Sunday, March 07, 2010

Things to Look Forward To

The World Cup begins in South Africa in just over 90 days. Last night some Scots asked me who I would be cheering for and I said maybe England, "since I'm here." I was quickly rebuffed: "You're not in England," and was reminded that Scots pulling for England is like Canadians cheering for the U.S.---not completely unheard of, but almost! My favourite player is Spanish, so I may cheer for them, or maybe Cote d'Ivoire or South Korea. Mostly I am looking forward to the football.

Before then, however, there is a lot going on. We've got some family visiting in a few weeks, so we're thinking about a train ride into the Highlands (Loch Ness?) or down the North Sea coast (St Andrews?). After that things really start heating up academically:

April 12 -13: The UK's Society for the Study of Theology annual conference is at the University of Manchester.

I've been accepted to present a paper on the conference's main theme, "Theology and the Arts"---so I'll be brushing off the old Master's Thesis and presenting something subtitled"The Narrative Theology of GK Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday."


May 12-13: The Systematic Theology department of the Aberdeen University School of Divinity has an internal study conference at Pluscarden Abbey near Elgin, Scotland.

I'll probably give a draft-portion of my dissertation a dry run at this conference, maybe on the relation of forgiving to self-giving in the agape section of Church Dogmatics IV/2. But don't hold me to that.

July 1-3: Our school is hosting a theology conference entitled: "Nil Illegitimi Carborundum: Theology, the Church, and Controversy." Pretty interesting theme (not to mention the title), and a great line-up of presenters.

By then I hope to have the culminating paper of my first year of studies completed. The working title is "Forgiveness Within the Community in Karl Barth's Doctrine of Reconciliation." It is basically a preview of my larger project which explores the ecclesiology implicit in that final volume of Barth's weighty theological contribution. On the basis of this paper the school will make their part of the decision regarding my continuance with the PhD (my part is to check the couch cushions for some money)!

If that all goes well---the World Cup fun will be all the sweeter.

3 comments:

Dave M said...

I remember the last time Scotland were in the world cup, they played Brazil in the opener and nearly came away with a draw but for a certain celtic defender to score an OG.

I hope they are there again next time.

Some of those conferences sound pretty larger than life. I hope all goes great.

The Hansens said...

I wish I could share in your football excitement, but I am glad for you. I might just hold you to that forgiving to self-giving in the agape section of Church Dogmatics IV/2. I was just thinking about that the other day...

J

Jon Coutts said...

Thanks Dave. Scotland's run for 2010 qualification was disappointing. It would have been awesome had they made it.

Jen: You were just thinking about that? What were you thinking? Or are you mocking my obscurity?

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