ICS Worldview Conference

Toronto District Christian High School
377 Woodbridge Avenue
Woodbridge, ON L4L 2V7
• View Mapquest Map

Also coming to...
 → Vancouver: Feb. 3, 2007
 → Calgary, Mar. 3, 2007
 → Edmonton, Mar. 17, 2007

Christians confess that the Bible is the inspired word of God, meant to give direction to our lives as we seek to be faithful followers of Christ. Yet many of us yawn while we read it, if we read it at all, or resort to desperate measures like opening it randomly to shake out a contemporary meaning. How does Scripture provide guidance for living today? Isn't it full of outdated or conflicting points of view on a variety of ethical matters? This conference will help participants face squarely the ethical complexity of Scripture, while introducing a narrative framework for making sense of this difficulty, so that Scripture might provide guidance for us in the contemporary world.

Workshops | Art Exhibit | Schedule | Speakers | Sponsors | Register

 WORKSHOPS

A Question of Taste? – An Art, Craft and Kitsch Workshop
In her book ‘A Profound Weakness: Christians and Kitsch’ Betty Spackman invites us re-examine our attitudes toward art and kitsch, including religious kitsch. Why is it that some of the cheapest, tackiest and clichéd artifacts can touch our deepest feelings and religious beliefs? Can we condemn on artistic grounds something that may save souls? Is kitsch a matter of bad taste or does it reflect a domestication and sanitization of the gospel? How can we learn to grow towards aesthetic maturity? Alternatively, how can we learn to appreciate some of kitsch’ elements of fantasy and eccentricity?
Adrienne Dengerink Chaplin

Identity and Subversion in Babylon: Strategies of Resistance to the Dominant Worldview in the Music of Bob Marley and the Wailers
Rastafarianism has grown from its origins as a rural Jamaican cult in the 1920s to a spiritual vision and social force for black dignity throughout the world. Bob Marley, together with Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston (originally known as the Wailers), powerfully communicated in song the power of this vision, especially in the 1970s. We will examine the lyrics of representative songs, to explore their strategies for maintaining an alternative consciousness and identity in the face of the dominant culture (referred to by Rastafarians as "Babylon"). What can Christians learn from the differences between Marley, Tosh and Livingston about what constitutes appropriate subversion and identity formation in "Babylon" today?
Richard Middleton

The Role of Encounter in the Story of Creation: Biblical Approaches to Religious Pluralism
Participants will explore the overall theme of indwelling the Biblical narrative through its ethical tensions to find help for modern challenges. We’ll enter the Biblical narrative with questions about religious pluralism: exploring "encounter" as a Biblical subject, how differentials in power affect encounters, how ancient and modern people of faith are called by God to behave when encountering others, and the overall role of "encounter" in the unfolding of creation.
Rachel McGuire

Urban Sustainability
This workshop will examine issues of Urban Sustainability from a biblical perspective.
Ronald A. Kuipers and Elbert Van Donkersgoed

Just War & Peacemaking
Participants will explore biblical perspectives on war & peace in a moderated discussion.
Len Desroches & David Koyzis

Welcome the Stranger: Becoming Neighbours in an age of Fear
In a post 9/11 world, how can we hear Scripture’s call to Welcome the Stranger and Love our Neighbours? Canada accepts just a small percentage of the world’s displaced and many of these remain strangers and feel unwelcome once they arrive. What does “welcome” and what does “security” mean in today’s world? This workshop will explore these issues in the context of the ancient text’s call to love our neighbour.

Chris Pullenayegem is Refugee Policy Analyst and Harry Kits is Executive Director with Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). One of CPJ’s current initiatives is engaging the federal government and citizens on refugee issues.

For the Sake of Justice, Not Just for the Sake of It: A Fresh Look at Three (All Too) Familiar Passages
Trusting that the Bible provides light and guidance for living a truly human life and building a humane world, we ought to be suspicious of any interpretation that breeds injustice or perverts shalom. We'll look at three stories in the gospels and see how certain "traditional" interpretations have perpetuated unworldly spirituality, gender stereotypes, and economic injustice, then work together towards three interpretations that help us to hear afresh and anew Jesus’ words to "go and do likewise" in ways that call us to more risk and creativity in our attempt to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly" in our personal, interpersonal and public lives.
Jon Stanley

 ART EXHIBIT

Burning Questions: Images that Make Sense of Our World
This year's conference includes an art exhibit comprised of an eclectic group of works by friends of ICS and IMAGO. The show runs in tandem with Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin's workshop, and is also a precursor to the Art Talks! 10th anniversary exhibit opening on November 10th, 2006.

 SCHEDULE

SPEAKERS & FACILITATORS

Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin is professor of philosophical aesthetics at ICS. Her teaching foci and research interests are: art and religion, the history of aesthetics, art and embodiment, philosophy of music and the question of meaning in art.

Rachel McGuire, currently a PhD student at ICS, is the Director of Rochester Mosaic Partnerships Program Odyssey of Humanity.

Ronald A. Kuipers joined the faculty of ICS as professor of the Philosophy of Religion in 2005. His research and teaching concentrate on the social relevance of religious life patterns in pluralistic Western societies. Ron is graduate of ICS earning his MPhilF and PhD.

Elbert Van Donkersgoed, long time spokesperson for the family farm and agricultural stewardship at the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, is now the Executive Director of the GTA Agricultural Action Committee.

Len Desroches is an associate of Christian Peacemaker Teams. He frequently presents training to new CPT members on the biblical foundations of non-violence, active peacemaking and conscientious objection to war.

David Koyzis pursued higher education at Bethel College (now University), the Institute for Christian Studies and the University of Notre Dame. He now lives in Hamilton, Ontario, where he teaches at Redeemer University College.

Harry Kits is the executive director of Citizens for Public Justice, a faith-based public policy development and advocacy group. His recent advocacy sought to ensure that refugees have access to Canadian student loan programs. Harry received his B.A. from Dordt College, Iowa, and his MPhilF from ICS.

Chris Pullenayegem is Refugee Policy Analyst with Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). One of CPJ's current initiatives is engaging the federal government and citizens on refugee issues.

Jon Stanley is a doctoral student in Interdisciplinary Philosophy at ICS. Also a therapist, he is interested in the transformation that occurs as we read our own stories in the context of the wild story of God.

 REGISTER ONLINE (VISA or MasterCard)

Student prices are for full time students only.

Bursaries are available for those who are unable to attend due to financial reasons, thanks to an extra grant from the CRC Extension Fund.

For more information call 1-888-326-5347 ext. 233 (North America toll free) or 1-416-979-2331 (Toronto) or email . Prices and transactions are in Canadian dollars. Please register early so that there is enough time to contact you for confirmation.