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CSC Family of Scholars

The Thomas H. Olbricht Christian Scholars' Conference is an interdisciplinary conference in which faith is on the table, making it unique among academic conferences. The 2024 conference will return to the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center in Houston June 5-7, 2024. 

The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center will host the 2024 conference in partnership with Lipscomb University. Academic scholars from across the country and around the world will gather to explore the theme, Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations.

Call For Papers

2024 Theme

Academic scholars from across the country and around the world will gather to explore the theme, Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations.

Building on this theme and emphasizing the interdisciplinary possibilities of the conference, the 2024 CSC will provide research and resources for facing contemporary challenges, but with special emphasis on the central place that collaboration holds in our efforts to meet those challenges. A call for papers as well as keynote speaker and registration information will be shared soon.

2023 Featured Speakers

Featured speakers for the 2024 conference will be announced soon. Below are featured speakers from this year's conference.

Willie Jennings

Willie Jennings

Theologian, Author, Minister

Yale Divinity School

N.T. Wright

N.T. Wright

Scholar, Author, Professor

Oxford University

Mark Lanier

Mark Lanier

Attorney, Author, Teacher

Champion Forest Baptist Church

James K. A. Smith

James K. A. Smith

Philospher, Author, Professor

Calvin University

Dirckx

Sharon Dirckx

Neuroscientist, Author

View All Speakers

Call for Papers

The CSC invites submissions of papers and posters to be presented at the 2024 annual meeting. We seek proposals for more than 25 sections across the disciplines.

Submit a Paper

Speakers

Interact and engage with leading thinkers, from Pulitzer-Prize winners to U.S. Poet Laureates, in addressing multi-disciplinary issues at the forefront of scholarly dialog.

Learn More

Sessions

Peer-reviewed and generative sessions cover a wide range of academic disciplines.

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Schedule

Between 85 and 100 interactive paper, panel, poster, round table, and town hall sessions scheduled in six 90-minute time slots and framed by five plenary events.

Learn More

“One of the most significant

and transformational annual events

among Christian colleges and universities.”

William Lofton Turner, Lipscomb University

“Christian Scholars’ Conference — a rather sedate title for an event

that features a live radio show, concerts, movie screenings, and talks

by a variety of distinguished international guests.”

Nashville Scene

“The CSC is one of the key places

where I’ve seen scholarly collaboration

between the disciplines.”

Alan Bradshaw, Lipscomb University

“People will see that the idea of being a serious intellectual and being a serious person of faith

not only are not in conflict with each other but also they complement and advance each other.

They allow us to ask the really hard questions and give us a framework for understanding the world.”

Tim Perrin, Pepperdine University

“The Christian Scholars' Conference brought together in one place a variety of comforts

that tend to be unique to such disparate venues as

corporate retreats, academic societies, and family reunions.”

Chapter 16

“It's a stereotype: Southerners are good at hospitality in part because we are

so good at glossing over the truth. ... This year's Christian Scholars' Conference made great strides

in adding truth-telling to a long tradition of Southern hospitality.”

Chapter 16

“I often tell people that the key to maintaining my sanity as a university administrator is to teach one

class each semester and attend the CSC. These two things keep me grounded in teaching and

scholarship and serve as a constant reminder of why I work at a university.”

Scott Billingsley, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

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CSC News
Mark Your Calendar
Mark your calendar for the 2024 Thomas H. Olbricht Christian Scholars Conference June 5-7, 2024 Hosted by the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center Houston, Texas In partnership with Lipscomb University The Thomas H. Olbricht Christian Schol...
CSC News
CSC Reflections and Pictures
The 42nd annual CSC is now in the books. The gorgeous Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center was matched by the warm and kind hospitality of the staff and some 40 volunteers from Champion Forest Baptist Church. There they all were, smiling an...
CSC News
CSC Registration Now Closed
We have now reached capacity and must close registration for the 2023 CSC. Given that we are one month from “opening day,” I’m pained to close registration so early. However, given our exceptionally attractive location, the stunning lineup of i...
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2024 information coming soon!

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James Cone with conferee at the CSC in 2017

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Pulitzer Prize winner Marilynne Robinson delivering the CSC plenary address

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Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), delivering the CSC plenary address.

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US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith delivering the CSC plenary address

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David Brooks engaging conferees during breakfast at the CSC

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