Scripps College will host The Global Future of Feminist New Testament Studies Conference-a tripartite series of discussions that will bring together international scholars to address the future of both Christianity and feminist Biblical scholarship-in February, March, and April 2003. Conversation I: Europe and North America, will take place February 27- February 28; Conversation II: Latin America and Asia will take place on March 28; and Conversation III: Africa and the Diaspora will take place April 25. All conference events are free and open to the public and will take place on the Scripps campus in Claremont. For a complete schedule of events, please call Scripps’ Office of Religious Studies at (909) 607-3933.
The overall conference goal for these consecutive monthly discussions is to explore two key questions: “What form will Christianity take by the mid-21st century?” and “What will be the implications of these developments for Christian feminists who are New Testament scholars?” Invited speakers range in age, experience, cultural tradition, and perspective. All are recognized as leading authorities in their specific areas of contribution or in the broader fields of New Testament, theology, or cultural studies. Each presentation will focus on issues facing Christians and feminists in light of the global transformations in Christianity that will have a direct impact in the politics of nations as well as in the lives of individuals and communities.
According to conference co-chair Professor Kathleen O’Brien Wicker: “The global dimension is certainly the distinguishing and essential feature of the conference. Women constitute the self-identified majority of Christians worldwide, and notably in countries such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America, these same women are taking an increasingly active role in the public domain. Their foundational values have a significant influence on the shape of world history and will continue to do so. For many of them the Bible is the primary text that guides and fosters their values; therefore, it is critical to analyze and understand how they both interpret and act upon this text.”
Among the scholars and guests participating in events will be: Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor, Harvard University; Elizabeth Castelli, assistant professor of religion, Barnard College, Columbia University; Gay L. Byron, associate professor of New Testament and Black Church studies, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School; Sheila Briggs, associate professor of religion, University of Southern California; Karen Torjesen, dean of the School of Religion and the Margo L. Goldsmith Professor of Women’s Studies in Religion, Claremont Graduate University; Aida Besançon Spencer, professor of New Testament, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; Hisako Kinukawa, co-director of Center for Feminist Theology and Ministry in Japan, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan; Zhiru Ng, assistant professor of religious studies, Pomona College; Rosemary Radford Ruether (Scripps alumna, Class of 1958), Carpenter Professor of Feminist Theology, Graduate Theological Union and the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley; Musa Dube, World Council of Churches, Theological Consultant for Africa on HIV-AIDS; Isabel Balseiro, associate professor of comparative literature, Harvey Mudd College; Althea Spencer-Miller, lecturer in religious studies, Scripps College; Lincoln Galloway, assistant professor of homiletics, Claremont School of Theology; and Vincent Wimbush, professor of New Testament and Christian origins, Union Theological Seminary, and professor of religion, Claremont Graduate University.
In conjunction with this conference, the Scripps College Clark Humanities Museum will feature the exhibit “New Testament Arts” from March 25 through April 15. On display will be artist books from the Ella Strong Denison Library Permanent Collection, printed Bibles from the Honnold Library Rare Book Room, and various related works by contemporary artists. For additional information and exhibition hours, please call the Clark Humanities Museum Office (909) 607-3606.
For a full and up-to-date schedule for the Global Future of Feminist New Testament Studies Conference, please contact the Scripps College Office of Religious Studies, (909) 607-3933.