Land Center to co-sponsor event on meaning of humanity

The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in partnership with the International Alliance for Christian Education (IACE) and Stand for Life of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), will address the topic of what it means to be human during a May 24-25 colloquium on the campus of Southwestern Seminary. The colloquium is a pre-conference to IACE’s second annual faculty development conference, May 25-27.

“Today, people are asking the question, ‘What does it mean to be human?’” said Daniel M. Darling, director of the Land Center and assistant professor of faith and culture at Texas Baptist College.

“We believe the pressing issues facing our culture at this moment are all connected to our understanding of humans made in the image of God,” said David S. Dockery, distinguished professor of theology at Southwestern Seminary and president of IACE.

Identifying pressing issues such as the sanctity of life, a biblical understanding of marriage and sexuality, artificial intelligence, and transhumanism among others, Dockery said, “Faulty understanding of Christian teaching on this subject leads to misunderstanding in the church and disarray in the culture.”

Designed for the faculties of Christian colleges, universities, seminaries, and high schools, the colloquium is also for pastors, church leaders, and students as attendees will hear from featured speakers John Kilner, C. Ben Mitchell, Jennifer Marshall Patterson, John Stonestreet, and Scott Rae. Speakers will address topics including the image of God and human dignity, what it means to be human, human beings created in and for relationship, faithful living in a culture of death, and the sanctity of human life.

“I think every generation of Christians really has to wrestle with what the Bible says about what it means to be human,” Darling said. “Human dignity is one of the best gifts that Christianity gives to the world. The Bible’s vision of what it means to be human is so rich and so robust. It not only tells us that humans are uniquely special and that we’re created in the image of God, but it also tells us why the human experience is so broken – because of sin” while also showing “the way forward” through Christ Jesus.

The colloquium will conclude with an application-based panel discussion facilitated by Darling that includes scholars and practitioners Gregg Allison, Katie Frugé, Autumn Alcott Ridenour, Robert Steward, and Lainey Greer.

More information and registration can be found here.