Program Units Overview

Overview

The American Christianity section is dedicated to exploring the history and historical theology of Christianity in North America.

Steering Committee

• Miles Mullin (Chair)
• Glenn Kreider
• Robert Caldwell
• Donald Westblade
• Paul Sanchez

Overview

The Biblical Theology program unit aims to explore and clarify what it means to understand and embrace the interpretive perspective of the biblical authors. We are interested in whole Bible treatments of themes, analysis of inner-biblical interpretation, and canonically sensitive treatments of particular passages, literary structures, and typological developments. We further welcome treatments of the Bible’s story, how truths and doctrines are derived from it, the symbols used to summarize and interpret it, and the ethics, culture, and worship to which it gives rise. The history of the consideration of these topics, the state of the current discussion, and proposals for the future of such inquiry likewise concern us.

Steering Committee

• Ched Spellman (Chair)
• Bob Yarbrough
• Miles Van Pelt
• Daniel Timmer
• Stephen Dempster
• Jim Hamilton

Overview

The Biblical Worship Section is a forum for evangelical scholarship that analyzes the practice of Christian worship from historical, biblical-theological, and pastoral/practical perspectives. Papers and discussions focus especially (although not exclusively) on corporate worship and the biblical-theological foundations for the theology and practice of worship. The section aims primarily to encourage and model academic study that supports renewal and reform in the worship of evangelical churches and promotes education about worship in evangelical institutions.

To find our more information about the Biblical Worship section and to access papers presented at past ETS conferences, please visit our website: http://etsworship.wordpress.com/

Steering Committee

• Greg Stiekes (Chair)
• Robert Pendergraft
• Ron Man
• Scott Aniol
• Joshua Waggener

Overview

The Bioethics program unit is devoted to examining issues in health care and biotechnology that constitute the field of bioethics.

Issues addressed include reproductive technologies, abortion, informed consent, human embryonic research, cloning, genetic testing, gene editing and design, health care access, end-of-life decision-making, medicide (physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia), artificial life extension, nanotechnology, and transhumanism, among many others.

The program unit has particular interest in exploring relevant biblical teachings and how to communicate their insights effectively within the church and in the public square.

Steering Committee

• Michael Sleasman (Co-Chair)
• Alan Branch (Co-Chair)
• Scott Rae
• Chris Ralston

Overview

The Christian Ethics program unit is devoted to exploring questions relevant to the field of Christian theological ethics. Inquires include but are by no means limited to: moral theory, virtue, justice, warfare, technology, creation, economy, and politics. All topics in this unit are explored theologically, and may sometimes address methods and approaches in ethics.

Steering Committee

• Jacob Shatzer (Chair)
• Matthew Arbo
• Ken Magnuson

Overview

This unit is aimed at gathering interests in post-Reformation and modern Christian History and Thought not presently accommodated in existing units. The members of the steering committee are a group of church historians, historical theologians, and theologians who interact significantly with history. Christian History and Thought since 1700 aims to accommodate such themes as the following:

• Post-Reformation studies (leading individuals, doctrinal themes)
• European Pietist movements
• Evangelical leaders, evangelical movements and awakenings from 1700 onward
• The history of missions since the Puritan age, and developments in theology since the Reformation age

Steering Committee

• Robert Caldwell (Chair)
• Karin Stetina
• Bradley Gundlach

Overview

The Christianity and Culture program unit examines the role of culture in evangelical theology. We seek to integrate a variety of disciplines and expertise (biblical exegesis, biblical studies, biblical theology, historical theology, systematic theology, philosophy, psychology, missiology, ethics, sociology, and homiletics) into the conversation. The focus is on both theory and practice. Invited papers in the session represent a variety of approaches, organized in pursuit of the question: how should evangelicals view culture and what role does culture play in faith and practice?

Steering Committee

• Glenn Kreider (Chair)
• John Adair
• Amanda Jenkins
• Steven Sherman
• Earl Waggoner
• Kyle DiRoberts

Overview

The Consultation on Early Christian Theology in Protestant Thought seeks to contribute to recent movements of theological retrieval by examining the biblical, historical, and theological themes evident in the Protestant retrieval of early Christian theology in theologians of the Reformation and successive generations. The consultation will sponsor invited and submitted papers, panels, and reviews on topics related to modes of theological retrieval centered on a particular theme, chosen by the committee each year (theology proper, theology of Scripture, Calvin, Lutheran retrieval of the fathers, Baptist retrieval of the fathers, Reformation commentaries on Romans, etc.)

