At this week’s Theological Research Seminar, Corey Parish will be presenting, “The Polyphony of Life”: Expanding Bonhoeffer’s Musical Imagery through the Lens of Disability Theology.”
Read the abstract and his bio below.
All are welcome to attend in Camelford Hall (room 226) at McMaster Divinity College at 1:00pm or via livestream at the link below:
Join the Livestream
Password: z00m (Note that the password has zeros rather than “o”)
Abstract
This paper expands Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s metaphor of the “polyphony of life” by engaging his musical imagery with disability theology. Using his earlier theological writings on anthropology, ecclesiology, and Christology as an undergirding for the concept of polyphony, i.e. several independent voices sounding together around an underlying melody—the cantus firmus, this paper brings Bonhoeffer’s musical imagery and academic theology into conversation with key themes in disability theology, including the realities of human diversity, our need for relationality and belonging, and the recognition of all people, including those with disabilities, as contributory participants in community life.
Bio
Corey is a church pastor and social service worker in Fergus, ON, where he lives with his wife and three children. He studies and writes in the field of practical theology with special emphasis on disability and community. Corey completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Tyndale University in 2024 and looks forward to beginning a PhD in Christian Theology at McMaster in January 2025.
About TRS
The MDC Theological Research Seminar (TRS) is a bimonthly gathering for all MDC students and faculty. TRS meets over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, and includes about thirty minutes for the paper presentation and twenty minutes for discussion.
All advanced degree students are invited to present a paper and share your research with your colleagues. TRS is an excellent opportunity to “test drive” a paper you will be presenting at an upcoming conference and receive helpful feedback on your current research projects. Thinking about submitting an article to a journal and want some interaction first? TRS will provide it. Just published an article or an essay and want to share it us? TRS is an excellent opportunity to broadcast it.
This year the organizing committee consists of Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Phil Zylla, and Dr. Gord Heath. To submit a paper, contact a member of the organizing committee.