More than 185 scholars, pastors, theologians, and musicians gathered on the campus of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., for the 54th annual Wesleyan Theological Society (WTS) meeting, March 14-16. Dr. John Collins (Yale Divinity School) gave the keynote address on the conference theme, “Eschatology.” The meeting was presided over by WTS President, Dr. Sam Powell (Point Loma Nazarene University), who also gave the Presidential Address.
The Wesleyan Philosophical Society, Wesleyan Liturgical Society, and Wesleyan Historical Society, and The Charles Wesley Society each held meetings on the seminary campus in conjunction with the conference.
Conference attendees from more than 30 institutions discussed the theme in sessions covering a variety of topics, with over 70 papers covering systematic theology, biblical studies, philosophy, missions, historical studies, pastoral theology, worship, and pop culture.
At the Liturgical Society meeting on Thursday, Professor Becky Davis presented a paper entitled “Inaugurated Eschatology and Corporate Worship: God’s Kingdom Breaks In.” On Friday, Dr. Phil Davis presented his paper, “History, Narrative, and Prophecy: Lyotard and Wesley on Eschatology,” to the Wesleyan Theological Society. Dr. Mitch Modine followed on Saturday, with his paper entitled “’This Action Can Become Very Fast’: Apocalyptic and the Willful Embrace of Martyrdom.” All three papers were well-received, eliciting discussion with those who attended the sessions.
The WTS is an international fellowship of scholars, pastors, friends and students that comes together annually to discuss the work of Wesleyan Holiness theology and related topics. Information about the society and membership can be received by emailing society promotional secretary, Steven Hoskins, at shoskins@trevecca.edu.