Events Archive

Digital technology is having a transformative impact on society. From smartphones and conference calls to large language models and machine learning algorithms, these technologies are changing the way we interact, the way we behave, and even the way we think.

In this one-day conference we explore what these shifts mean for theologies and religions that identify with a tradition of dissent. We are interested in questions such as:

• What do these new digital technologies mean for how dissenting churches and communities gather, worship, and live out their faith? Does it matter, for example, if sermons are written by ChatGPT?
• How might theologians from dissenting traditions respond to the digital age? How are these technologies altering our theological anthropologies—our very understanding of what it means to be human?
• And what does it mean to continue a commitment to dissent in today’s digital sphere? How are social activists, church leaders, and campaigners using digital technology to oppose prevailing norms in contemporary society?

This event brings together an interdisciplinary range of thinkers and practitioners, including experts in digital theology, church and community leaders, and committed activists.

A book launch and panel discussion hosted by the Centre for Baptist Studies, in the Collier Room, Regent’s Park College, looking at the place of the dissenting traditions in relation to the subject of the far right and Christianity.

With editors Helen Payner and Maria Power, and respondents Paul Weller and Paul Fiddes.

Main Presentation:

Response one (Paul Weller):

Response two (Paul Fiddes):

‘Gathering of Gatherings: Where the Local and the Catholic Meet’ with Derek C. Hatch

Dr. Derek Hatch is Professor of Religion and Endowed Chair of Baptist Studies at Georgetown College in Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from East Texas Baptist University, a Master of Divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in theology from the University of Dayton. He has written numerous articles and authored or co-edited three books, including Thinking with the Church: Toward a Renewal of Baptist Theology (2017). He currently serves as a member of the Baptist World Alliance’s Commission on Baptist Doctrine and Christian Unity and was a delegate to the most recent international ecumenical dialogue commission between the Baptist World Alliance and the Roman Catholic Church.

A ‘podcast’ interview with Derek Hatch conducted by Andy Goodliff is available here.

With the Baptist Historical Society.

Baptists care about the Bible, believing it is of utmost importance that the Bible is read and interpreted—as a source of faith and guidance for the church. Baptists have produced a number of notable biblical scholars, especially in the twentieth century, whose work has been widely read and influential in the academy. Some were appointed professors in their field in Manchester, King’s College London, and in the US. This one-day conference will focus on how Baptists have contributed to biblical scholarship and how this has been, and is still today, received by the academy and the church.

With respondents Gale Richards, Tim Judson and Anthony Reddie

Dark Weeping and Light Sleeping: Whiteness as a Doctrine of De-formation

with Tim Judson at 3:45pm in The Collier Room

(A video of this event will be made available AFTER the lecture tour has completed later this year).

With respondents Lisa Kerry and Anthony Clarke

Event page was here.

Guest Lecture: Professor Tim Whelan: The Lispings of a Babe? Anne Dutton’s Publishing History and Literary Legacy — 10th June 2023, 10am-1pm

Guest Lecture:
27 May 2021 Professor William H Brackney: ‘Perticular or Particular? In search of when English Calvinistic Baptists became Particular’. Available to watch here: Perticular or Particular? A Lecture by William H. Brackney (youtube.com)

What3Words: orienting words around creation care — Dave Gregory, former President, Baptist Union — 19th June 202

Bringing the World of the Child into the Life of the Church. Clare Hooper — 13 Feb 2023

Rev Dr Martin Hobgen:

Creating Sanctuary: Churches as Safer Communities for LGBT+ People, Revd Dr Myra Blyth — 21 Feb 2022

25th October 2021

Climate Change and COP26: identifying a Christian response
Speakers: Jack Wakefield and María Alejandra Andrade (Tearfund) — 2021

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Do you know the connection between William Blake and Regent’s Park College? Join us to find out this and much more, with our excellent line up of speakers: Prof Paul Fiddes, Dr Susanne Sklar and Dr Nicholas Shrimpton. The conference includes discussion of a rarely seen drawing of Baptist minister James Upton from a private collection.

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Dan Pratt, John Weaver, Marion Carson and Kevin Hyland:

Communion, Covenant and Creativity: An Approach to the Communion of Saints through the Arts – A Baptist Perspective

An online day conference marking the publication of the book (with the same title as the conference), by Paul Fiddes, Brian Haymes and Richard Kidd. If you missed the conference and would like to access the recordings, please contact Dr Christine Joynes for details.

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Ethical Challenges of Covid-19 – 18 May 2020

Event link

A day conference to mark the centenary of Violet Hedger’s ordination.

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Event Link

Photo courtesy of Roger Nasciemento