“I am desperate for hope.” – Nadia Bolz-Weber

Hope wants to know “Hope for Whom?” and “Hope for What?” The project is to reclaim the
rhetoric of hope in such a way that not only invigorates discourse but promotes creative
flourishing. This includes, but is not limited to, dispelling destructive myths surrounding hope
that claim hope is only for those who deserve it, can afford it, who create it, etc. What
visions of hope are you holding on to? Can religious people forge a new rhetoric of hope in
the midst of a world still beset by political unrest, environmental degradation, growing
inequality and poverty, and on-going war? What is an appropriate way to speak of hope?
How can interfaith dialogue open new avenues towards hope?

Potential approaches to the topic include (but are not limited to):
● How can theology revitalize the sources of hope to make it relevant and
democratic?
● How can hope be reclaimed and sustained through education and practice that
seeks the flourishing of all life?
● Investigating the ancillary relationship between Hope, Lament, Anger, Courage,
and Joy (among others).
● How does hope propel the moral individual towards growth beyond the ego
towards justice and love?
● How does hope operate for the sinner and the sinned against?
● Where do we see hope in Scripture, and how can it inform Christian praxis
today?
● In what way have previous theologians or scholars engaged the idea of hope?
● How does hope manifest in non-Christian faiths?
● How is hope universal? Is it universal?

Submissions are encouraged from all disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives (biblical
studies, church history, Christian education, practical and pastoral ministry, theology and
ethics, etc). The Graduate Conference was founded and is managed by students at
Garrett-Evangelical. It aims to create a collegial atmosphere where graduate (master’s and
doctoral) students of religion and graduate seminarians have the opportunity to gain
experience sharing their work, collaborating, offering feedback, and networking with one
another.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Papers are due January 30, 2019. Papers should be no longer than 3000 words, double
spaced, follow the writing style appropriate to the field/area (i.e, Turabian, APA, SBL), and
include a bibliography. Papers should be accompanied by a 250 word abstract, stating the
thesis and summarizing the paper. The abstract should include your name, email address,
institutional affiliation, and degree program.
Papers will be reviewed by the student editorial board. Invitations to present at the
conference will be extended by February 14, 2019. Final papers are due February 28, 2019.
Final papers will be reviewed by Garrett-Evangelical faculty members and/or students, who
will offer a brief scholarly response.

 

CONTACT
Papers and abstracts should be sent to gtc@garrett.edu . Please direct questions or