Coming to ETS 2023 in San Antonio? Check out these sessions

It’s that time of year again– the 2023 Annual Conference of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS)! (This year, I’m skipping SBL)

I want to let you know about a couple of papers I’m giving at ETS as well as two sessions that might interest you. I’m presenting in each of these sessions, so I’ll attach my abstract at the bottom so you can know what I’ll be talking about.

Sessions of Interest

Wednesday, November 15th
8:30 AM – 11:40 AM Asian/Asian-American Theology
Henry B. González Convention Center, Third Floor – 302 C

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Benjamin C. Shin (Talbot School of Theology)
From Grace to Grace: How Asian American Culture Complements The New Perspective on Grace

9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
Daniel K. Eng (Western Seminary)
The Task of Asian American Hermeneutics and Contextualization

9:50 AM – 10:20 AM
Brad Vaughn (William Carey Publishing)
Do “Contextual Theologies” Threaten a Transcultural Gospel?

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Daniel D. Lee (Fuller Theological Seminary)
Response to Daniel K. Eng and Brad Vaughn’s interaction with Doing Asian American Theology

11:10 AM – 11:40 AM
Panel Discussion & Q&A
The Publication Process for Asian Americans

Jon Boyd (IVP)
Benjamin C. Shin (Talbot School of Theology)
Daniel K. Eng (Western Seminary)
Brad Vaughn (William Carey Publishing)
Daniel D. Lee (Fuller Theological Seminary)

Wednesday, November 15th
3:15 PM – 6:25 PM Theology and Missions
Grand Hyatt – Third Floor Travis C

3:15 PM – 3:55 PM
Joshua Bowman (Cedarville University)
The Missional Helix: Implications of Consistencies in Van Rheenen’s Model and Carey’s An Enquiry

4:05 PM – 4:45 PM
Joe Allen III (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)
The Theological Dimension of Early Islam’s Triumph over Christianity

4:55 PM – 5:35 PM
Brad Vaughn (William Carey Publishing)
How Atonement in Leviticus Contributes to the Church’s Mission

5:45 PM – 6:25 PM
J. Keith McKinley (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Defining the Missionary Mission in Romans 15:14-24

Abstracts for My ETS Papers

How Atonement in Leviticus Contributes to the Church’s Mission

The doctrine of atonement has long motivated the work of missions. Christians proclaim reconciliation with God and with others. Yet, less attention is typically given to how the sacrificial system in Leviticus itself contributes to the task of mission. The Old Testament uses three primary metaphors to describe the work of atonement–– purification, load bearing, and payment. Furthermore, worshippers seek atonement through several different types of sacrifices.

How might understanding these various offerings enhance our view of reconciliation and our strategies for pursuing it? By clarifying both the goal and mechanism of this Levitical system, we can better use Scripture to shape not only our message but also our mission practice.

Do “Contextual Theologies” Threaten a Transcultural Gospel?

Daniel Lee’s Doing Asian American Theology not only is a groundbreaking apologetic for Asian/Asian-American Theology; it also demonstrates a theological method that takes seriously the cultural particularities shaping our theologies. Lee’s emphasis on the way that experience influences Asian-American theology raises questions about the nature of all so-called “contextual theologies.”

Therefore, this paper explores how cultural and situational particularities contribute to a robust biblical theology that does not devolve into theological subjectivism. In so doing, it highlights the contribution of Lee’s project and underscores the need to consider afresh how Euro-American normativity has led to the universalization of “Western theologies.”