You are invited to submit a 300-word abstract for a paper to be presented at the Christ, Culture and the Academy Conference. This interdisciplinary conference is sponsored by the International Institute for Christian Studies and Christian Studies International of Canada. Dr. Christine Schirrmacher and Dr. William Edgar will be plenary speakers. Papers will be presented on the theme of Christ, culture and the academy. The conference will include the following tracks:

1) What is the relationship of Christ to the culture and to the academy?
2) How can or should Christian academicians make a difference in the academy?
3) What role should the Christian academician play in seeking to evangelize students and other faculty?
4) How does or should a Christian worldview relate to the various academic disciplines?

What is the relationship of Christ to the culture and to the academy? How does/should Christ make a difference on culture and the academy? In what ways has the influence of a biblical worldview increased or decreased during particular eras of history? If Christ's will was done in the academy, how would it be different than it is currently? How does the sovereignty of God work in the present fallen world, e.g. how divine sovereignty affect the culture or the academy? Which of Niebuhr's classic categories on Christ and culture seem to be most accurate and biblical? In what ways could his typology be applied more specifically to the academy?

Why are the tasks of research and teaching holy and worthy vocations for a believer? In a world of immediacy and relevance, why is research and scholarship critically important both to the Church and the larger world? What is the biblical or theological basis for a comprehensive Christian worldview? How does a Christian worldview differ from other approaches to reality? How can scholars help others outside the academic community develop a Christian worldview? How does a Christian worldview relate to the global mission of the Church? How has dualism affected our ability to develop and live a full-orbed Christian worldview? What is the relationship between a Christian worldview and personal spiritual formation? How does/should a worldview shape a Christian's teaching?

What is the proper attitude of Christian academicians toward evangelism, particularly of students and faculty on their campus? In what ways do evangelistic efforts help or hinder a professor's academic credibility and should this matter? What are effective means of evangelism available to a Christian academician? Are most Christian academics engaged in evangelism?

How should a Christian worldview relate to and influence particular disciplines? What scholars in particular fields have developed a robust Christian worldview in that discipline? How does a Christian worldview relate to specific social, economic, political and environmental issues in our world today? What are ways in which the local church can more faithfully and rigorously apply a Christian worldview to its own life and to social and cultural issues? We are interested in this discussion as it relates to all disciplines--the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, law, education, business and the arts.

To submit an abstract, please email the following items to iics@iics.com:

1. A 300-word abstract of your paper describing the content and relationship to the theme of the conference. Please indicate which of the 4 categories listed above your submission falls under.

2. Your curriculum vita, including complete contact information.

Submissions must be sent by email and acknowledgement will be made by email. Accepted presenters will be notified by email after May 24, 2010. The actual conference paper presentations will be 30 minutes followed by ten minutes for discussion. If accepted for presentation, presenters must submit an electronic copy of their full paper to IICS by July 14, 2010.

Presenters will be responsible for their travel, lodging and registration expenses. Thank you for your participation. Contact Katie Eicholtz, Conference Administrator, with questions. Phone: 1-800-776-4427 or email IICS.