We are living in a strange time, perhaps not “unprecedented,” as some have suggested, but certainly unusual. The Political Theology Network workshop seeks to offer an opportunity during its Summer series to think together about how to make theological meaning of present political realities. What theological resources can be brought to bear in this time of global pandemic, exacerbated precarity, disrupted communities, and powerful resistance to white supremacy and police brutality?
The PTN workshop series seeks proposals and nominations for our Summer 2020 session.
Do you have a piece of writing in progress that you would like to workshop? Have you recently published a book chapter, an article, or a blog post that you are interested in discussing with others? We would love to discuss your work.
Or, have you recently read a piece that excited, inspired, or confused you? Is there an emerging scholar who you think has something interesting to contribute to our thinking of politics and/or theology? Please let us know who you would like us to invite as a presenter for the Summer series.
Proposed pieces can speak directly to current events, or can illuminate the present in a more oblique manner. Traditions outside of North American and European Christianity are especially encouraged. The Political Theology Network aims to think both the “political” and the “theological” in creative ways, so we also welcome scholars and texts that help us to think about what it might mean to think about “politics” or “theology” as such.
We invite submissions in one of two formats. Those who wish to present works in progress or recently published works are asked to submit a five hundred word abstract of the piece. Alternatively, we also welcome nominations. If you have found a recent text valuable, you may propose that our workshops discuss it. We will do our best to get the author in the virtual “room” to discuss their work. In that case, we ask that you submit a two hundred work précis of the piece in your proposal.
Proposals are to be submitted to Cassie Houtz (choutz@mail.harvard.edu) and Mary Nickel (mnickel@princeton.edu) by June 20, 2020. Those invited to present at the workshop will be notified by June 25, 2020.
The workshop will proceed weekly, Mondays at 3:00 pm (ET), beginning on Monday, July 13 and ending on Monday, August 31. If you would like to be a part of the workshop community, please reach out to Cassie and Mary, and we will be glad to include you in our mailing list.
Hello: Does the contribution have to be about COVID/the US Elections/#BLM? I would like to workshop with some people in South Africa about the Public Theology vs. Political Theology question, and what Political Theology might look like in South Africa. I write about South Africa but am located in Canada. I hope that out of this might come a book proposal for the Routledge series.
Hi Stephen! No, your submission/contribution does not need to be about those particular issues/circumstances. I encourage you to submit a proposal! You can email it to choutz@mail.harvard.edu and mnickel@princeton.edu. Thanks for your interest and inquiry.