CALL. 10.02.2017: Power of the Word International Conference V. The Prophetic Word: Poetry, Philosop
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The fifth Power of the Word international conference, to be held at Oxford in September 2017, focuses on the prophetic genius of literature, particularly of poetry. ‘Prophetic genius’ is understood here to be that relentless impulse of literature to challenge the world from which it has arisen and, looking beyond, to propose alternative visions, practicable or utopian, of individual and collective fulfilment. In some authors – Dante, Milton and Blake are three obvious examples – the prophetic word is overtly religious, in others – Virgil, Shelley and Yeats, say – it is not. Often the distinction becomes blurred, as in the poems of H.D., Denise Levertov and Allen Ginsberg. The conference will explore this theme in conversation with theology, philosophy, the three main Abrahamic religions and Greek and Latin literature and learning, and address some universal questions. For example, what do these various traditions and their understanding of the prophetic have in common? Are they mostly different or even in conflict? How do their audiences discern true from false prophets? How do they know when ‘good spirits not evil ones choose poets for their instruments’ (Czesław Miłosz)? Can poets really claim to have a prophetic authority comparable to that attributed in Scripture to the prophets? How persuasive is Seamus Heaney’s sense of the ‘redress of poetry’, of its power to stimulate alternative ways of being in the world?
FECHA LÍMITE/DEADLINE/SCADENZA: 10/02/2017
FECHA CONGRESO/CONGRESS DATE/DATA CONGRESSO: 13-14-15-16/09/2017
LUGAR/LOCATION/LUOGO: Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford (Oxford, England)
ORGANIZADOR/ORGANIZER/ORGANIZZATORE: Dr Francesca Bugliani Knox; Dr Jamie Callison; Professor Paul Fiddes; Dr Michael Kirwan; David Lonsdale; Professor John Took
INFO: web - poweroftheword@heythrop.ac.uk - d.lonsdale@heythrop.ac.uk
CALL:
The Power of the Word 2017 invites contributions from established scholars and research students in the fields of literary studies, biblical studies, theology and philosophy. Theoretical reflections as well as discussions of individual texts and authors from different countries and traditions are welcome. If you wish to give a paper (20 minutes), please send a title and abstract of no more than 250 words, together with a brief curriculum vitae to the executive team at poweroftheword@heythrop.ac.uk by 10 February 2017. Please include your name on files containing your abstract and CV for ease of reference.
Within the theme, broadly defined as above, topics that may be addressed include:
Prophetic voices in the ancient world (Tiresias; Cassandra; the Sibyls)
Prophecy as poetry and poetry as prophecy in the Abrahamic religions
The theology of prophecy in the Abrahamic religions
Prophecy, providence and eschatology
The poet as prophet, the poet as seer
The theologian as prophet
The philosopher as prophet
True and false prophecy, and issues of discernment