Steering Committee

• H. Clifton Ward (Co-Chair)
• D. Blair Smith (Co-Chair)
• Michael Haykin
• David Luy
• Jennifer McNutt
• Rebecca Rine

Overview

Through scholarly engagement from varied disciplines and perspectives among evangelicals and a broader Christian community, Evangelicals and Women will explore (1) The biblical text as it speaks to relations between women and men in the body of Christ and community, (2) the ontological significance of male-female; (3) and historical backgrounds of women specific issues, from biblical times and throughout church history (4) and the relevance of Scripture’s teachings on women when addressing today’s issues in church, home and society.

Steering Committee

• Cynthia Westfall (Co-Chair)
• Mimi Haddad (Co-Chair)
• Adesola Akala

Overview

The Hebrew Language section seeks to encourage the academic investigation of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and engage topics in the current study of Hebrew language. We believe that foundational to a vibrant evangelical theology is serious interaction with the texts of the Christian Scriptures written in Hebrew. Topics will focus on the issues arising from linguistic, historical, textual, and philological questions about the Hebrew Bible and of interest to a Christian scholarly community. In addition, we plan to host invited presentations to discuss innovative pedagogical approaches and encourage language instructors in their teaching Hebrew language and interpretation.

Steering Committee

• Chip Hardy (Chair)
• Adam Howell
• JoAnna Hoyt
• Miles Van Pelt

Overview

The goal of this unit is to study and evaluate theories and methods of biblical interpretation. In our pursuit of this goal we welcome papers and seek to have sessions addressing various aspects of biblical interpretation, including the contributions of key interpreters, controversial hermeneutical issues, and the interpretation of specific biblical passages.

Steering Committee

• Matt Harmon (Chair)
• Ed Glenny
• James B. De Young
• Jan Verbruggen
• Brandon Smith
• Patrick Schreiner

Overview

The Johannine Literature section exists to advance scholarship of the Gospel of John, Johannine Epistles, and Book of Revelation. We endeavor to study the diverse Johannine Corpus in all aspects, including but not limited to its historical, literary, and theological dimensions. Features such as the use of the OT, intertextuality, narrative development, and interpretive methods will be considered as well.

Steering Committee

• Mark R. Kelley (Chair)
• Gary T. Manning Jr.
• James M. Hamilton Jr.
• Robert “Bobby” Jamieson III

Overview

The Luke-Acts program unit meets annually for the purpose of promoting the evangelical study of the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, in two sections, an invited section and an open section. Our invited section seeks to feature presentations and discussions on specific timely and relevant issues, or continuing discovery and debate in the field of Luke-Acts by invited up-and-coming and established scholars. The open section is a loosely themed session that gives room for presentations and discussion topics proposed to and accepted by the steering committee. In all things, the Luke-Acts steering committee promotes scholarship that begins from a stance of belief in God’s Word as the sole authority to the life of every Christian and inspired Scripture, truthful and coherent in its message of redemption. From this starting point, the steering committee entertains a diverse methodology for the study of Luke-Acts, and welcomes a diversity of contributions. Soli Deo Gloria.

Steering Committee

• Aaron White (Chair)
• David Shackelford
• Zachary Dawson
• Benjamin Wilson
• Wayne Cornett
• Holly Beers

Overview

Method in Systematic Theology brings to the Evangelical Theological Society a forum to track and to research basic issues in theological method. From the theological interpretation of scripture and types of theology, to interdisciplinary, comparative, contextual, missional issues – all require engagement, assessment and constructive response toward the development of Christian doctrine and theological practice.

Steering Committee

• Kurt Anders Richardson (Co-Chair)
• Ken Keathley (Co-Chair)
• Sung Wook Chung
• Andrew T. Loke
• John C. Peckham
• Shao Kai Tseng

Overview

This section explores the development of early Christian texts and their role in the formation of the New Testament Canon. In addition to studying the origins and acceptance of the NT books themselves, special attention is given to the role of extra-canonical writings within the life of the early church and also to the form, function, and transmission of early Christian manuscripts.

Steering Committee

• Stanley E. Porter (Co-Chair)
• Benjamin Laird (Co-Chair)
• Charles E. Hill
• Darrell Bock
• Jeff Bingham

Overview

The New Testament Greek Language and Exegesis sessions are devoted to assessing the current state of New Testament Studies’ discussion regarding the exegetical task, the nature of New Testament Greek, and instructional “best practices.” Through rigorous and open discussion, we aim to see what evangelical consensus on these matters might begin to emerge.

Steering Committee

• Stanley E. Porter (Co-Chair)
• David Mathewson (Co-Chair)
• Martin M. Culy
• Todd Chipman

Overview

The OTB / ANE consultation focuses on the content and methodology of Old Testament background studies rooted in the ancient Near East. Building on previous research and exploring new applications, we will engage standard and unique aspects of this sub system of OT research within the framework provided by ANE literature in the context of its material remains.

