A Godly Commonwealth? The Gospel and Scottish Identity

Submitted on 24th January 2012

Tags:

SETS conference graphic With discussions about Scottish independence firmly on the UK political agenda, the theme of the next Scottish Evangelical Theology Society conference is a timely look at national identity and the Christian faith.

We are delighted to host this conference at ICC on 16-17 April 2012.

The Scottish Evangelical Theology Society seeks to promote Scottish theology which serves the churches, is faithful to Scripture, grounded in scholarship, and catholic in scope.

David Fergusson (University of Edinburgh) opens the conference looking at a historical-theological overview of 'A Christian Scotland', with Jamie Grant (Highland Theological College) then offering a biblical basis for nationhood. Angus Morrison, minsiter of Orwell & Portmoak Parish Church considers Christian witness in postmodern Scotland, and finally Doug Gay (University of Glasgow) asks whether a Christian vision of Scottish identity is viable in the 21st century.

The whole conference seeks to explore a biblical framework for thinking about questions of national idenity. Speakers and attendees alike may not reach the same conclusions but together they will provide a thought provoking look at an issue that often causes division.

On the evening of the 16th Dewi Hughes will give the Finlayson Lecture, an open lecture addressing the theme of ethnicity and culture in the family of God. Dewi is the theological adviser for Tearfund UK, and the author of several books, including Castrating Culture, which argues for the importance of small language and culture groups being able to preserve their own identity.

The cost of the conference is £30 (£24 for students or SETS members), with an additional booking fee of £10. More details can be found on the SETS website.