Spring 2013 Meeting of the Pacific Coast Theological Society - Eternity and Eternal Life

Friday, April 5th 2013 to Saturday, April 6th 2013

The Pacific Coast Theological Society (PCTS) invites you to attend its Spring Meeting on Friday, April 5 from 1:30-8:30 pm and Saturday, April 6 from 9:00 am–12:00 pm in Classroom “B” at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2451 Ridge Road, Berkeley.

The meeting begins Friday afternoon with a discussion of a paper by Robert Russell (GTU/CTNS) entitled “Eternity and Eternal Life: Reflections on Physics, Eschatology and Pannenberg,” drawn from his recent book Time in Eternity. Ted Peters (PLTS) will provide a response. Michael Dodds (DSPT), who recently wrote Unlocking Divine Action, similarly offers the paper, “The Motion of Time and the Eternity of God” with Anselm Ramelo (DSPT) responding.

Saturday morning a paper by Karen Lebacqz (PSR Emerita) entitled “Immortality or Abundance: A Stem Cell Conundrum” is met with a response by Lisa Fullam (JST). The conference concludes with a paper by Herman Waetjen (SFTS), “Time and everlasting life in the Gospel according to John: An alternative to Nicaea’s doctrine of the Trinity.”

As is the custom of the Society, all the papers and accompanying readings are posted on the PCTS website (www.pcts.org) and read ahead of time.

The Friday afternoon session is followed by cocktails and dinner. Reservations for dinner ($25) are required. Please contact Sharon P. Burch, Treasurer, (415) 256-1842, spburch@att.net.

Saturday morning, the group will convene at 9:00 am for coffee and light refreshments. The open discussion session follows and finishes by noon.

Free Public Lecture Friday Evening: PCTS is also pleased to announce a free public lecture “Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile: Framing Questions, Facilitating Change” by Dr. Sharon Burch on Friday, April 5 at 7:00 pm in Classroom “B” at CDSP. She will address some of the major challenges faced by religion, culture, and theology in the 21st century and how Tillich’s method of correlation might apply to these challenges. Does systematic theology provide a Christian response? Is it effective?

About the society: PCTS is a professional society dedicated to the exchange of views on topics germane to the theological endeavor. It has a long and distinguished history, and its founding pre-dates the establishment of the GTU. Membership is open to scholars and students interested in the theological endeavor broadly defined. Dues are $45 per academic year for actively employed scholars and $22.50 for retirees and students. Go to www.pcts.org for further information.