This was my first year at the annual Tyndale Fellowship conference for evangelical scholars. It was a brilliant experience and one that I look forward to repeating next year if I’m able. Here are five highlights and one disappointment from this year’s conference.
- Most Interesting Paper
The most interesting paper I heard (with the caveat that there are four separate streams and it’s impossible to hear them all) was Cornelis Bennema’s NT plenary session.
Dr Bennema explored the role of mimesis (basically the way of learning by copying a role model) in the ancient world (exploring Cicero, Aristotle and others) and then in the New Testament. His thesis was compelling, amusing and surprisingly relevant to pastoral work and Christian leadership in the contemporary church. In short, a large part of how the early church taught ethics and mission focused on the provision of exemplars for people to follow. Thus, for example, we are urged to imitate Christ in the Johannine letters while Paul expects the churches he supervises to emulate him and others who are following Jesus.
For me, the whole project raised the question of discipleship through the provision of role-models in my own church, particularly as it relates to building a devotional life. It also opens the way to a renewed use of the lives of the saints in contemporary evangelicalism.
- Most Heated Discussion
Each paper was expected to be followed by about 10 minutes of discussion. Hats off, then, Paul Rezkalla, then, whose paper on Calvinist and Molinist understandings of predestination left the Christian Philosophy stream paralysed by intense debate for an hour after he had finished presenting. The ensuing argument had nothing to do with Paul’s presentation which was delivered with characteristic humour and clarity. Some things are just meant to be…
- Personal Highlight
This is easy. Having begun my research (in Free Church ecclesiology) a year ago, this was the first time I have been able to present any part of it to colleagues for them to engage with and critique. It was scary but ultimately satisfying and hugely productive.
- Most Surreal Moment
This definitely goes to a bizarre 30 seconds queueing for a drink while Dr Ian Paul demonstrated his daily squatting routine to another delegate 3 feet behind me.
- Biggest Surprise
The food was amazing. I mean, problematically so. I’m still trying to work it off.
With all that, there was one low. I was really disappointed to miss the Think Conference happening concurrently in London. I missed catching up with friends and hearing Andrew’s excellent discussion of the gospel of Matthew. I hope that in future it might be possible for Think to be on a different week so that those of us who are presently involved in research and ministry can go to them both.
Deep Church 