Durham: Exploring the Glory of God conference

An exciting international conference will take place in Durham, the centre of biblical, theological and ecclesial training in the North East of England. The inaugural Exploring the Glory of God Conference, which will be held at St John's College and is in collaboration with Durham Cathedral, is scheduled from Wednesday 6 to Saturday 9 July 2016.

With a view to initiating academic and ecclesial dialogue, speakers and presenters will explore biblical, theological, and aesthetic dimensions of divine glory.

The conference will feature six keynote addresses from distinguished scholars and clergy who are at the cutting edge of academic and church dialogue: Oxford University's Regius Professor of Hebrew, Professor Jan Joosten will deliver the conference opening address on The Indwelling of God in the Hebrew Bible.

On Thursday Professor David Ford (OBE), Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University, will speak on,"To See My Glory": Jesus in John's Gospel. That evening, acclaimed Anglican theologian Dr Paula Gooder is scheduled to present St John's College's annual Vasey Lecture at Durham Cathedral on Glory and Worship in Biblical Tradition.

Friday's keynote address will feature Revd Professor David Brown (FBA, FRSE), Emeritus Wardlaw Professor of Theology, Aesthetics and Culture, University of St Andrews, who will speak on Balthasar: Art and Glory. The Marishal Chair of Divinity at University of Aberdeen, Professor Tom Greggs, will lecture on The Glory of God in the People of God: Participating in the Intensity of the Spirit's Life. The concluding keynote address, Paul and the Glory of God, will be delivered by Emeritus Professor James Dunn (FBA) of Durham University.

Regional and international participants will deliver over forty papers at the conference sessions and seminars. Multidisciplinary presentations will cover the Old and New Testaments, Doctrinal, Historical and Practical Theology and Theologians of glory. Liturgy, Hymnody, Cosmology and Science are also included in the line-up of subjects. One of the conference sessions will feature a multi-denominational panel of clergy who will discuss the topic, God's Glory in the 21st Century Church: Celebration, Proclamation and Manifestation. A disability symposium entitled, Beyond Expectations: The Glory Within, will explore how God's glory is revealed in people with disabilities and their carers.

As a prelude to Thursday evening's Vasey Lecture at Durham Cathedral, celebrated soprano Awet Andemicael from Yale University will sing a glory-themed musical program.

The Visions of Glory art exhibition will showcase the work of artists in a variety of media, including Shaeron Caton-Rose, Robert Cooper and Paul Judson among others. The art will be displayed in Durham's ancient church of St Mary the Less, which serves as the chapel for St John's College. Conference delegates can also explore the glory of God through Salvador Dalí's Biblia Sacra. This impressive suite of 105 paintings by the famous artist, depicting scenes from Genesis to Revelation, will be on display at St John's College. Conference delegates also have the option of participating in a Glory in Sacred Spaces and Objects tour of Durham Cathedral.

The Exploring the Glory of God conference offers a wealth of resources to encourage academic research, empower clergy, equip lay ministry, and advance the knowledge of God's glory in our communities.

Sponsors of the conference include Hymns Ancient & Modern and the Centre for Catholic Studies. It is hoped that this gathering will foster interdenominational unity around the enduring exhortation to "glorify God and enjoy Him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism #1). All are invited to register and participate in this exciting conference.

Information: Exploring the Glory of God Conference takes place from 6-9 July 2016 at St John's College 3 South Bailey Durham DH1 3RJ

See: conference website: www.gloryconference.wordpress.com

Registration information: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-the-glory-of-god-conference-2016-registration-19237578114

Twitter: @ExploreGlory

For all other information please contact Dr Akala at: glory.conference@durham.ac.uk