World Christianity Unit
For the June 2025 virtual meeting, the World Christianity Unit is seeking papers that respond to the presidential theme of freedom. Specifically, we are interested in papers that will touch on the relationship between Christianity and nationalism. Given the current proliferation of nationalisms, there are many opportunities to explore Christianity’s historical relationship to freedom, including through various approaches to mysticism and other forms of spirituality; democracy and independence; a hermeneutic of freedom in the context of Christianity; and the dilemma that arises when Christianity is found on both sides of a national or international conflict, whether violent or non-violent. Potential topics include, but are of course not limited to, the intrareligious dynamics of the Orthodox Churches in Ukraine and Russia; competing forms of nationalism in India, including Hindutva and Northeast Indian Christian nationalism; the age of independence in Latin America.
In light of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025, we are also planning to historically examine Nicaea through the lens of World Christianity. We are particularly interested in questions pertaining to orthodoxy, transgression, and power regarding the Nicene Creed, eventually expanded at Constantinople with an added emphasis on the Holy Spirit. We would like to receive papers that think critically about potentially problematic aspects of Nicaea, especially as the defining moment of Christendom. In what ways do contemporary Christian leaders still long for Christendom and the power associated with it? This topic relates to questions of who holds the power to decide what happens for Christian congregations internally, as well as for larger denominational structures. On the other hand, in what ways might Nicaea be celebrated for its ability to bring about unity within Christianity? Does Christian unity require a strongman in the process of establishing and maintaining ecumenism? What does it mean to be united in the context of Christianity?
This Unit seeks to explore the intercultural, interconfessional, and interreligious dynamics of Christianity as a world religion, bringing into conversation scholars in the disciplines of history, mission studies, ecumenical studies, theology, sociology of religion, anthropology of religion, and religious studies.