In-person November Annual Meeting 2026 Program Book

The 2026 November Annual Meeting in Denver, CO: Friday, November 20 - Tuesday, November 24. All times are listed in Mountain Time Zone. For more information about the November Annual Meeting, co-hosted with the Society of Biblical Literature, click here.

Please note that this is the preliminary schedule and is subject to change. We anticipate a mostly final schedule in mid-August. If you have any questions, please contact annualmeeting@aarweb.org. For Other Events, your event is not confirmed until you received notification from AAR staff.

Friday, 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Colorado Conference Center, 702 (Street… Session ID: M20-303
Other Event
Papers
Vedanta, Madhyamaka, and Transcendental Theology
Between Brahman and a Finite God: Traversing Continents to Negotiate Theological Tensions
Peace: Unifying Human Minds, the World, and the Transcendent
A Vision of Society Grounded on a Theology and Philosophy of Diversity
Friday, 3:40 PM - 5:10 PM | Sheraton Denver, Vail (I.M. Pei Tower -… Session ID: M20-304
Other Event

Ethicists, theologians, and ordinary people have long recognized that absolute maxims inevitably collide with the moral complexity of the real world we inhabit. Contributors to this panel investigate how South Asians today navigate the demand for “absolute non-violence” promoted by Jain scriptural tradition and Gandhian ethics while engaging in productive philanthropic and civic activity. Panelists consider ways in which Hindus and Jains accommodate the problem of “karmic collateral” – the “knock-on” effects of environmental disruption which may accrue from otherwise virtuously motivated charitable activity, as well as the problem of the ideal of absolute non-violence in collective governance, e.g., instances in which inflicting harm may be necessary to prevent the infliction of greater harm in the future.

Friday, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Colorado Conference Center, 403 (Street… Session ID: P20-300
Papers Session

This session focuses on Barth's posthumous work, The Christian Life. It addresses the work's distinctive account of Christian witness, the "hallowing" of God's name, eschatology, human righteousness and unrighteousness, and related topics.

Papers

In The Christian Life, Karl Barth conceptualizes God’s future as an interruption of the present while also attesting its advanced presence as “first fruits” in the life of the community. This paper examines the tensions at play in these two conceptualities and demonstrates how Barth’s exposition of the petition for the hallowing of God’s name among those to whom God is presently both “known and unknown” participates in this tension. While acknowledging instabilities in Barth’s account, the paper argues that a productive tension between these two themes is vital to the fullness of Christian witness, mitigating against both quietism and triumphalism. Finally, the paper highlights certain dispositions appropriate to the Christian life this side of the eschaton, among them lament and humor.  


 

This paper considers the dogmatic presuppositions that underpin Barth's commendation of "revolt." It reckons with the claim that the fulfillment of the covenant of grace does not mean the closure of that same covenant; it pays particular attention to "revolt" as a key element of an eschatological ethic that views disruptive political activity as integral to Christians' obligation to move forward to meet the coming Kingdom of God. This eschatological ethic, the paper suggests, is not merely consonant with the "moral ontology" of the Dogmatics. It expands Barth's ethical program in the context of the doctrine of reconciliation (and, by anticipation, redemption); and it does so in ways that disclose common ground between Barth and earlier advocates of the "social gospel.” In its conclusion, the paper notes that Barth's insistence that Christians become "comrades of the Kingdom" has acute contemporary significance in contexts beset by far-right extremism.

Friday, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Embassy Suites Denver Downtown,… Session ID: M20-305
Other Event

Feminist Liberation Theologians’ Network Annual Meeting will focus on the rapidly changing face of feminist studies in religion in light of AI. We will address some implications of this reality for scholars and activists alike. Global backlash against women and non-binary people in this same context invites us to reconsider strategies and to deepen our common work. The meeting will include networking time as well as focused discussion. Plan to participate!
The FLTN Annual Meeting is open to all. RSVP waterstaff@hers.com. For further information, contact: Mary E. Hunt mhunt@hers.com.

Friday, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Colorado Conference Center, Bluebird 3B… Session ID: M20-404
Other Event

A Conversation about the Gospel of John
Holly Carey )Abilene Christian University)
Interviewed by Heather Gorman (Point University)

SCJ invites all who identify with the Stone-Campbell tradition for fellowship and conversation. For additional information contact William Baker (scjeditor@aol.com)

Friday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Sheraton Denver, Columbine (I.M. Pei… Session ID: M20-400
Other Event

Join us for a celebratory book launch of the Routledge Companion to Religion and Film, 2nd Edition. The editor and contributing authors will share the distinctive approaches featured in this volume. This roundtable will highlight selected chapters, offering a preview of its innovative scholarship for academics, educators, and students in the field. Expanding from the first edition, the companion presents theoretically sophisticated and contextually grounded analyses across a diverse range of films and issues. It examines global cinema reflecting varied cultures and religions (Abrahamic, African, Asian, Atheist, Native American, Pagan), employs multiple methodologies, and considers film production. This volume is a valuable resource for teachers and scholars. The launch includes a raffle for the book. For questions, contact Gloria Chien, Arnold Distinguished Professor, Gonzaga University, at chien@gonzaga.edu. RSVP for refreshments: https://forms.office.com/r/GX3qL7NHHJ?origin=lprLink