Two Spring 2016 Conferences

Cletus Hull presents papers at EGLBS 2016 and the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference.

Recently, I presented papers at two different conferences.

On March 10, 11, 2016, I attended the EGLBS 2016 (Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society) at Mohican State Park & Conference Center in Loudonville, Ohio. My paper “The Purpose of Suffering and Glory in the Pauline Eschatology of Christ’s Parousia in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10” entered under the category of Pauline Eschatology. About my paper:

The purpose of this exegetical study of 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 juxtaposes the biblical concepts of suffering and glory within the eschatological theology of Paul’s Thessalonian correspondence. Recognizing the historical and biblical background of the text creates a foundation for exposing the Pauline eschatology of suffering and glory. The outcome of the paper reveals the kingdom understanding that suffering must precede God’s glory in the life of his people.

A pleasant surprise at this conference was meeting a colleague in the ministry I had not seen in many years. He had attended my ordination into the Christian ministry 27 years ago.

On April 1, 2, 2016, I attended the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference, held at Johnson University in Knoxville Tennessee. I presented two papers. The first paper was, “The Eschatology of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran.” About my paper:

The proposal for this paper reveals the evident eschatology within the Dead Sea Scroll (DSS) documents, specifically the apocalyptic genre. The Qumran community of the Second Temple Period (2TP) existed as an eschatological commune, asserting the key themes of judgment and salvation in their eschatology. Specific attention in the research uncovers the meaning of numbers, the notion of messiah, the Teacher of Righteousness, and later apocalypses’ awareness of this eschatological motif. The overall narrative of the DSS eschatology strengthens the meaning of Qumran’s metahistory. For this reason, the 2TP opens the path for the reception of the forthcoming eschatology of Jesus the Nazarene.

My second paper, under the category of Patristics was “The Christology and Pneumatology of the Cappadocian Fathers.” About my paper:

The Cappadocian fathers are known for their collective wisdom on the theology of the Trinity. As the debate with the Arians in the Trinitarian controversy developed, their talents in rhetoric and philosophy assisted in the creation of Christianity’s orthodox beliefs. This paper assessed their ideas on the Trinity seeking to reveal the two theological trajectories of christology and pneumatology. My thesis claimed that the underlying christology and pneumatology of the Cappadocian fathers are the linchpins cementing the doctrine of the Trinity in Christendom. The division of the paper involves six sections. First, a brief background of each father provides the setting for their concepts. Second, a discussion on the taxis of the Trinity offers a foundation for their christology and pneumatology. Third, an understanding of the Cappadocian fathers view of the Holy Trinity undergirds their arguments. Fourth, the importance of the Cappadocian christology is demonstrated in their writings. Fifth, an appraisal of their pneumatology will pay particular attention to the father’s view of the Holy Spirit. Sixth, concluding thoughts on the Cappadocian fathers christology and pneumatology in future renewal studies will be advanced. As I am an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a lively discussion with fellow students from the Stone-Campbell traditions on the Trinity and Alexander Campbell ensued after the presentation. The Stone-Campbell movement had issues utilizing the word “Trinity” as their motto remained, “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the bible is silent, we are silent.” The main theme for the conference was “How the Civil War Effected the Stone-Campbell Churches.”

Rev. Dr. Cletus Luther Hull, III D.Min.