Christian Formation in a Post-Christian World

June 9-10, 2016 | Trinity School for Ministry | Ambridge, PA

Peter Leithart, Michael Gorman, D.H. Williams, Greg Peters, Julia-Marie Halderman



The challenge of Christian formation in our time is formidable. We witness the demise of many of the cultural assumptions and structures of traditional Western Christian society. In its place we observe the continuing growth of secularism and a widespread “moralistic therapeutic deism.” In short, the church is confronted with the challenge of forming Christian disciples in an increasingly post-Christian world. However, the church has faced such challenges before, and Scripture and Christian tradition together offer clear instructions and rich resources for responding to them. To that end, this year’s Conference will consider the goal of Christian formation, the classical resources of Christian formation, and ways of implementing these resources for the making of Christian disciples in our time.

The Conference will be hosted by the Robert E. Webber Center and held at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Framed in the context of Christian worship and community, this conference promises to inform, encourage and refresh all who attend.

Speakers:

Peter Leithart (PhD, Cambridge University) is President of Theopolis, a leadership training institute in Birmingham, Alabama, and serves as Teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church. He is the author of numerous books and articles in theology, literature, and biblical interpretation, and is a regular contributor to First Things. His recent books include Gratitude: An Intellectual History; Between Babel and Beast; Defending Constantine; and Delivered From the Elements of the World (IVP).

Michael J. Gorman (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore. Dr. Gorman is the author or editor of many books and articles on biblical interpretation and on ethics. Among his recent works are Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness—Following the Lamb into the New Creation (2011); The Death of the Messiah and the Birth of the New Covenant: A (Not So) New Model of the Atonement (2014); and Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission (2015).

D.H. Williams (PhD, University of Toronto) is Professor of Religion in Patristics and Historical Theology at Baylor University. Besides teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at Baylor, Dr. Williams is a Mentor-Scholar with the Green Scholars’ Initiative. He is the author of many books and articles, including Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism: A Primer for Suspicious Protestants; and Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church. He is presently completing work on The Church’s Bible: Commentary on Matthew as volume editor (Eerdmans Publishing), and a comprehensive survey of the early Christian apologies (Eerdmans/Cambridge Publishing).

Greg Peters (PhD, University of Toronto) is Associate Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology in the Torrey Honors Institute of Biola University, and Rector of Anglican Church of the Epiphany, La Mirada, CA. He is the author of The Story of Monasticism: Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality (Baker Academic, 2015) and Reforming the Monastery: Protestant Theologies of the Religious Life (Cascade Books, 2014). He is interested in the question of how communities are formed through liturgy and ascesis.

Julia-Marie Halderman (PhD, Florida State University) is a veteran child and family catechist deeply involved in the renewal of family catechesis in the Anglican Church in North America. An alumna (MDiv) and former adjunct professor of Trinity School for Ministry, she holds a PhD in Educational Psychology with a focus in moral development and belief systems, and taught at the university level for seven years. Presently a full-time parent and home-schooler, Julia-Marie has taught and designed curriculum and programs at all levels, is a leader in Christian formation in her home parish and diocese, and is a key participant in the development of catechetical models and resources for the ACNA.

Media:

View Peter Leithart’s lecture: Making Martyrs: Christian Formation in an Apocalyptic Age here.