Perspectives on Christian Philosophy in Russia: An International Seminar

Moscow Theological Seminary of Evangelical Christians – Baptists
The Association for Spiritual Renewal
The University of Texas at Austin
The Nizhniy Novgorod Association for the Study of Religion

Perspectives on Christian Philosophy in Russia:
An International Seminar
Moscow, May 31, 2010
There is a rich and ancient tradition of Christian philosophy in Russia. Interrupted by 70 years of Communist rule, it is only just starting to be reborn. It is clear that in our present spiritual situation some traditions will need to be creatively reinterpreted. What are even more needed are new ideas, approaches, and concepts. The latter can be found only in dialogue between different traditions and cultures. Openness to others’ experience and valuing diversity are critically important for the maturation of the post-Soviet Christian intelligentsia.
Representatives of various Christian traditions and schools of philosophy will come together in an international seminar to discuss the future of Christian philosophy in Russia. They will pay special attention to the problem of the relationship between Christianity and other worldviews.
The seminar’s presentations and discussion will be dedicated to a comparative analysis of Christian philosophical thought in the West and in Russia; thinking through the particularities of the post-Soviet worldview and its relationship to Christianity; opportunities for a philosophical defense of the Christian faith in postmodern culture; and the topic of Christian intelligentsia and its educational mission.
We invite teachers and students of Christian educational institutions, religious scholars, philosophers, theologians and journalists to participate in the seminar. The seminar materials will be printed separately. Please send the texts of your presentations to Igor Malin (igor.i.malin@gmail.com).
Please, contact Dr. Michael Cherenkov regarding participation: chmn@asr.ru


Schedule


10:00 Opening:
Greetings from Peter Mitskevich, President of Moscow Theological Seminary
Introduction of participants by Michael Cherenkov

10:15-11:15 Presentation by Robert Koons:
Christian Philosophy in the USA: Self-Analysis and Prospects of Dialogue with Secular Society
11:15-11:35 Presentation by Michael Cherenkov:
Christian Philosophy and Evangelical Churches in Russia
11:35-12:00 Presentation by Igor Malin:
Existential Tradition: From a Philosophy of Praxis to Active Ministry
12:00-12:30 Presentation by Sergey Mezentsev:
On the Synthesis of Theology, Philosophy, and Science
12:30-13:00 Presentation by Gennady Savin:
Secular and Religious Discourse: In Search of a Common Language

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-14:25 Presentation by Alexander Dubrovsky:
A Period of Uncivil Religiosity in the Post-Soviet Sphere: Theological Reasoning in a Protestant Context
14:25-14:50 Presentation by Evgenny Zaitsev:
On an Optimal Balance of Westernization and National Identity in Russia in the Context of Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue
14:50-15:10 Presentation by Mark Elliott:
Evangelical Churches and Society: Problems and Prospects for Dialogue
15:10-15:30 Presentation by Alexander Abrochnov:
Religious Philosophy Through the Prism of Modern Media
15:30-15:50 Presentation by Victor Lyakhu
15:50-17:00 Presentations by Participants:
Igor Alenin, Andrei Suzdaltsev, Dmitry Doronin (Wisdom and Revelation: Problems in Christian Epistemology), Alexei Tokarev, Sergey Popov, Gennady Likhikh

17:00-17:30 Conclusion of Seminar: Summing up

Perspectives on Christian Philosophy in Russia
May 31, 2010
Moscow, Russia

Seminar Participants

1. Andrei Suzdaltsev – Poet; Radio host; regular author of articles in Christian publications such as Decision, Christian, Protestant, etc. (a_tavrov@mtu-net.ru)
2. Sergey Mezentsev – PhD, Pastor of an Evangelical Christians church (perevolochnoe@mail.ru).
3. Alexander Dubrovsky – PhD, Lecturer, Department of Journalism, Institute of Parliamentarism and Entrepreneurship, Minsk, Belarus (dubrovski@list.ru)
4. Igor Alenin – PhD, Dean, Russian-American Institute (igalenator@gmail.com)
5. Robert Koons – PhD, Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin (robkoons@yahoo.com)
6. Gennady Savin – PhD, Director, Master’s Program, Moscow Theological Seminary (savin@mbs.ru)
7. Mark Elliott – PhD, Editor, East-West Church and Ministry Report (emark936@gmail.com)
8. Igor Malin – PhD, Religious Scholar; Executive Director, Nizhniy Novgorod Association for the Study of Religion (igor.i.malin@gmail.com)
9. Evgenny Zaitsev – PhD, President, Zaoksky Christian Institute of Humanities and Economics (zaitsev@zau.ru)
10. Alexei Tokarev – PhD, Nizhniy Novgorod Association for the Study of Religion; Professor, Evangelical Christian Seminary, Moscow (altok77@mail.ru)
11. Alexander Abrochnov – Journalist; PhD (Russian Education Academy University); Academic Secretary, Nizhniy Novgorod Association for the Study of Religion (abrochnov@rambler.ru)
12. Dmitry Doronin – PhD, Religious scholar; Ethnographer; Nizhniy Novgorod Association for the Study of Religion (demetra2@mail.ru)
13. Sergey Popov – Pastor; Vice President, Russian Bible Society (sergeiopen@gmail.com)
14. Gennady Likhikh – Pastor; Chairman, Board of Directors, Apologet Biblical Academic Center (lichich@rambler.ru)
15. Michael Cherenkov – PhD, Vice President, Association for Spiritual Renewal (chmn@asr.ru)
16. Victor Lyakhu – PhD, M.Th.; Liturgist, Professor, Zaoksky Spiritual Academy (leahu@mail.ru)