CALL FOR PAPERS
CTSA CONVENTION: Albuquerque, 2017
CONVENTION THEME: “Ecology: Theological Investigations”
TOPIC SESSION: Spirituality Topic Session
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM:
Wendy M. Wright (Convener)
Colleen Carpenter
Matthew Ashley
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
This year the CTSA has chosen as its theme Ecology: Theological Investigations. The topic focuses
attention on the contemporary ecological crisis and the need for the Church to respond.
This theme has implications for the field of spirituality, suggesting a deep connection between spiritual
experience and our attitudes towards the earth and our practices that influence the environment. Our
concern is the importance of ecology not just in and of itself but for the practice and academic study of
spirituality.
The field of Spirituality is a comparatively new one, studying the lived experience of people as they
relate to transcendent reality. Its starting point is reflection emerging from lived experience which is
then examined using a variety of theoretical perspectives (historical, psychological, sociological, literary
criticism, biblical studies, practical theological, etc). Normally a paper in this field would lay out its
argument in terms of a thick description of experience, a reflective critical analysis of that experience,
and a constructive understanding of that experience as is it open to transcendence.
In recent years, our conversations at the CTSA have attempted to understand more deeply the nature of
spirituality (and by implication, the academic field of spirituality) and what spirituality has to say to the
theological enterprise as a whole
We invite papers that both reflect on the nature of spirituality and on the relation of the experience of
spirituality to ecology and ecological concerns. We can envision a number of possible ways of doing
this.
For example:
 One could address the question of ecology as a bridge for ecumenical or interfaith dialogue

One could examine resources from the classic Christian spiritual traditions for ecological insights

One could examine the implicit spiritual vision behind contemporary nature writing

One could consider spiritual practices that make it possible to re-imagine the human relationship
with the earth.

One could explore the spiritual assumptions behind contemporary ecological activism

One could consider the ways that Christian spirituality might address climate change

One could attempt a spiritual reframing of the scientific analysis of the present ecological crisis

One could situate a spirituality of place within the larger theological enterprise

One could examine the spirituality of a contemporary theologian whose work focuses on ecology
or compare several figures

One could reflect on the spiritual implications of ecological neglect for those at the margins of
society who are most affected by climate change

One could examine the spiritual vision and assumptions of individuals or groups who deny
climate change

One could examine the ecological implications of where academic theology is done and to what
end and its implications for spirituality

One could do something that we have not envisioned that articulated and reflected upon the lived
experience of openness to transcendence and ecology.
Whatever approach one chooses, we would like the paper to advance the conversation about the nature
of spirituality, contribute to the deeper understanding of what we mean when we use the term
spirituality, and develop the implications of this understanding for the enterprise of doing theology.
Proposals should clearly state the topic to be developed in the paper, the approach that will be taken,
and the conclusion as currently envisioned. Instead of an individual paper, you may wish to propose a
panel on which three speakers would each speak for about twenty minutes on a common topic. You
may also wish to propose a team of two persons who propose the same topic from two different points
of view.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Proposals should be between 200-500 words and should include the author’s name, institution, and
contact information. The deadline for submission is September 1, 2016. Notification of acceptance
for presentation will be given by September 14, 2016. Authors of accepted papers will be required to
submit a 100 word précis for the program posted on the web. A maximum of three papers will be
selected for the session. Please send proposals as an email attachment in a Word document to Wendy
Wright at [email protected].
Presenters must be members, associate members, or applying for membership of CTSA; proposers must
also ensure that their dues to CTSA are paid. It is important that proposals also indicate whether any
audio-visual equipment would be required for the presentation at the convention. Additionally, no
member may present a paper/respond to a paper/participate on a panel more than once at a given
convention. An exception is made for under-represented groups, but exceptions are not made for
presentations made to the Women’s Consultation on Constructive Theology. Presenters may not present
a paper/participate on a panel/respond to paper or panel at the CTSA convention more two years in a
row.