Call for Papers

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

The following sections are formed to create peer review, generative, panel (working group), poster and performance sessions within their respective disciplines. Section leaders and their committees typically represent a diversity of institutions and are responsible for two to three sessions each year.

CSC Section Committees

The following sections are formed to create peer review, generative, panel (working group), poster and performance sessions within their respective disciplines. Section chairs (designated by an email address) and their committees typically represent a diversity of institutions and are responsible for two to three sessions each year. The sections listed below are accepting submissions for the conference this year.

American Religion

Kathy Pulley, Missouri State University, Emeritus, Chair, kathypulley@missouristate.edu
Scott Billingsley, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Douglas A. Foster, Abilene Christian University, Emeritus
James Gorman, Johnson University
Richard T. Hughes, Lipscomb University
Corey Markum, Freed-Hardeman University

The American Religion Section of the Christian Scholars' Conference is soliciting papers for the June 5-7 meeting in Houston, TX. Special consideration will be given to the following themes:

In conjunction with the conference theme, "Hope: Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities, and Collaborations," we seek proposals that address the restoration movement’s churches. Do past challenges speak to hopeful opportunities for the future?
apocalyptic movements, utopian communities, or religious visions of hope.
Proposals related to societal issues that highlight religious views of human life, violence, and abuse.
Proposals related to relationships between gender and religion in the United States including but not limited to changing views on gender roles in religious communities, efforts related to gender justice, how gender and religion have interacted historically.

Proposals need not be limited to historical methodologies. We also have an open call for papers not fitting under the previous themes. Especially encouraged are paper proposals related to the Stone-Campbell Movement.

Proposals should include an abstract of approximately 500 words. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2023. Presentations should be approximately 15 minutes in length and will receive a formal response. All program participants must be registered for the conference. Please send proposals through the conference website at https://christianscholarsconference.org/submit-call-for-papers/. Questions may be directed to Scott Billingsley (American Religions section member) at scott.billingsley@uncp.edu. Participants will be notified by mid-February, 2024 of the status of their submission. For information about the CSC, please go to https://christianscholarsconference.org/.

The Arts and Spirituality

Business and Economics

Andy Borchers, Lipscomb University, Chair, andy.borchers@lipscomb.edu
Rob Touchstone, Lipscomb University
Allen W. Frazier, Harding University
Orneita Burton, Abilene Christian University
Russell Dabbs, Lubbock Christian University
N. Lamar Reinsch, Georgetown University, Emeritus

This is a call for papers, panels, and posters for the Business and Economics section of the 2024 Christian Scholars Conference, to be held at the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center in Houston, June 5-7, 2024. The theme for the 2024 Christian Scholars Conference is “Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations." We will have traditional 90-minute paper and panel sessions along with posters. We also invite Pecha Kucha submissions. (A Pecha Kucha is a 6 min 40 sec presentation by a presenter who has 20 images automatically advancing at 20 second intervals behind them.)

Topics

We invite business & economics faculty and doctoral students to submit papers in any related field, including basic discovery, teaching and application work. We especially encourage submissions related to the conference theme, “Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations.'' This theme clearly speaks to interdisciplinary scholarship between business, economics, faith and other disciplines.

Possible topics may include, but are not limited to:

Liveable world - environmental sustainability and earth care
Leadership
- Women in leadership
- Spirituality and leadership--including servant leadership
- Leading social enterprises
- Next generation leadership/Leadership development
- Business skills for church leaders

Business Ethics/Ethical perspectives and reasoning/Virtue ethics for business and economics
Social responsibility of business
Business, Christianity, and culture
Economic development
Purposeful Business and Business as Mission (BAM)
Information systems/AI/Big data

We also seek submissions on the topic Teaching 2024: Content, Method, and Innovation

What new issues are appearing in your courses? The gig economy? Lean start-ups? Multi-communication? Stewardship? Trade wars?
What new methods are you using or refining? Hybrid teaching? TED talks? Web-sites? Flipped classrooms? Student texting? Team projects?
From what sources are you deriving ideas? Classical rhetoric? The visual arts? How are you innovating?

