Twelve delegates from three countries and six institutions gathered for a three day symposium on the Bible and Spirituality at Glenfall House from 4-6 May.
The event was hosted by the Centre for the Bible and Spirituality at the University of Gloucestershire and Andrew Lincoln, Gordon McConville and Lloyd Pietersen attended and presented papers. Shelley Saguaro also attended the opening dinner and gave a formal welcome on behalf of the Department of Humanities. The other institutions represented were:
- The Bible Society (which provided a substantial grant covering the major proportion of the costs of the symposium);
- The Titus Brandsma Institute at the University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands;
- The University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa;
- The University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa;
- The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
The symposium was a great success with the members of our own Centre having the opportunity to interact in depth with recognised leading international authorities in the academic field of spirituality. Although a number of differing emphases emerged, the sharpness of the debate was matched by a genuine spirit of conviviality. Discussions continued over meals and, at the end of the evening, over drinks from the bar! It was agreed that the ten papers presented at the symposium should be combined into an edited volume with an additional introductory chapter to be contributed by the two editors: Lloyd Pietersen and Pieter de Villiers. It is anticipated that this will be published by a leading European publisher. The volume would be presented as an initial exploration of what might be involved in the academic discussion of the field of the Bible and Spirituality. The extended introduction by the editors and the organizing of the rest of the volume would make clear the nature of the conversation and the role of the different papers in it. A blog has also been set up by Lloyd to enable participants to take the discussions further.
Glenfall House proved a magnificent venue and the whole programme went without a hitch. The overseas delegates were very appreciative of the accommodation and its surroundings. We certainly envisage ongoing contact and lively debate. Lloyd is anticipating a visit to both the University of the Free State and the University of South Africa next year.