Idolatry is not about worshipping physical idols; idolatry is about worshipping false idols. It is about valuing above all what should be valued least of all. Idolatry is about worshipping money over justice, valuing power over responsibility, and praising lies despite the need for truth. Idolatry is human deception, and it is found in our collective cultural histories from biblical times to the present setting in America. Insight into idolatry and its abuse of power is important to understand because such insight, in biblical terms, is related to justice, and justice is an action that requires the truth.
At its annual conference in May (29–31) in San Diego, Westar will address the challenging question of idolatry and power renewed and strengthened in contemporary American culture. Where idolatry reigns, lies and truth are indistinguishable. Westar biblical scholars and theologians will gather to discuss and expose the abusive use of power that substitutes tantalizing lies for liberating truth.
Gary Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. Dorrien will speak about the Social Gospel in Black and White. Rita Nakashima Brock is Senior Vice President for Moral Injury Recovery Programs at Volunteers of America. A feminist theologian, she will speak on Animating Creation: Why We Must Recover Christianity’s Love for This Earth.
Brandon Scott, Darbeth Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Phillips Theological Seminary and John D. Caputo, Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus and the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, will lead an important cultural and religious discussion on the fate of truth in a post-truth and media driven age. Their focus on the history of media, the transformation of our thinking affected by social media, calls for a needed new paradigm in religion.
Karen Bray, Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Wesleyan College, Elijah Prewitt, Davis, Professor of Religious Studies at Mount St. Joseph University, and Jeffrey Robbins, Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Lebanon Valley College, unite to define and address the question of idolatry in a postmodern and post-theistic world. Idolatry engages in the spectacle, but the spectacle sacrifices social values for thrills. The thrill of the spectacle occurs with the loss of social connections, the loss of democracy. The extremely important discussion brings idolatry to bear on our future.
Chad Venters, Professor of Humanities and Philosophy at Truckee Meadows Community College, and Arthur Dewey, Professor of Theology at Xavier University, take the audience on a journey with the book of Revelation. The vision of John of Patmos recorded in the book of Revelation, says a lot about life and protest in the Roman empire, but the voice of concern and protest Revelation records is lost on modern ears that abuse its meaning as a secret end-time code. Revelation needs “saving.”
Jason BeDuhn, Professor of Comparative Religion at Northern Arizona University, Nina Livesey, Professor of Religious Studies Emerita at the University of Oklahoma, and Lillian Larson, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Redlands, will present the conclusions of the Christianity Seminar. After years of dedicated study and debate, some startling conclusions will be shared with the public, including the exposing the formulaic way Christian history is told, and how the diversity and experimentation always present in the rising popularity of Christianity has been consistently suppressed, ignored, and devalued in the telling of the story. This new view of the past changes the vision of the future.
(Some details below are in process)
From noon to 1:00 pm, a light lunch will be available
1:30–2:00 pm
Welcome
• David and Sarah: Welcome to the Conference
• Planned Giving Presentation
• David Explanation of the Fishbowl Event
2:10–3:30 pm (Livestream Event 1)
Scholars in the Fishbowl
Hosts: David Galston and Shirley Paulson (Livestream Event 1)
• Rotating scholars open to your questions
4:00–5:00 pm
Westar Wine and Cheese Reception
• Cheeses of Nazareth
• Estate Planning Information
7:30–9:00 pm (Livestream Event 2)
Featured Speaker: Gary Dorrien
• The Social Gospel in Black and White, Then and Now
10:00–11:30 am (Livestream Event 3)
The Truth Crisis: A Discussion on How Media Shapes Religion
Host: Robin Meyers
• Brandon Scott: If Everything is 0s and 1s, What is Truth: A New Paradigm for Religion
• John D. Caputo: The Truth is There is No Truth
1:30–3:00 pm (Livestream Event 4)
The Loss of Democracy: Idolatry and the Attraction of the Spectacle
Host: David Galston
Scholars: Jeffrey Robbins, Elijah Prewitt-Davis, and Karen Bray
3:30–5:00 pm (Livestream Event 5)
Jesus Christ! Is This the End? Revelation, Idolatry, and the Whole Shebang
Hosts: Robin McGonigle
• Arthur Dewey Revelation: What’s Really Going On with Revelation?
• Chad Venters When Jesus Met Jesus: Whatever Happened to the Real Revelation?
7:30–9:00 PM (Livestream Event 6)
Featured Speaker: Rita Nakashima Brock
• Animating Creation: Why We Must Recover Christianity’s Love for This Earth
10:00–11:30 am (Livestream Event 7)
The Christianity Seminar: A Report on Our Findings
Hosts and Scholars: Jason BeDuhn, Nina Livesey, Lillian Larsen
1:30–3:00 pm (Livestream Event 8)
Westar Coffee Shop: Arts and Entertainment Westar Style
Hosts: David and Sarah
• Pale Blue Dot
• Re-imagining Praxis
• Jesus and Church
• What the Historical Jesus Means to Me
3:00–5:30 pm
Free time
(Women of Westar, 3:10-4:00)
(Westar Scholars, 4:15-5:00)
5:30–6:30 pm (Livestream Event 9)
Celebration of Authors
• David Galston
• Jeffery Robbins
• Nina Livesey
• Joe Bessler
• Brandon Scott and Perry Kea
7:00–9:00 pm
Westar Banquet and Farewell
• If you are a Westar scholar, use Westar Scholar Full Registration
• If you are a Westar member, use Westar Member Full Registration
• If you are not a Westar member, use Non-Westar Member Full Registration
• If you are a friend or partner not registering for the conference but wanting to attend the social hours and enjoy the provided meals, use non-Registering Companion
Individuals and couples are responsible for their own accommodation. The Westar Conference will be held at the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp at 509 9th Avenue, San Diego, California.
Typically, a registrant will arrive on May 29 in time for the 1:30 PM start of the conference. Accommodation will be needed for May 29, 30, and 31.
Departure will be June 1.
Some individuals may wish to arrive on May 28 to ensure their presence for the afternoon of May 29 and to enjoy some of what San Diego offers prior to the start of the conference.
• The Westar book package option is $150.00 for a five-book package.
• Westar will determine what book choices are available for the package.
• Westar will seek to have the included books autographed by the author.
NB: Westar will enforce a non-refundable policy after March 31, 2025. Prior to March 31, refunds are available minus a $50.00 processing fee.
Discover a new way to experience the Gospel of Mark! Join our webinar and gain something fascinating to discuss with your grandkids or the young people in your life!
Power and Idolatry in America
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