None of the regulars on EMavs were able to attend this monumental theological conference at Wheaton this year.  However, one of our friends Jonathan Park did attend and has graciously agreed to provide his reflections of the conference.

Here are Jonathan’s Reflections

After eating a number of slices from Giordano’s Pizza, I found myself wondering why I was attending this year’s Wheaton Theology Conference.  I would be surrounded by theology and bible geeks (some of them very pretty), who were light years ahead of me.  I probably wouldn’t understand most of the content presented during the sessions.  So why choose to go?  I then remembered the conference theme, which was Jesus, Paul and the People of God: A Theological Dialogue with N.T. Wright.  This was why I attended.  Not just because of Wright’s awesome voice.  I wanted to see a dialogue happen.  Much to my delight, it did happen.  This was not an N.T. Wright pep rally, as some may interpret it from the conference theme alone.  Each speaker pointed out strengths, but also pointed out possible weaknesses, as seen from their perspective, in Wright’s biblical studies and theology.  In his responses during the panel discussions, Wright showed what it truly means to be a scholar among fellow scholars at points of disagreement.  He handled their critique and questions well, and he never got defensive.  The others speakers were also likeminded in their responses as well.  In the end, even though disagreements remained to some extent, he and his fellow panelists could laugh together, and joke about how they should probably go deeper into dialogue over some beer and/or wine.

The sessions with N.T. Wright himself were a real blessing.   His papers on Jesus and Paul were spectacular, ultimately making one want to love Jesus more, and appreciate the big picture when reading Scripture.  You could sense his pastoral care in the words he spoke, showing that he not only cared deeply about what he was talking about, but also cared deeply for the people of God, especially in his plea for everyone to go out and be the people of God in a hurting world in light of a strong picture of Christ and a strong appreciation of the big picture in Scripture.  And if anyone wants to listen to what is probably the best 15-20 minute message on Ephesians, listen to his chapel message at Wheaton.  It will not disappoint.

Now, are these reflections a kind of post-conference pep rally for N.T. Wright?  Maybe.  I do hold a deep respect for him, and not just because of his rigorous scholarship, clarity in communication, and pastoral heart.  Going back to what I said above, the fact that he was willing to come to the conference for fruitful dialogue with other scholars deserves applause.  However, Brady Martin reminded me of a particular danger, which I wholeheartedly agree with.  I hope that people do not simply accept everything Wright says on the basis of his personality.  The lens with which we view those whom we admire are always out of focus.  We should critically examine his writings and things that he has said.  To not ask tough questions is to dishonor his work, as Brian Walsh pointed out in his presentation with Sylvia Keesmaat.  An opposite danger I also want to point out, and close with, is the danger of outright dismissal of N.T. Wright, for which there is no justification.  In this case, you have no lens, and can’t see jack.  In an exercise of self restraint, for this post is already too long, I will only say that I hope people who are wary of certain views that Wright holds will still be quick to listen to, and slow to speak at, N.T. Wright.  No one wants to be in dialogue with anyone who has the attitude of “I cannot hear you because of what I expect you to say.”

Here are the lectures from the conference.