North American Paul Tillich Society

Tillich’s Philosophy vis-à-vis Contemporary Technology and Its Effects on Human Experience and Society 

For the 2026 Annual Meeting of the North American Paul Tillich Society, the Society seeks papers vaguely organized around this theme: Tillich’s Philosophy vis-à-vis Contemporary Technology and Its Effects on Human Experience and Society. This theme is broader than AI and endeavors to place Tillich’s work in conversation with critical theoretical approaches in philosophy and theology as they pertain to technology. The Society is particularly interested in papers, or panels, addressing topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• Tillich and digital ethics, surveillance, media theory, healthism and/or environmentalism
• Technological effects and Tillich’s contributions to existentialism and political theory
• Technological effects and critical philosophical and theological approaches to Tillich dealing with socioeconomic inequality, gender, sexuality, and/or race
• Potential technological sentience and its implications for rationality, the concept of God, and creation
• Technology in relation to Tillich’s treatment of questions about power and ideology. 

Papers on other themes which are timely and intended to advance the contemporary development of Tillichian studies, especially beyond the realm of Christian doctrine, are also welcomed. 

North American Paul Tillich Society Fellowship

Additionally, NAPTS seeks paper proposals from junior scholars (ABD or PhD completed no earlier than 2023) to participate in its Annual Meeting. Up to two selected participants will become 2026 Tillich Society Fellows. Each fellow will receive up to $250 in travel reimbursement to attend the Annual Meeting and will have their NAPTS dues waived for the year; please explicitly state that the proposal is for the Fellowship, not the general call, in order to be considered for funding. Fellows will also be assigned a mentor from among the more senior scholars in the Society who have related interests.

Proposals should develop an aspect of Tillich’s thought (i.e., a theme, trajectory, or method) or constructively employ Tillich’s method within their work. We encourage papers that use specific philosophical and theological approaches or ideas from Tillich to address contemporary cultural issues. In selecting Fellows, weight will be given to original constructive contribution over demonstration of exhaustive knowledge of Tillich’s works. Abstracts of dissertation chapters, journal articles, or book chapters in progress are quite welcome. 

To propose a paper for one of the topics in the general CFP, please submit an abstract of approximately 350 words and a current CV to Kirk R. MacGregor at macgregk@mcpherson.edu no later than May 1, 2026. Fellowship proposals should indicate that the proposal is for the Fellowship, not the general call, and should include a 250 word abstract of the paper and a CV; these materials also should be submitted to Kirk R. MacGregor at macgregk@mcpherson.edu by May 1, 2026. Selected proposals for the CFP and selected Fellows will be notified no later than June 1, 2026. Accepting the Fellowship includes agreement to attend the sessions of the NAPTS Annual Meeting on Friday, November 20, 2026, in Denver, CO in conjunction with the AAR and SBL. Submission of any panel proposal indicates agreement by the panelists to submit a full paper draft by November 1, 2026 for pre-circulation among the panelists. Panel presentation durations will be limited in order to privilege time for Q&A and discussion of the papers.