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An International Conference "Academic Theology In A Post-Secular Age"

2011-11-21 11:15

The first day of the conference began with ecumenical prayer. Welcoming words were addressed to all participants by Alexei Bodrov, rector of the St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological Institute (Russia); Taras Dobko, senior vice-rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Fr. Roman Fihas, scientific collaborator of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies, and Hans Spinder, a representative of the Netherlands Organization "Kerk in Actie".

The main emphasis of the meeting was presented in the opening address – the development of religious doctrine within the frames of post-secular socium. "It is important to renew an academic theology in our secular environments, as if theological idea has to be more methodological than ideological", – stressed Taras Dobko, senior vice-rector of the UCU. Gregory Gutner, a representative of the St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological Institute, appealed to the conference participants with similar idea.

On the parallels between religion and philosophy spoke in his report the representative of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Krakow University of John Paul II, Jakub Homulka. According to the philosophical concept of scholar presented three dominant religious doctrine: an empirical vision (the miracles associated with the life of Jesus Christ, includingHis resurrection) metaphysical vision (that is not included inthe scope of our knowledge - the phenomenon oftransformation of the Eucharist), the spiritual approach. According to the philosophical concept, the scholar presented three aspects of religious doctrine: an empirical vision (the miracles associated with the life of Jesus Christ, including His resurrection), a metaphysical vision (that which is not included in the scope of our knowledge, the phenomenon of transformation of the Eucharist), and the spiritual approach.

In addition, speakers appealed to the problems of theology in Ukraine. In particular, the coordinator of the Ukrainian Distance Master's Program of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies, Taras Kurylets, turned in his report to the issue of renewal of academic theology, which today in Ukraine is tied to denominations, having departed from the canons of the post-Soviet atheism. "Today, Ukraine is a country in which the spirit of ecumenism is reigning. Theology must be not only confessional, but also intellectually honest. There should be not only competition but also cooperation", – emphasized Taras Kurylets.

Nadiya Iliushenko instead turned to global issues, in particular the transformation of religious consciousness of modern society and religious and philosophical outlooks. Within the frames of the conference participants had an opportunity to begin a discussion around the raised questions.

The conference is organized by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University in cooperation with the St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological Institute (Moscow) with the support of the Missionary Relief Association "Kerk in Aktie" (the Netherlands).