LEST a short history
LEST, a short history
In 1997, the first Leuven Encounters In Systematic Theology (LEST), entitled The Myriad Christ: Plurality and the Quest for Unity in Contemporary Christology, reflected upon the impact of the challenge of religious pluralism with regard to Christological thinking and considered several prospects for the traditional Christian understanding of Christ at the end of the second millennium. LEST II (1999), Sacramental Presence in a Postmodern Context – Fundamental Theological Approaches, began with the fundamental and theological question of experiencing God in everyday life and searched for plausible reflections on sacramental presence. Acknowledging that relational approaches play an ever more important role as a method in theology, LEST III (2001) aimed at stimulating thought and research on the role of conversation in theology under the heading of Theology and Conversation – Developing a Rational Theology. LEST IV (2003), Religious Experience and Contemporary Theological Epistemology, in it’s turn focused on a refined understanding of religious experience and its relation to contemporary theological reflection in of the light of present day challenges. Lest V (2005) was dedicated to reflection on the 'classical' doctrine of the Incarnation from a variety of perspectives, with particular attention to the significance of the doctrine (or the lack thereof) for the understanding of human history as a history of suffering. The aim of LEST VI (2007) was to reflect on the Church as community in its different senses, especially on the challenge it is facing in an age of individualisation, the relationship between the local and global community, the problem of identity, diversity and unity, as well as the future of the ecumenical enterprise. In the face of rapid and interconnected changes in our worldviews and ways of living, LEST VII (2009) tried to envision our scattering world as God’s graceful gift through a transdisciplinary approach to creation and its healing. At LEST VIII (2011), one of the main foci of multidisciplinary theological reflection will be the relationship between theology, with its appeal to tradition and tradition development, and history, with its appeal to data and the canons of historical research.
LEST is an initiative of the Research Unit Systematic Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven. It is organised biannually and is chaired by one of the Research Unit’s professors. The supervisory board of LEST consists of professors Lieven Boeve, Peter De Mey, Jacques Haers, and Terrence Merrigan.
