CHF Conference (2-4 April 2013) - History & Theology in a "Secular Age"

For many years, CHF has held a biennial residential conference at Offa House, nr Coventry. In 2013, our speakers will focus on the relationship between theology, history and secular modernity. Members and non-members are welcome, and there is a call for short papers on work in progress.

SPEAKERS
Eugenio Biagini (Sidney Sussex, Cambridge), In What Ways can Christians make a Distinctive Contribution to the Writing of ‘Secular’ History?

John Coffey (University of Leicester), The Theological Origins of Modernity

Stan Rosenberg (Director, Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford), Getting Beyond the Books: The Historical and Oral Context of Early Christian Theology

Stephen Tuck (Pembroke College, Oxford) Black Churches, Racism, and a ‘Secular Age’ in the Post-Civil War United States

Martin Wellings (Superintendent Minister, Oxford Methodist Circuit), Paddling in the ‘Ugly Ditch’: Reflections on the Relationship between Theology and History

Roundtable discussion of Mark Hutchinson and John Wolffe, A Short History of Global Evangelicalism (Cambridge University Press, 2012), led by John Coffey (University of Leicester), with response from John Wolffe (The Open University).
Roundtable discussion, led by John Wolffe (The Open University) History and Theology, the Academy and the Churches in a ‘Secular’ Age (Short contributions welcome – see below)

Offers of short papers, presentations and reports are very welcome, either for the Wednesday evening round table session, if relevant to its themes, or for Thursday morning, if concerned with any other research or activity likely to be of interest to other participants. Please send offers of such contributions to John Wolffe (john.wolffe@open.ac.uk) by 28 February.

This conference is dedicated to the memory of our longstanding member Professor Eric Ives OBE (1931-2012), a distinguished historian of Tudor England who was a regular attender at Offa House conferences. Eric was always concerned that CHF should not retreat into a narrow preoccupation with ‘church’ history, but rather encourage Christian historians to engage much more widely in a theologically-informed manner with the study of the past. His own reflections on the relationship between theology and history were published as God and History (1979).


VENUE AND BOOKING DETAILS
The Christianity and History Forum has used Offa House (http://offahouseretreat.co.uk) for residential conferences for many years. It is the Anglican Diocese of Coventry retreat and conference centre in an attractive Georgian building in its own grounds next to the church in the village of Offchurch, two miles east of Leamington Spa. There are frequent trains for Leamington Spa from London (Marylebone) and Birmingham (Moor Street or New Street), Coventry and Oxford. Take a taxi from the station to reach Offa House. Offa House Ltd, Village Street, Offchurch,Warwickshire CV33 9AS


We are pleased to be able to hold prices at the same level as for the last residential conference in 2010. The standard price for the full conference is £150, with a reduced rate of £120 for postgraduate students. In order to support this reduction, we invite others who are able to make an additional voluntary contribution of £20. Ensuite rooms can be pre-booked at a supplement of £6 per night.
Part residents (Tuesday tea to Wednesday lunch or Wednesday tea to Thursday lunch) costs £75 standard rate £60 for postgraduates.
Non residents (including all meals except breakfast) – full conference £75; Wednesday only £40; Tuesday or Thursday only £20. There is no postgraduate concession on non-resident rates.


Booking forms available from Dr Linda Wilson, 24 Stanbury Road, Victoria Park, Bristol, BS3 4QG.

Email (for pre-booking enquiries): linda.wilson@blueyonder.co.uk

Deadline Monday 12 March

(Cancellation charges: up to Friday 16 March £10; between 16 and 28 March 50%; after 28 March or ‘no shows’ 100%)