Symposium

Theme: Hope in Suffering

As in previous years, Gordon College Symposium 2018 will see students, faculty and staff engage each other in discussions on Symposium day. Students may present academic papers, creative texts or offer roundtable discussions, debates, interviews, music, drama and art displays.

The crucifixion is the central reason why Christians are able to have hope in suffering. In his recent book, The Day the Revolution Began, N.T. Wright expounds, "When Jesus of Nazareth died the horrible death of crucifixion at the hands of the Roman army, nobody thought him a hero. His movement was over. Nothing had changed [...] Death, as usual, had the last word. Except that in this case it didn't." 

Symposium 2018 offers a chance to delve into the "living hope" that we claim "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). Meanwhile, we find ourselves surrounded by the brokenness of our earthly home. Tragedies, scarcity, injustice and pain are the reality of daily life—as are rebirth, creativity, innovation and eternal salvation. Politics, the arts, social movements, science and interpersonal relationships are equally touched by this dichotomy.

Symposium 2018 will consider the transforming power of hope in a creation marked by suffering, remembering that "hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts" (Romans 5:5).

Purpose

The purpose of Gordon College Symposium is to allow students, faculty and staff to engage in conversation about a major contemporary or perennial issue toward the goal of learning from one another. The events of Symposium day will include panel discussions, exhibits, debates, poetry readings, presentations, performances and outside festivities at various campus locations.