The Asia-Pacific Early Christian Studies Society invites proposals for papers to be delivered at its twelfth annual conference to be held at Tsushima Campus, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan, from Thursday morning, 13 September to Saturday afternoon, 15 September, 2018, convened by Kazuhiko Demura. Papers are 30 minutes in duration (20 minutes delivery and 10 minutes for discussion). The Society welcomes all proposals that explore any theme relevant to the early Christian world from the New Testament to the end of Late Antiquity, and especially those that focus on this year’s theme: Health, Well-being, and Old Age in Early Christianity.
Early Christians were conscious of the impact of health and ageing on well-being. Physical old age could be both a blessing and curse. Health could be both desired and despised. They held a holistic concept of the notion of well-being, understanding it not only in physical, but spiritual terms also. In many instances well-being was viewed through the perspective of eschatology and soteriology, often in an ascetical or psychagogic context, with many Christian writers asserting the superiority of the spiritual over the physical. The relationship between body and soul, sickness and health, youth and maturity, sin and grace, was key to the promotion of a true understanding of Christian well-being. At the same time one should not dismiss insights early Christians provided on the physical aspects of health and old age.
A 150-word abstract should be sent by 30 April, 2018 to Prof. Kazuhiko Demura (demura@okayama-u.ac.jp) and Dr. Geoffrey D. Dunn (geoffrey.dunn@acu.edu.au). Further questions can be addressed to Prof. Demura. Other proposals besides the conference theme are most welcome. Papers are presented in English (or other languages as appropriate). Our practice is that conference presenters distribute copies of their papers (minus notes) in English to participants to minimise language difficulties. Presenters need to bring their own copies for distribution. Registration forms and further details will be available soon on this website shortly. There will be an opportunity for some cultural event in Okayama on Thursday afternoon. A conference dinner will be held on Friday 14 September.
For more information, go to the APECSS website.
Month: February 2018
APECSS website launched.
Asia-Pacific Early Christian Studies Society launches the new website, by the webmaster, Dr Geoffrey Dunn.
Conference talk @ Brisbane
2018年1月下旬からブリスベンのクイーンズランド大学において開催された ASCS オーストラレーシア古典学会に参加し、進行中のプロジェクトに関連する研究発表を行ないました。発表タイトルはつぎのとおりです。
- N. Kamimura, “Constructing the Sacred in Late Antiquity: Jerome as a Guide for Christian Identity,” 39th Australasian Society for Classical Studies conference, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD: 29 January–2 February 2018.
今回は、ASCS 参加に先立って、シドニーのマコーリー大学で開かれる書簡セミナーに出席し、大学構内に1泊しました。翌日、ブリスベンへ移動、空港から UQ へ移動しました。キャンパスは広大で、池のほとりでは夕方になるとカモメがうるさく飛び回っていました。研究発表については、Late Antiquity session において、ヒエロニムスのテクスト分析を紹介し、質問も幾つか出たので、今後の課題です。また、論集への寄稿の準備もはじめなければなりません。
学会がおわったあとで日程にすこし余裕があったので、友人たちにコアラサンクチュアリを案内してもらいました。メルボルンの動物園ですでに見たことのあるなじみの動物が多かったのですが、気温のためなのか、このサンクチュアリの動物たちのほうが生き生きとしていました。霧雨の煙るなか、カンガルーはエサを求めて人々の回りにわらわらと集まっているものもいれば、エサに飽きてじっとたたずんでいるものも。印象的だったのは、タスマニアンデヴィルがあんなに活発に動き回っているのをはじめて見たことと、カモノハシも元気に泳いでいたことです。ディンゴはかわいらしく、まるで柴犬のようでした。