Research Day

Andrew Stobart (Wesley)

(Zoom Room 1)

Carole Irwin (Wesley)

The reality of difference, and particularly the tensions between secularity and religious identity, is a feature of late-modern Western democracies.  How can Christians negotiate these tensions as they find expression in the daily ‘aporiae’ of practiced Christian conviction, without sliding into forms of culture war?

(Zoom Room 1)

Joseph Moiba (Wesley)

This paper is about reality in Sierra Leone vis-à-vis the Wesleyan manifesto and how it can influence Sierra Leonean political and economic practices. The paper is based on theological reflections on good governance and best economic practices drawn from the Wesleyan  manifesto and scriptural holiness in Sierra Leone.

Kate Loewenthal (CTF)

Trauma is defined. Known effects of trauma, and forms of therapy are summarised. Cases of trauma therapy from the orthodox Jewish community are described.  Clients distinguished intellectual religious belief from religious faith. Faith was destroyed by trauma, and returned following therapy. Wider implications for other faith groups are discussed.

Sue Price (MBIT)

I will present some of the key findings from my PhD research which is now nearing completion.  I will consider the practical theology offerings my findings can contribute to a secular healthcare setting.

Debbie Caulk (Wesley)

While the word ‘mindfulness’ may be new, various  forms of mindfulness practice are found consistently in historic Christian writings. My research focuses on the life and writings of Agnes Collinson Bulmer (1775-1836), who taught mindfulness practices to Anglican-Methodist women living in stressful, dangerous, Georgian-era Britain.

Kirsty Borthwick (Westcott)

In this paper I present my research on Augustine’s forma servi, forma dei Christology and its influence on prayer. Augustine’s concern is with how Christ ‘acts’, rather than Christ’s ‘being’. Thus, I will read his Christology as an invitation for Christ to perfect us for the activity of contemplation.

Sarah Dunlop (Ridley) and Catherine Nancekievill (Westcott)

Lunch break

Andrew Dunlop (Ridley)

Elizabeth Piki (CTF)

The study aims at finding out the identity and social experiences of black men in the UK, and the reasons of black men’s overrepresentation in gangs and criminal activity.

Cross-cultural Leadership in the Methodist Church in Britain

Gemma Simmonds (MBIT)

A recently completed research project  by The Religious Life Institute at MBIT interviewing Catholic and Anglican women vocations seekers in the UK & Ireland suggests that there is no crisis of vocations, but there is a significant crisis of culture determining the future of religious life as traditionally lived.

Closing Plenary Discussion

Andrew Stobart (Wesley)

An opportunity to discuss what we have noticed about the research agenda of the Cambridge Theological Federation through the presentations today.

(Zoom Room 1)

End