TMTC Mennonite Graduate Student Conference
"Religious Texts"
Proposals are solicited from Mennonite graduate
(especially doctoral) students on the theme "Religious Texts."
The second Mennonite Graduate Student
Conference, sponsored by the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre (TMTC), will
be held June 18-20 2004 at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart,
Indiana. Its primary purpose is to provide Mennonite graduate students an
opportunity to present their academic research with other graduate students in
an interdisciplinary context and interact with each
other as colleagues. The theme is particularly suited
to issues of method but not exclusively so. Possible topics that could
be addressed include:
- historical-critical method in biblical studies
- the legacy of the Anabaptist wing of the
Reformation in relation to religious texts (eg. Protestant doctrine of sola
scriptura, confessions of faith, hymns)
- the sociological significance of religious texts in
Anabaptist communities (e.g., Martyrs Mirror, Left Behind series, devotional
poetry)
- philosophical issues of "textuality"
- analysis of a particular religious text (communication
strategy, implicit faith, gender dynamics etc.)
- the construction of the literary boundaries of religious
texts
- the role of religious texts in the perpetuation and/or
transformation of conflict
- religious texts as sources in constructive theology
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. All
proposals related to the general theme will be considered. Proposals of
not more than 350 words each are welcome for individual presentations, entire
sessions or panel discussions. Include the name of your program and area
of study.
Send to: mennonite.centre@utoronto.ca
Deadline: January 15, 2004
We anticipate offering travel bursaries to
presenters and to other participants.
The planning committee consists of Derek Suderman
(Toronto School of Theology), Myron Penner (Purdue University), Judith Klassen
(Memorial University of Newfoundland), Jennifer Graber (Duke University), Phil
Enns (Toronto School of Theology), Jeremy Bergen (Toronto School of Theology).