Business faculty face challenges in teaching at a Christian college. We can better meet those challenges if we exchange ideas and information. These sessions will allow you to share your perspectives, learn from your colleagues, and enrich your classroom.

For all proposals, please e-mail abstracts (maximum 300 words) by February 28, 2024 to Andy Borchers at Lipscomb University (andy.borchers@lipscomb.edu). All abstracts will undergo blind review. Notification of acceptance will be given by March 15.

Church and Academy

Civil Rights

Wes Crawford, Abilene Christian University, Chair, twc99a@acu.edu
Tanya Smith Brice, Council on Social Work Education
Joel Anderson, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Chancellor Emeritus
Raymond Carr, Harvard University
Joi Carr, Pepperdine University
Claire Davidson Frederick, Lipscomb University
William Lofton Turner, Lipscomb University

Certainly, the story of civil rights within United States history belongs in the genre of tragedy. The legacies of the Middle Passage, chattel slavery, Jim Crow segregation, the Ku Klux Klan, lynching, racially-motivated assassinations, George Floyd, and mass incarceration cast long shadows upon the landscape of a nation so tied to the principles of freedom and liberty for all. Countless chapters of this tragic tale have already been told, and many more demand a hearing. Nevertheless, in keeping with the theme of this year’s Christian Scholars' Conference, we seek papers and panels that address stories of hope within this tragedy. Where are the stories of “Hope Amidst Crises” (past and present) in the realm of civil rights? Are there accounts of unsung heroes or untold events that might provide courage for civil rights activists today? All papers centering on the topic of civil rights will be considered, but special preference will be given to those studies and sessions that address stories of hope related to the struggle for civil rights. Please send your proposals to civilrightschristianscholars@gmail.com no later than January 21, 2024. You will be notified by the committee no later than February 15, 2024.

Congregational Science

Chris Gonzalez, Lipscomb University, Co-Chair, chris.gonzalez@lipscomb.edu
Marsha Vaughn, Adler University, Co-Chair, mvaughn@adler.edu

The purpose of the Congregational Science section is to provide a scholarly forum to explore congregational processes through theoretical imagination and empirical inquiry. With an aim toward the
topic of “Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations.” the Congregational Science Section calls for proposals on the topic of “Hope Amidst Crises in Congregations.”

Proposals for papers may be theoretical, empirical, or practical works using the theories, tools, and practices of social science. Theoretical imagination includes the use of theories of social science (e.g. family science, psychology, sociology etc.) to better understand congregational process. Empirical inquiry includes the use of the quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of social science to learn congregational processes. Practices include reports of implementation. This section invites papers by social scientists, church thinkersl and church practitioners examining congregations with the intended audience being ministers in congregations, congregational leaders, theologians, and social scientists with an interest in religious congregations.

Send proposals (250-500 words) to section co-chairs Chris Gonzalez (chris.gonzalez@lipscomb.edu) and Marsha Vaughn (mvaughn@adler.edu).

Early Career Scholars in Theological Disciplines

Film Studies

Hermeneutics of Unity in and after Scripture

The Hermeneutics of Unity in and after Scripture

David Stark, Faulkner University, dstark@faulkner.edu
Daniel Oden, Harding University, doden@harding.edu

2024: Genesis 11:10–25:11

Website Section Abstract

The Hermeneutics of Unity in and after Scripture section explores the hermeneutics of unity involved in the reception of earlier texts by later ones within the biblical corpus, as well as by other authors and communities in Second Temple Judaism, early and medieval Christianity, and more contemporary periods. Across this literature, focused attention is given to the nature of the hermeneutic employed to foster and protect continued unity within each respective interpreting community.

