Los Angeles Theology Conference 2023

March 15-17, 2023 at Biola University, La Mirada, CA

The 2023 Los Angeles Theology Conference will engage ecclesiology, that is, the doctrine about the Church. The goal of the conference is to offer constructive proposals for understanding and confessing the doctrine of the Church with historical depth, ecumenical scope, and analytic clarity. We are inviting theologians (philosophical, biblical, historical, and otherwise) to address this vital Christian doctrine.

Baylor University

“Nature, Culture, Church: Reconsidering the Church-World Divide”

Independent scholar

“Ecclesiology in a Postmodern Age”

University of Aberdeen

“Creatura Verbi: Hearing the Living Word through the Spirit in the Church”

Wheaton College

“Exilic Ecclesiology: Suffering and Apostolicity in Early Modern Reformed Theology”

University of Aberdeen

“The Sanctification of the Church: Contemplating the Progress of the People of God”

Download Schedule

Wednesday, March 15

7:00 – 9:00 pm Welcome and Plenary 1: Natalie Carnes, Baylor University, “Nature, Culture, Church: Reconsidering the Church–World Divide”

Thursday, March 16

9:00 – 10:30 am Plenary 2: Millard J. Erickson, Independent Scholar, “Ecclesiology in a Postmodern Age”

10:30 – 11:00 am Break (refreshments in exhibit hall)

11:00 am – 12:30 pm Plenary 3: Tom Greggs, University of Aberdeen, “Creatura Verbi: Hearing the Living Word through the Spirit in the Church”

12:30 – 2:00 pm Lunch (on own)

2:00 – 2:50 pm Parallel Session 1:

Stephen T. Davis, Claremont McKenna College and Eric T. Yang, Santa Clara University, “God’s Story and the Sameness of the Church Over Time”

Kimberley Kroll, Grand Canyon University, “Holy Branches: A Constructive Model of the Spirit’s Presence in the Church”

Steven Duby, Phoenix Seminary, “‘Bond of Peace’: Ecclesial Unity as Participation in the Son and Spirit”

2:50 – 3:30 pm Break (refreshments in exhibit hall)

3:30 – 4:20 pm Parallel Session 2

Beau Branson, Brescia University and Jordan Wessling, Lindsey Wilson College, “The Church as a Singular, Persisting Institution”

Kimlyn J. Bender, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, “Confessing Christ, Confessing the Church”

Marguerite Kappelhoff, Sydney College of Divinity, “The Marks of the Church and the Triune God: ‘Seeking and Creating Fellowship’”

4:20 – 5:30 pm Free time

5:30 – 7:30 pm Dinner (on own)

7:30 – 9:00 pm Plenary 4: Jennifer Powell McNutt, Wheaton College Graduate School, “Exilic Ecclesiology: Suffering and Apostolicity in Early Modern Reformed Theology”

Friday, March 17

9:00 – 10:30 am Plenary 5: Paul T. Nimmo, University of Aberdeen, “The Sanctification of the Church: Contemplating the Progress of the People of God”

10:30 – 11:00 am Break (refreshments in exhibit hall)

11:00 – 11:50 am Parallel Session 3:

Joshua Cockayne, University of St. Andrews, D. T. Everhart, University of St. Andrews, “‘Members of One Another’: Towards a Kierkegaardian Ecclesiology”

Steven Nemes, North Phoenix Preparatory Academy, “The Community of the Apostles and the Spiritual Nature of Christian Unity”

Matt Jenson, Torrey Honors College, Biola University, “Either/Or: On the Necessary, But Maverick, Distinction between Church and World”

11:50 am – 1:30 pm Lunch (on own)

1:30 – 2:20 pm Parallel Session 4:

Jonathan Hill, University of Exeter, “Communion of Saints: Knowledge and Love in Heaven and Earth”

Daniel L. Hill, Dallas Theological Seminary, “Bound Together in the Holy Fire: Purgation and the Unity and Holiness of the Church”

Alex Irving, St. Mellitus College, East Midlands, “The Body of Christ: A Soteriological Basis for the Theological Marks of the Church”

Adam Johnson, Torrey Honors College, Biola University, “The Cruciform Ministry of the Church: Refracting the Saving Work of Christ”

2:30 – 4:00 pm Plenary Speakers’ Panel Discussion

4:00 pm Dismissal

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