Religion majors give presentations in the 2021 URCA Symposium


On April 15, 2021, two of our senior Religion majors, Alec Dunlap and Nathan Sims, presented their research as part of the annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences.


Alec Dunlap, who was advised by Dr. David Aune, presented on the topic, “Intellectual Disabilities and Reformation Theology: What Do Luther and Calvin Have to Say?”  Recognizing that those with intellectual disabilities are sometimes excluded or separated or even blamed for their disabilities, Dunlap argued that the theological frameworks provided by Martin Luther and John Calvin can provide helpful resources for ministry.  Dunlap focused on three major loci within the reformer’s theological system: the providence of God, the image of God in humanity and the sacraments of the church.  According to Dunlap, both Luther and Calvin provide resources not only for seeing God at work in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities but also for ministering to them and including them in the life of the church. 


Nathan Sims, who was advised by Dr. Craig Hovey, presented on the topic, “Triumphus et Ruina autem Leviathan: A Critique of Christianity’s Embrace of the State as Savior.”   In his work, Sims traced ways in which the Christian church has idolized the state throughout its history and offered a critique of this tendency to view the state as a savior.  Drawing on the work of Augustine, Karl Barth and William Cavanaugh, Sims discussed the theological significance of the state as providing goods for the church while at the same time threatening its existence. In the end, Sims argued for the importance of seeing that eventually the state will disappear and give way to the kingdom of God.


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