Standpoint Conference asks for theology papers on select topics.

In this first of 3 events (1 per year), we are endeavoring to gather a body of Biblicists to address key doctrines, examine how they are threatened in specific areas, and give answer to these threats.   We plan a series of lectures and publications (at least in electronic form, if not in print).  At the conference, we will hear presentations on key issues from a perspective of theology and how it impacts practice.    We are currently soliciting papers on the topics below:

Importance of Gender in  Theology & Practice –

In our era, attacks on the presentation of God and Christ in the masculine, coupled with the softening of gender-role distinctives once considered normative have brought us to a crisis of understanding.    Gender is a creation of God.  What is the sense in which Gender is important in theology?   How does this impact our practice in church polity and the home?  How does this theology and this practice connect?

Sufficiency of Scripture and Modern Counseling --

In modern Christian counseling, a great debate rages between those who see secular counseling methodologies as helpful when used in association with Biblical models, and those who see the two as fundamentally in conflict with each other.   The doctrinal concept “Sufficiency of Scripture” clearly ought to have some impact on this discussion and similar discussions in other fields.    What impact does “sufficiency of Scripture” have on this debate?   What is the scope of sufficiency of Scripture?   Are disciplines that did not even exist in the time the Scriptures were written subsumed under its claims?  Does the answer to these effect our choice of counseling options to commend to our congregations?

The Importance of “God Spoke” in Hermeneutics –

Many modern texts on Biblical Hermeneutics define the process of hermeneutics in a way that is indistinguishable from how a lawyer might explain a strict constructionist view of interpreting the U.S. Constitution or an international treaty.    How does the fact that “God spoke” impact the process of hermeneutics?    Is the Holy Spirit involved in the process at all?  Is the Holy Spirit’s work of enlightenment involved in interpretation, or restricted to application?

The Defective Hermeneutics of Gay Theology –

They came out of the closet and entered the seminary.    But is the Biblical defense of their freedom to practice homosexual activity or engage in committed homosexual relationships correct?   Is there any basis to their argument that the Scriptural context of the prohibitions on such activity was their pagan religious connections at the time?   Is their use of Trajectory Hermeneutics valid?    What is the impact for the church grappling with this issue?

Eschatological Essentials and the Return of Christ –

Fundamentalists and Evangelicals once shared a common perception of God’s plan for the end times. The popular resurgence of Reformed positions, Kingdom Now theology, and various others has produced a new interest and openness to other positions.     In terms of practical fellowship, what impact does this have on fellowship between assemblies in the body of Christ?   What connections exist between Eschatological views and political activism and social action by concerned Christians?   Is there an irreducible minimum or basic set of theological affirmations in Eschatology, the denial of which calls into question one’s Orthodoxy?

Authentic Worship vs. The Death of Churches –

Much of the debate in the Worship Wars centers on matters of style.   Larger in scope than just the issue of musical genre choice, what constitutes authentic worship?   When authentic worship is sacrificed for another value, how does this impact the local assembly and/or the larger body of Christ?  Is there a pattern of dissolution or apostasy in churches that lose authentic worship?    Is there a Christian concept of “beauty” that impacts this discussion?

The Essentials of Body Life –

Popular speakers have re-emphasized the idea that God never designed the life of a believer to be lived in isolation from the local church.     The Scriptural case for this is strong, but what are the essentials of Body Life?   What level of participation is required of a Christian?   What elements must exist in a gathering of believers to fit the Biblical concept of “church”?

Inclusivism and the New Universalisms –

Several popular books have promoted the idea that all will be saved.   Popular religious leaders in television interviews give soft answers to questions about the eternal destinies of those who do not accept Christ as Savior.    Are these merely symptomatic of our age’s desire to soften hard edges in the name of a media-savvy appearance of reasonableness, or is there some Scriptural merit to this new inclusivism and/or universalism?  How does this discussion impact our view of missions and evangelism? If there is no Scriptural merit to these declarations, are the promoters of these presenting a defective gospel?

Sanctification:  Making our Practice and Process Match our Theology –

One of the complaints of Evangelicals against Fundamentalists is that Fundamentalists are “legalistic.”  Despite the fact that there are 5 views of Sanctification, are there core considerations of the Scripture’s claims on Sanctification that should impact this discussion?   Is the process of how we promote or preach sanctification disconnected from what the Scriptures say?    What, if anything, should a church or institution do to encourage/accelerate the process of Sanctification?   What should they not do?

Papers should connect theology and practice, address a fundamental of the faith in a doctrinal sense, be in academic form with footnotes, and be presented electronically in MS Word or PDF format via email to papers@standpointconference.com, and must state in the body of the email that the presenter is in agreement with the doctrinal statement on this site.   Papers should not exceed 25 pages in length using double-spaces, 1 inch margin, in a 12 point font (10 point footnotes).    All papers should be turned in by November 1, 2011.  Papers may be presented that were written for other venues, so long as publication rights are owned by the author who is presenting them to us.     If you ever presented this paper for publication in any other venue, please attach any such history.

Multiple papers may be accepted for publication, but one selected presenter in each field will be invited to give a verbal address at the Standpoint Conference 2012 or a future Standpoint Conference summarizing his findings.  

Papers may be submitted regarding other topics or themes, and may be considered for a future Standpoint Conference.   Papers submitted on the topics listed above should answer at least one of the questions given in our summary, on some level.    Those submitting papers should understand that the Evaluation Committee (still in formation) has a particular viewpoint, but welcomes excellent papers representing divergent views from their own, within the framework of the Standpoint doctrinal statement.    In the event that an excellent and convincing paper divergent from our views is presented, we reserve the right to allow the presentation of two competing papers at our conference and to schedule a debate/discussion panel.

Submission of a paper constitutes agreement that we may e-publish your paper freely, and make it available at no charge on the web.   In turn, we agree to not publish it in any edited form without your prior consent, and to only publish it with your name as presenter.   

In the event that print media versions are ever anticipated, prior negotiation will occur with regard to royalties prior to any such publication.

Plagiarism is grounds for immediate discarding of your presentation.

Discussion & input here.