What Does Theology Do, Actually? 4

Broadly Speaking, Systematic Theology includes work in a dogmatic or constructive vein that takes up hermeneutical and ethical questions about God, world, and self - about the ultimate, the actual, and the immediate - and how these might relate to one another. As such, Systematic Theology has been stereotypically regarded as a rather philosophical discipline - and a normative one, at that. After all, Systematic Theology often trades in concepts, and indeed, concepts negotiating weighty claims related to existence, reality, the good, meaning and revelation. And it seeks to present these things in an organized and meaningful way. 

Yet, Systematic Theology also remains bound to the contexts, experiences, and communities from which and for whom its organized presentations make sense and hold significance. This means Systematic Theology is as bound to history as Historical Theology and requires the use of historical methods. It means Systematic Theology is as bound to practice as Practical Theology and requires the use of empirical methods. And it means even academically geared Systematic Theology is much more bound to the particularities of Christian churches and confessions than it sometimes might like to admit. 

A symposium in Greek antiquity was a gathering around the sharing of ideas and experiences in a convivial, conversational atmosphere. The fourth WDTD Symposium seeks to cultivate such an atmosphere in its approach to the theological disciplines grouped in the category of “Systematic Theology”. The sessions of WDTD4 will provide a space for freshly critical and refreshingly convivial exchange on the interrelation of dogmatic-theological topoi with method and especially with audience. Systematic Theologians reflecting a broad diversity of cultural, confessional and experiential backgrounds will discuss together:

Their areas of topic expertise (whether doctrinal, socio-political, historical or another framing)
The kinds of objects on which they focus their attention and why (whether textual, spatial, material, or otherwise “cultural”)
Who can do Systematic Theology 
How those who understand themselves as Systematic Theologians perceive and situate themselves in their work
How they approach their areas of expertise methodologically
The significance of their methodological approaches vis-a-vis other possible approaches
The purpose of their work as well as their own motivation to engage in that work
The audience(s) of their work and the meaning and significance of their work for the intended audience(s)

The WDTD4 Symposium will employ highly interactive conference formats, combining scholarly expertise with a strong commitment to the participation of attendees from all areas of systematic-theological engagement. Whether professor, lecturer or student, pastor, parishioner or practitioner of another sort, you are warmly invited to gather with us around those most spiritually upbuilding of research and learning aids - food, drink and conversation!

What is What Does Theology Do, Actually?

Central to the purposes of the What Does Theology Do, Actually? series is to observe, document, and describe theological knowledge production and communication as that knowledge / those communications are experienced, cultivated, and used around the world today. WDTD seeks not to do theology, but to observe what theology does. Subsequent to the inaugural symposium and book, each WDTD is devoted to one area of theology: Exegesis, Church History, Systematic Theology and Practical Theology.