Making an Encyclopaedia of Theology for the 21st Century

Open Panel

The St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology hosts a growing collection of articles drawn from 115 current submissions and a commissioned total of almost 300. Five religious traditions are represented by teams of academic and senior editors, at various phases of development.

As the SAET enters its first year of publication it is worth reflecting on its achievements and the challenges it has faced. The panel will focus on the following questions:

1. Is the way theology is done today suited to encyclopaedic description?
2. What particular challenges face each of the encyclopaedia’s faith traditions as they conceptualize ‘theology’ and attempt to map its contours?
3. How have authors responded to the challenge to be encyclopaedic in their treatment of themes and/or concepts?
4. What kinds of reader are envisaged for the Encyclopaedia and how might it best serve them?
5. How does one meet the technical challenges of launching a free, online resource of this kind?
6. To what extent should an encyclopaedia of this sort reflect the field of academic theology or try to move it forward?

Inquiries and proposals for short papers of no more than twenty minutes in length may be directed to [email protected]

Chair

Dr Oliver B. Langworthy (University of St Andrews)

Current Speakers

Dr Brendan Wolfe (University of St Andrews)

Dr Rebekah Dyer (University of St Andrews)

Dr Miriam Feldmann Kaye (Bar Ilan University)