Folks, October is going to be a busy month at United. First, Jason Vickers is bringing together a group of young(er) scholars to produce a volume on the renewal of doctrine in United Methodism. Since I am invited, I am grateful to Jason for the very generous definition of "young" that he is using.
Shortly thereafter, on Oct 4 and 5, United is partnering with the University of Dayton's Center for Scriptural Exegesis, Philosophy, and Doctrine to host a conference called "Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity." It is related to a book of the same title. Most of the contributors in the book will also be presenters at the conference.
On October 15 United will partner again with the University of Dayton along with Wright State University to host the Ryterband Symposium, a yearly event to discuss relationships between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Our speaker this year is Richard Elliott Friedman, who is the Ann and Jay Davis Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Georgia.
Finally, on October 17, United will hold our annual J. Arthur Heck Lecture Series. Our speaker this year is Amos Yong, the J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology and Director of the Doctor of Philosophy Program at Regent University. Yong is, in my opinion, one of the finest and most important theologians of our time. His topic is, "Christians and Disability: Renewing the Church and Healing the World."