CfP: From Table to Text or Text to Table?
University of Pretoria, 18-19 September 2025
Traditionally, Reformed traditions focus on the text. The mastery of ancient languages is pivotal, as a high priority is placed on the ability to discern the source texts in their original languages. But the question looms whether this is truly practised? Ministers often report not using the source texts in sermons. Some church fathers also had trouble understanding the source languages, for example, Augustine, whose proficiency in Greek was not good, needless to mention his Hebrew abilities. It seems that traditions that do not place a high value on the text, such as Pentecostal traditions, thrive, and are expanding while reformed traditions are in decline.
Is this linked to our understanding of the table or neglect of the table? The experience of community is central in the shaping of Christian identity. Rituals invite participation and foster culture. We know rituals are the social glue, the carriers of cultural memory and seminal in the embodiment of practises. The table is an anchor and point of orientation in broader cultural and religious contexts.
Accordingly, this conference aims to explore the intersection between the text and the table. We would like to explore approaches from the text and approaches from the table. What does it mean to preach from the text? Are we perhaps preaching the text without the table? Or do we need to start from the table towards the text? It is the aim of the conference to ponder the strengths of the text and table and to foster conversation on our approaches to sermons in the Reformed tradition. We envision a conference where people with different disciplinary approaches can sit, or stand around tables to connect, conduct and concoct a rich fare of insights.
We invite papers in English, Afrikaans, Dutch, German or French; some of the themes that could be addressed include:
• The role of the text in sermons
• The role of ritual in sermons
• The relationship between the sermon, the text and the liturgy
• A critical investigation of the influence of digital on the use of text and preaching
• Sacraments and sermons
Please be so kind as to consider sending a title with an abstract of your paper of between 200 & 250 words to reach us Dr Annette Potgieter (annette.potgieter@up.ac.za) and Dr Dieter de Bruin (dieter.debruin@up.ac.za) no later than the 1st of August 2025.
The conference will take place at the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria from the 18th to the 19th of September. The conference will be in person. We will let you know by the 5th of August whether your abstract has been accepted. The conference fee will be R800. Light refreshments will be provided, but participants will provide their own lunch. The conference dinner will be held on Thursday evening, the 18th of September, the price of which will be included in the conference fee. We foresee a publication resulting from our time together.
