2024 Scripture and Theology Colloquium - Atonement and Divine Presence
When: Friday, May 10, 2024 - 9:30am to 4:15pm
Where: Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Ave, Toronto
Email: markw.elliott@wycliffe.utoronto.ca
Christians everywhere believe that Christ died once for all upon the Cross as an atonement for our sins, even if they disagree on how to understand that great divine-human action. Roman Catholic teaching and practice has, for example, historically emphasized that the “dead yet made alive” Christ is now re-presented, and so re-offered in the eucharist. In contrast, Protestants tend to exert caution on this point, preferring instead to speak of the Cross as a definitively past event that nevertheless avails for us in the present. Yet, in this case, how might divine forgiveness be thought of as being “brought into the here and now” and applied to believers in the context of prayer and worship? Is the promise for Christians who gather together simply one of presence and even power, or does it involve forgiveness and cleansing as well? How might the practices and theology of the temple schematized in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament inform our thinking today? How do the classic theories of the Atonement “play out” in our own reality? And what might be the implications of these questions for holiness and living witness of the Church? We shall be joined by four speakers with long expertise in such matters to guide our thinking.
Speakers
- Gary Anderson (Notre Dame)
- Mark Boda (McMaster Divinity School)
- Adam Johnson (Biola)
- Matt Jenson (Biola)
About
The Scripture and Theology Colloquium is a semi-annual gathering of faculty, pastors, students, and others who are interested in exploring the dynamic interactions of scripture and theology. Featuring a selection of world-class experts, the colloquia will alternate in focus, sometimes addressing larger theological topics and other times considering a specific book or chapter of the Bible.
Schedule
|
9:30– 9:40 |
Introductions |
Great Hall |
|
9:40– 10:40 |
“‘I Will Dwell Among Them’: Atonement Infrastructure for Divine Encounter in the Torah” Mark Boda, McMaster Divinity College |
Great Hall |
|
10:40–11:00 |
Coffee Break |
|
|
11:00–12:00 |
“The Atonement in the Tabernacle Narrative” Gary Anderson, University of Notre Dame |
Great Hall |
|
12:00– 1:00 |
Lunch |
Refectory |
|
1:00–2:00 |
“Reframing the Doctrine of the Atonement: Divine Simplicity, Recent Studies of the Tabernacle and Christ’s Atoning Work” Adam Johnson, Biola University |
Great Hall |
|
2:00–3:00 |
“The Challenge of Drawing Near: Holiness as Concentration” Matt Jenson, Biola University |
Great Hall |
|
3:00–3:15 |
Coffee Break |
|
|
3:15–3:35 |
Respondent Peter Robinson, Wycliffe College |
Great Hall |
|
3:35–4:15 |
Panel Discussion |
Great Hall |
|
4:15–4:30 |
End |
Great Hall |