Steering Committee

• Matthew McAffee (Co-Chair)
• Caleb Howard (Co-Chair)
• David Deuel
• Dick Averbeck
• Rick Hess
• Gordon Johnston

Overview

The Old Testament Narrative Literature section devotes the bulk of our attention on the narrative literature found in those biblical books generally referred to as Historical books (Joshua-Esther). We would also include papers that focus on narrative/historical issues in pentateuchal passages. Although we would accept papers that deal with narrative issues in primeval history (relating to creation and flood), we would not accept papers that focus on the early/late earth debate or flood geology/chronology. We will also not accept papers that focus on legal literature. Both of those areas are covered by other sections or consultations.

Our desire is to provide a platform for evangelical scholars to address relevant interpretive issues that arise in narrative/historical literature. Those issues are not pursued just as some obscure form of debate, but to give evangelical scholars the chance to wrestle with interpretive issues that have significance for understanding the Bible accurately. Although periodically we may invite a guest outside of the ETS (but not hostile to ETS), our primary goal is to facilitate collegial discussion of strategic interpretive questions.

Steering Committee

• Michael Grisanti (Chair)
• Robert Chisholm
• Jack Klem
• Paul Twiss
• Gary Schnittjer
• Danny Hays

Overview

This unit examines and discusses areas associated with the Old Testament Prophets and Apocalyptic Books. Over the next few years the emphasis in our main session will be upon Reading the Prophets as Christian Scripture. This session will consist of invited papers that will address reading a given prophetic book as Christian Scripture: Isaiah (2019), Jeremiah (2020), Ezekiel (2021), and The Twelve (2022). The unit will also offer a second session of papers on anything pertaining to the Old Testament prophetic and apocalyptic books. Papers for this second session will be selected from proposals submitted through the ETS website for the unit Old Testament Prophetic and Apocalyptic Books.

Steering Committee

• William Osborne(Chair)
• Jill Firth
• Jerry Hwang
• Paul D. Wegner
• Andrew King
• Eric Tully

Overview

The Old Testament Theology section is dedicated to discussing methods, themes, and insights that derive from a theological reading of the Old Testament. While the contours of the discipline and its methodological commitments are debated, our section exists to explore what these Scriptures contribute to our understanding of God and his relationship to the world, in a manner that extends beyond a simplistic historical or grammatical analysis of a given text (or corpus). Our section has addressed a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, method in theological reading, the relationship of the Old Testament to the New, themes central to the Old Testament, systematic exploration of Old Testament texts, Old Testament ethics, and even the historical or canonical development of Old Testament thought. At its most fruitful, Old Testament Theology is textually-derived, but also hermeneutically aware, ethically oriented, and ever-evolving to apply timeless biblical truths to pressing contemporary questions.

Steering Committee

• Michelle Knight (Chair)
• M. Daniel Carroll R.
• Heath Thomas
• Mark Boda
• David Firth
• Brittany Melton

Overview

This consultation focuses on the content and methodology of interpreting Old Testament Wisdom Literature. Recent studies have raised fresh questions about the existence, genre, theological value and ethical vision of wisdom literature. In light of these questions, our committee picks a central theme each year, and invited participants contribute to the ongoing discussion of this theme.

Steering Committee

• Brian Gault (Co-Chair)
• Christopher Ansberry (Co-Chair)
• Daniel Estes
• Brittany Melton
• Richard Schultz

Overview

The Patristic and Medieval History Section is dedicated to the study of ancient and medieval church history. We encourage a diversity of disciplinary and methodological approaches (theological, historical, sociological, literary), and we welcome scholarly work that bridges to our contemporary context by drawing informed insights from the past.

Steering Committee

• Stefana Dan Laing (Chair)
• Glen Thompson
• Brian Shelton
• Rebecca Rine
• Stephen Presley
• Bryan Litfin

Overview

Pauline Studies covers all aspects of scholarship that shed light on Paul and his letters, including linguistics, exegesis, genre, cultural milieu and theology.

Steering Committee

• Linda Belleville (Co-Chair)
• John Taylor (Co-Chair)
• Mark Seifrid
• Jeff Weima

Overview

The Psalms and Hebrew Poetry Section focuses generally on the genre of Hebrew poetry, and particularly on the Psalter. Studies of Hebrew poetry include the role of metaphor, poetic techniques and devices, narrative-embedded poetry, imagery, figurative language, and related topics. Studies in the Psalter include various approaches to the Psalms as individual units, as collections, and as the canonical Psalter.

Steering Committee

• Daniel J. Estes (Chair)
• Kyle Dunham
• Scott Swanson
• David Gunner Gundersen
• Brian Toews
• Andrew J. Schmutzer

Overview

The Public Theology section examines what scripture and theology teach us about public social orders – civil authority and governance, as well as informal (social and cultural) public systems of meaning and legitimation – and their intersection with the life of the church, especially amid the challenges of increasingly pluralistic social environments. Politics provides core biblical themes describing God (king), salvation (reprieve from legal guilt and punishment), Christian life (in the kingdom) and much else. The interaction of the church (individually and corporately) with public social orders is a key theme in every section of the Bible. Unprecedented pluralism and secularistic social ordres make the need for theological knowledge and disciple-making in this area especially great today.