The section conceives of "hermeneutics" in a general sense that includes specific exegetical techniques but also directs attention to the presuppositions or worldviews that direct the applications of these techniques. Because "unity" has various conflicting definitions, the section welcomes explorations of these various kinds of unity, their promises, and their problems. The section further welcomes explorations of the hermeneutics of unity, whether that unity moves toward positive ends (e.g., orthodoxy, orthopraxy) or negative ones (e.g., slavery, segregation, anti-Semitism).

Additional Section Details This year's papers treat the reception of Gen 11:10–25:11. Having addressed Gen 16 in 2023, this year's sessions will particularly focus on Gen 12–15, 17–19, and 22.

The conveners are working to publish a volume of essays collected from this year's sessions and those from 2024, as well as a volume from previous years' sessions on Gen 1:1–11:9. So, the paper drafts delivered at the conference should be of (nearly) publishable quality. Final essays will likely be of 7500 words (+/- 10%). In addition, although the section is addressing issues that have long been central to the Stone-Campbell tradition, participants should address their essays to a more general audience.

Each session consists of three 15-minute paper readings or summaries and one 15-minute response. Thereafter, discussion is invited among the panel and, time permitting, other session attendees.

The conveners will both invite participants and welcome unsolicited proposals by email (david@jdavidstark.com, doden@harding.edu). Unsolicited proposals submitted by email should include a title and 85–100-word abstract.

Click [here] for a description of this section.

Practical Theology

Gary S. Selby, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College, Chair, GSSelby@milligan.edu

Practical Theology Section Call for Papers

The Practical Theology section invites submissions of individual scholarly papers and abstracts as well as proposals for Generative Sessions, on topics and questions related to intersections of theology, ministry, and Christian practice and experience. Session proposals can be for traditional papers, roundtables, or book review panels. Previous topics have included worship, liturgy, and the arts; spiritual formation; missiology; ecclesiology; pedagogy; pastoral care; church leadership; and faith and trauma. Papers and proposals that address the conference theme are particularly encouraged, as well as session proposals that include diverse voices and interdisciplinary representation.

In order to receive full consideration, papers and proposals should be submitted by December 1, 2023.

Papers and proposals undergo a peer review process and are accepted based on appropriateness to the conference theme and purpose, as well as on the availability of space in the overall conference program.

Click [here] for information on this section's purpose.

Sciences

John Lewis, Lipscomb University, Chair, john.lewis@lipscomb.edu
Helen Holmlund, Pepperdine University
Amanda Nichols, Oklahoma Christian University

Call for Abstracts: Use of AI in the STEM Disciplines

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way we do science. From new drug discovery methods to improved climate models, AI is enabling scientists to make breakthroughs that were once unimaginable. This conference session will explore the latest advances in the use of AI in the sciences. We invite submissions of abstracts on a wide range of topics, including:

AI for data analysis and discovery: AI algorithms can be used to analyze large and complex datasets to identify patterns and trends that would be difficult or impossible to find manually. This is leading to new insights in a wide range of scientific fields, from physics and biology to chemistry and materials science.
AI for modeling and simulation: AI can be used to create accurate and realistic models of complex systems, such as the climate, the human brain, and new materials. These models can be used to predict how systems will behave under different conditions, and to design new experiments and technologies.
AI for automation: AI can be used to automate many routine tasks in the lab, from data collection and analysis to experiment design and execution. This frees up scientists to focus on more creative and strategic work.
AI for collaboration: AI can help scientists to collaborate more effectively with each other and with other stakeholders.

We are particularly interested in submissions that describe the use of AI to solve real-world problems in the sciences. We encourage submissions from researchers at all levels of experience, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty.

Abstracts should be 250 - 300 words and should clearly state the research question, methodology, and expected results.

Selection Criteria

Abstracts will be selected based on the following criteria:

Relevance to the conference theme, “Hope Amidst Crises: Challenges, Opportunities, and Collaborations."
Originality and significance of the research
Clarity and completeness of the abstract

Abstract deadline:January 21st

Submit abstracts to: john.lewis@lipscomb.edu

Accepted abstracts will be presented at the conference in oral format. Presentations of 10 – 12 minutes in length on current or recently completed work will be followed by 3 – 5 minutes for questions. We look forward to receiving your abstracts and to a stimulating discussion of the latest advances in the use of AI in the sciences.

