Metodismo brasileiro na contramão do metodismo mundial

Mais um exemplo de como o metodismo brasileiro está na contramão do metodismo mundial e das igrejas de tradição wesleyana em outras partes do mundo. Veja abaixo o convite da Wesleyan Philosophical Society.

"A Wesleyan Philosophical Society é formada por membros, em sua maioria, oriundos das Igrejas Metodista Wesleyana, Metodista Livre, Holiness, do Nazareno e outras Igrejas Metodistas que saí­ram das Igrejas que vieram formar a Igreja Metodista Unida. Tais igrejas que foram e ainda são parte do movimento de santidade, hoje estão se engajando no diálogo ecumênico com os católicos, ao contrário de nós metodistas brasileiros. É uma pena que estejamos nos apequenando." (Bispo Paulo Ayres Mattos)

Wesleyan Philosophical Society
Call for Papers
2007 Meeting

Location: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL (near Chicago)
Conference Date: March 1, 2007 Proposal Due Date: October 1st, 2006

Themes in Wesleyan and Catholic Thought

As we prepare to come together in March of 2007, we will be traveling to a place that has a long history of service in the Kingdom of God. The educational institution that is now known as Olivet Nazarene University sits on the same site as the former St. Viator’s College. This sacred ground that once served the Catholic community now serves as one of our centers of Wesleyan thought, ONU. You are called to write on topics that defines the relationship between these two centers of Christian thought.

John Wesley, in his “Letter to a Roman Catholick,” recognizes the importance of dialog between the divergent philosophical traditions. Knowing that divergence could result in mutual destruction, he attempts to distill the central themes bridging his thought and Catholic thinkers. He sought to articulate the shared convictions between Catholics and Protestants and yet offer room for diversity of thought. Key Catholic authors such as Thomas à Kempis were crucial for Wesley’s development of an effective practice of Christianity based in the “holy habits.” With this background, Wesleyans are called to do likewise.

With a program entitled “Themes in Wesleyan and Catholic Thought,” the Wesleyan Philosophical Society (WPS) under the direction of 1st Vice-President L. Bryan Williams issues a Call for Papers for its 2007 annual conference. The conference will be held on March 1st in Bourbonnais, IL (near Chicago). The society will meet in conjunction with the Society of the Study of Psychology and Wesleyan Theology (SSPWT). The WPS conference is immediately
followed that weekend by the meeting of the Wesleyan Theological Society (WTS).

Papers are invited across the spectrum of Wesleyan Catholic intersections including Philosophy of God, Moral Theology, Responses to Papal Encyclicals, Nature and Grace, Spirituality, Just War theory versus Pacifism, Christian Social Concern, Sexual Ethics, Historical Philosophical Intersections, Women in Ministry, metaphysics, aesthetics, mysticism, Natural Theology, Philosophical Anthropology, Personalism, or other areas of interest. The Society is
particularly interested in areas of connection between the two communities with recognition of outstanding differences. Specific references to John Wesley are not required. Submissions on any philosophical topic are always welcome; however, preference will be offered to those papers that explore the proposed theme.

The Society is also interested in any proposed dialogues between Wesleyan and Catholic scholars. Invitations by WPS members to scholars of the Catholic tradition to join us as guests of the society are welcome. Submissions by Catholic scholars are welcome. Joint papers or panels of scholars are invited.

Philosophy Student Call for Presentations 2007

The Wesleyan Philosophical Society welcomes any undergraduate philosophy student with an interest in the Themes of Wesleyan and Catholic Thought who would like to submit proposals for poster board presentations. These poster board presentations will be available for review during breaks. Student proposals will be required to receive a recommendation from a member of the society before proposals are submitted to the Society. Registration required. A $100.00 Cash Prize will be offered to the Outstanding poster board.

Submit proposals of 250 words or less, along with name, position, and institutional affiliation (if applicable) to Brint Montgomery at Brint@snu.edu by October 1, 2006. For Student Presentations, please add a letter or email of recommendation for a member of the society. The proposal should be sent as an email attachment in Microsoft Word format. Assessment of proposals will be blinded.

L. Bryan Williams
Warner Pacific College