Steering Committee

• Greg Forster (Chair)
• Matthew Lee Anderson
• Vincent Bacote
• David Henreckson
• Brent Waters
• Jennifer Powell McNutt

Overview

To highlight, discuss, and present the latest scholarly research in Reformation Studies. This non-sectarian and interdisciplinary Consultation will also focus on annual themes (cultural, political, social, and economic) or theological results of the Reformation. Each year, expert professionals and scholars will be invited to present cutting-edge research and analysis for the ETS membership.

Steering Committee

• Martin Klauber (Chair)
• Joel Beeke
• Michael Haykin
• Greg Salazar
• Dan Borvan
• David W. Hall

Overview

The purpose of this section is to study the interconnections of the Christian Bible by carefully examining inner-biblical allusions and how these bear on progressive revelation. This broadens the scope of exegesis from immediate context to include interconnections within biblical books and between biblical books. The scope of the section includes OT use of OT, NT use of OT, and NT use of NT.

Steering Committee

• Bryan Murawski (Chair)
• Gary E. Schnittjer
• Ray Lubeck
• L. Michael Morales
• Seth Postell

Overview

The Septuagint Studies program unit seeks to sponsor invited and submitted papers, panels, reviews and submissions on any topic related to Septuagint scholarship. Topics on the Septuagint that relate to evangelical scholarship may include, but are not limited to, history, interpretation (and history of), linguistics (e.g. lexicography, semantics), textual criticism, Hexaplaric studies, translation technique, and the influence of the Septuagint to biblical and theological scholarship. Of particular interest is the NT use of the OT with respect to the Septuagint. The increase in interest and work in the field of Septuagint studies is growing rapidly. Scholars and students realise the importance the Septuagint plays in interpretation of the New Testament. For example, in the early church a version of the Septuagint was the only Bible they knew. It is estimated that between 70-80% of the quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament are from a Greek base text. Thus, the Septuagint is very important for serious study of the Christian Bible. The Septuagint is also being studied as a text in its own right. There are at least three series of commentaries on the Septuagint, being backed by major publishers. ETS members are involved in these projects, and it is important to have the evangelical community carefully consider how the Septuagint relates to the work of the society.

Steering Committee

• Greg Lanier (Co-Chair)
• Phillip Marshall (Co-Chair)
• Jennifer B. Jones
• Matthew Albanese
• Christopher J. Fresch

Overview

Synopsis of theme:
The Spiritual formation/sanctification section is interested in papers that address issues of spiritual growth in Christ. Specifically it is interested in papers addressing the theological, integrative and practical issues relevant to the goals, processes and directives of transformation as well as the dynamics of assisting others in spiritual growth.

Rationale: 
There has been a resurgent interest in the area of spiritual growth, traditionally discussed theologically under “sanctification.” The topic of “spiritual formation” has emerged as a renewed interest in the theology of sanctification as well as a more integrative and theological understanding of the experience, dynamic processes and directives involved in growth. However, we are aware that sometimes the spiritual formation movement has lacked in theological grounding and understanding. Thus, we desire to provide both guidance and theological leadership for this movement that combines theoretical rigor and true piety.

Steering Committee

• John Coe (Chair)
• Richard Averbeck
• Michael Wilkins
• Steve Porter
• Tom Schwanda

Overview

The last full evangelical statement and exposition of inerrancy, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, is now over forty years in the past. In the intervening years, new questions about and challenges to inerrancy have been raised. This study group will work to identify the key issues and questions that evangelicals need to research and discuss with regard to inerrancy. The goal will be to outline these key areas and to provide a roadmap for future research and dialogue about inerrancy, its roots, its meaning, its supporters and detractors, and its practical outworking, in order to promote and guide sustained and productive affirmation of the doctrine. With its increasingly fractured understanding of both the definition and importance of inerrancy, evangelicalism is in need of a focused effort to address the core issues at the heart of today’s debates and doubts about the doctrine. There is also need to present the positive effects and outcomes of ministry and scholarship that affirm this doctrine’s truth. Because this is a topic which often produces discussions with more heat than light, the hope is that this consultation can help moderate an enlightening inquiry that will solidify our understanding of the truthfulness and integrity of the Scriptures in their witness to God and to everything else about which they speak.

Steering Committee

• J. Michael Thigpen (Co-Chair)
• Gregg Allison (Co-Chair)
• Robert Yarbrough (Co-Chair)
• Gwenfair Adams
• Adonis Vidu