The One Hundred Fifty-Fourth Meeting
THE AMERICAN THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Midwest Division
The One Hundred Fifty-Fourth Meeting
Friday, October 29, 2004
McCormick Theological Seminary
5460 South University Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
Kirsch Common Room, Francis A. McGaw Center, 1:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Nowhere to Lay Our Heads:
Open Theism in Relation to Classical, Traditional Freewill, and Process Theisms and the Open Theism Controversy within Evangelicalism
John Sanders, Research Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Huntington College
Respondent: Roger E. Olson, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
Registration and Refreshments, 2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
THEOLOGICAL TABLE -TALK
Kirsch Common Room, Francis A. McGaw Center, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m.
A Panel Led Discussion on Open Theism
Gary Dorrien, Kalamazoo College
Antje Jackelén, Lutheran School of Theology Chicago
Roger E. Olson, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
Moderator: James S. Nelson, North Park University
Reception, Dinner and Business Meeting: Refectory, Lutheran School of Theology, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
EVENING PROGRAM
Kirsch Common Room, Francis A. McGaw Center, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
God’s Time
R. William Hasker, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Huntington College
Respondent: Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary
ATS Officers (Midwest Division)
Robert A. Cathey, Member-at-Large
Antje Jackelén, Vice President
Paul P. Parker, Secretary/Treasurer
The Program: The Midwest Division of the American Theological Society is a regional organization of scholars who teach and publish in the fields of religious studies. The Society’s semiannual meetings often reach beyond their local members to include scholars from across the country and around the world to present papers and participate in vigorous debate. For this meeting the Executive Committee focuses the Society’s attention on the raging disputations about open theism.
John Sanders will open the Society’s 154th meeting with a paper on the controversies swirling around open theism among process and evangelical theologians to which Roger Olson will respond with a critique after which all participants will engage in a full discussion. The early afternoon paper will be followed by Theological Table-Talk panelists (Gary Dorrien, Antje Jackelén and Roger Olson) who will lead a mid-afternoon debate on open theism (moderated by Jim Nelson). After a social hour, dinner and the business meeting, the Society will be honored to have the Emeritus Professor of Philosophy from Huntington College, William Hasker, present his paper on God’s Time to which Alan Padgett will respond and the Society discuss.
Please join the conversation and participate in whatever portion of the program fits your schedule. The Executive Committee designs each meeting for both collegial renewal and vigorous intellectual grappling. Why not break free of your routine and engage your colleagues over good food and drink for mind, body, and soul?
Books will be available to purchase (the first one at 20% off; see the attached coupon) from the LSTC Book Center’s display of texts. The Jesuit-Krauss-McCormick Library will also have an array of books available for perusal on open theism and related topics.
Directions and Parking: Directions to McCormick Theological Seminary are conveniently located on its website.
Members can utilize the free guest parking behind MTS, street parking around the neighborhood, or the University of Chicago’s parking garage at 55th and Ellis Avenue.
Seminary Housing is available and can be arranged by contacting Diane Sinish, Director of Resident Life, by phone (773) 947-2950, fax (773) 288-5238, or
Registration and Dinner Reservations: To pre-register for the meeting and make reservations for dinner please call, write or email Paul P. Parker and declare your intentions: office phone (630) 617-3559; paulp@elmhurst.edu; or Department of Theology and Religion–Box 26, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Because ATS meetings are supported by the host institutions, there is no registration fee and only nominal dining expenses–$24.00 this spring, payable to the Society at dinner.
Dues: Annual dues are $15 for members and $10 for associate members to be paid each year at the fall meeting. If you did not submit your dues last year, you may attend to last year and this year’s dues at any time through the mail. Attention to this is greatly appreciated. Also, the Society’s membership roster remains strong only as we introduce the Society to our eligible colleagues, invite them to join us, and sponsor them for membership.