A spirited debate between two University of Memphis professorsnine years ago will be rekindled Friday at the ninth annualChristianity in the Academy Conference.
"The conference was born out of a theological debate among twoprofessors who disagreed about the role a Christian professorshould play on a secular campus," said political science professorand conference organizer Bill Marty. "They decided to have aconference about it and had so much fun we decided to continueit."
The latest installment of the debate will be held tomorrow from8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the University Center. Registration forfull- time faculty is $40. For adjunct faculty, students, retiredfaculty and other participants, the cost is $15. The price includesa luncheon.
This year, the conference theme is "Confronting the Academy witha Christian Vision," an exploration of how faculty and students canproclaim their faith on the campus.
Marty acknowledged that many of the 18 papers at the academicconference would diverge from the stated theme because theconference is geared toward an intellectual discussion of numerousreligious topics that affect all people.
"It's a place where you can talk to your colleagues and ask,'What does this mean for me?'" Marty said.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the first two sessions beginat 9 a.m. Each session will include two or three paperpresentations, followed by a question and answer period.
The six sessions will be spread among three time slots, allowingthe attendees to choose which of the two sessions to attend at eachtime.
Among the papers to be discussed are "Liberation Theology:Revolution and the Arts in Latin America" and "Husserl'sReflections on the Philosophic Vocation as Contrasted to ReligiousVocations."
Bill Jenkins of Crichton College will be the keynote speaker,presenting "Confronting the Christian with a Christian Vision." Thekeynote address will be presented during an extended luncheon.Jenkins has taught at both Christian and public institutions.
The conference is a chance for Christian faculty to congregateand discuss and debate topics, but Marty said anyone interested intaking an intellectual look at faith issues is welcome.
"You don't have to be a Christian to do a paper, and you don'thave to be a Christian to come," he said.