*Portions of this call for papers was generated using Google’s AI, Bard.

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Call for Abstracts: AI & Pedagogy: Use of AI in our Classrooms

AI is changing our world, and the use of AI language models presents both challenges and opportunities for higher education. While there are some pitfalls, AI has potential to transform teaching for the better. We seek 10-12 minute presentations showing specific examples or ideas of how AI can be used to improve pedagogy in the classroom. Abstracts from a variety of disciplines are welcome.

Abstract deadline:January 21st

Submit abstracts to: john.lewis@lipscomb.edu

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Call for Abstracts: The STEM Sciences

The Sciences section committee welcomes abstract submissions for oral presentations from scientists working in the natural sciences and mathematics. Presentations can focus on primary scientific/mathematical research or on interdisciplinary science/math research projects. Presentations of 10 – 12 minutes in length on current or recently completed work will be followed by 3 – 5 minutes for questions. Because this section encompasses several scientific disciplines, make sure you use language that will be intelligible to non-scientists and scientists outside of your specific discipline.

Abstract deadline:January 21st

Submit abstracts to: john.lewis@lipscomb.edu

Theology and Philosophy

Theology & Philosophy

David Mahfood, Johnson University, Chair, dmahfood@johnsonu.edu
Derek Estes, Pepperdine University
J. Caleb Clanton, Samford University
Brad East, Abilene Christian University

Philosophy Section

The philosophy section of the CSC invites proposals for individual papers or for themed panels for the 2024 Christian Scholars’ Conference: Hope Amidst Crises. Papers or panels on any topic in philosophy are welcome, but special consideration will be given to topics within philosophy of religion or on philosophical topics related to the Stone-Campbell Movement.

Submission guidelines: Interested applicants should submit (i) a 500-word abstract and presentation title (the name of your file should be the title of your presentation) and (ii) a cover letter including your name, institutional affiliation, position at your institution, email address, and the title of your paper.

For a pre-arranged panel, please submit (i) a 500-word abstract with a title for the session (the name of your file should be the title of your session); (ii) a 500-word abstract for each paper in the session along with the title; and (iii) a cover letter including the name, institutional affiliation, position at the institution, and email address of each presenter.

These should be emailed to derek.estes@pepperdine.edu. To be eligible for consideration, abstracts should be .doc or .pdf format and should be prepared for blind review by removing any personally identifying information. Accepted presenters will be given at least 15-20 minutes to present their papers to be followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. The submission deadline is January 21, 2024 (11:59 pm EST).

Authors of accepted papers or panels will be notified by February 21, 2024. Any relevant questions should be directed to Derek Estes at derek.estes@pepperdine.edu.

Theology Section

The theology section of the CSC invites proposals for papers and/or themed panels for the 2024 Christian Scholars’ Conference: Hope Amidst Crises. Papers or panels on any topic in theology are welcome, but special consideration will be given to theological topics related to the Stone-Campbell Movement and/or to the conference theme (broadly construed).

Submission guidelines: Interested applicants should submit (i) a 500-word abstract and presentation title (the name of your file should be the title of your presentation) and (ii) a cover letter including your name, institutional affiliation, position at your institution, email address, and the title of your paper.

These should be emailed to dmahfood@johnsonu.edu. To be eligible for consideration, abstracts should be .doc or .pdf format and should be prepared for blind review by removing any personally identifying information. Accepted presenters will be given at least 15-20 minutes to present their papers to be followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. The submission deadline is January 21, 2024 (11:59 pm EST).

Authors of accepted papers will be notified by February 21, 2024. Any relevant questions should be directed to David Mahfood at dmahfood@johnsonu.edu.

Click [here] for information on this section's purpose.