaker 3: Dr. Patrick Nogoy, SJ (Philippines)
• Speaker 4: Ass. Prof. Dr. Michaela Quast-Neulinger MA (Austria)

6. Expected Outputs

• Conference proceedings
• Selected papers will be published in journals

7. Technical Requirements

7.1. Paper Submissions

• Abstract length: 300-500 words
• Full paper length: 6,000-8,000 words
• Format: Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition
• Language: English (with provisions for translations)

8. Program

Day 1 - Thursday, March 27, 2025 (Jakarta Time, GMT+7)

16:00 - 16:10 Registration

16:10 - 16:20 Opening Ceremony The University Rector (Albertus Bagus Laksana SJ, S.S., Ph.D.)

16:20 - 16:30 The Dean of Faculty (Dr. C.B. Mulyatno)

16:30 - 17:00 Keynote Speaker 1 (Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Weckwerth)

17:00 - 17.30 Keynote Speaker 2 (Dr. Agus Widodo)

17:30 - 18.00 Discussion

18:00 - 18:10 Break

18:10 - 18:40 Keynote Speaker 3 (Dr. Patrick Nogoy, SJ)

18:40 - 19:10 Keynote Speaker 4 (Ass. Prof. Dr. Michaela Quast-Neulinger MA)

19:10 – 19:40 Discussion

19:40 - 20:00 Closing (Announcement, etc.)

Day 2 - Friday, March 28, 2025 (Jakarta Time, GMT+7)

16:00 - 16:10 Opening

16:10 - 17:30 Parallel Session 1

17:30 - 17:45 Break

17:45 - 19:30 Parallel Session 2