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Life Together amidst the Cost of Discipleship: Exploring the Theology and Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
March 25, 2026
12:30 PM–5:30 PM
McMaster Divinity College
About
The twentieth-century German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945) holds a special place in the hearts of many for his theological insight and his courageous commitment to living out a Christ-centered, community-oriented vision of the Gospel’s costly grace in the midst of historical crisis. Bonhoeffer’s voice continues to inspire people to think both with and after him in ways that are both creatively constructive and critically relevant.
We warmly invite longtime fans and those new to his work to join us for a thought-provoking afternoon of scholarly exploration. Together, we will reflect on Bonhoeffer’s life, work, and enduring legacy, with particular attention to fresh perspectives on his theology and ethics and their ongoing significance for today.
Plenary Speaker
Patrick S. Franklin
Patrick S. Franklin (PhD) is the Alister E. McGrath Chair of Christian Thought & Spirituality and Associate Professor of Theology at Tyndale University in Toronto. He is the author of Being Human, Being Church: The Significance of Theological Anthropology for Ecclesiology (Paternoster, 2016) and many articles and book chapters, include several engaging various aspects of Bonhoeffer’s theology.
Plenary Speaker
Elizabeth Gerhardt
Elizabeth Gerhardt (MSW, STM, ThD Boston University) is Professor of Theology and Social Ethics at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University. Research interests focus on the application of the theology of the cross to contemporary justice concerns, and the role of the church in responding to interpersonal, cultural and political violence. Dr. Gerhardt is the author of The Cross and Gendercide: A Theological Response to Global Violence against Women and Children (InterVarsity Press).
Plenary Speaker
Stanley E. Porter
Stanley E. Porter has taught for over thirty years in universities and seminaries in Canada, the USA, and the UK. He has served as President and Professor of New Testament at MDC since 2001. His publications include 38 authored books and over 400 authored journal articles and chapters along with over 100 other shorter pieces; he has also edited over 100 volumes. He remains a well-known and respected expert in Greek and New Testament studies throughout the world, but has interests that cover the range of New Testament studies, from Paul to the gospels to papyrology and textual criticism, as well as the Septuagint.
Register
This event will be held in person at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
Schedule
| Time | Track 1: Biblical Studies | Track 2: Contemporary Political Engagement | Track 3: Contextual and Sociological Theology | Track 4: Systematic Theology | Track 5: Ecclesiology and Ethics |
| 12:30 – 12:35 | Welcome and Announcements | ||||
| 12:35 – 13:20 | Keynote #1: Elizabeth Gerhardt “Dietrich Bonhoeffer in London (1933-1935): At the Crossroads of Church and State” |
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| 13:30 – 14:00 | J. Gregory Davidson: “Bonhoeffer’s Reading of Genesis 3:6 in Creation and Fall: Discourse, Ontology and Context” |
Mark McKim: “Bonhoeffer in the Age of Trump” |
Kwasi Boakye: “Blyden, Bonhoeffer, and the Black Experience: A Comparative Analysis of the Theodicies of ‘Negro’ Slave Religion and Dietrich Bonhoeffer” |
Bert Douglas: “Only a Suffering God Can Help: Divine Vulnerability and the Cost of Life Together in Dietrich Bonhoeffer” |
Quinten Shannon: “A Theology of Togetherness: Bonhoeffer’s Response to the Post-Pandemic Church” |
| 14:10 – 14:40 | Isaiah C. Padgett: “Bonhoeffer the Sage? Examining Creation and Fall’s Theological Anthropology in Dialogue with the Hebrew Wisdom Literature” |
Tim Stagner: “The Spiritual Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a Corrective to Current Trends in the United States” |
Lee Beach: “A Man in Harlem: How the Black Church Made Dietrich Bonhoeffer into a Practical Theologian” |
Corey Parish: “Vulnerability as a Human Paradigm: Christian Humanism and Disability in Bonhoeffer’s Theological Anthropology” |
Gordon L. Heath: “Lying, Deception, and Tyrannicide: Imitating Bonhoeffer When Under Duress?” |
| 14:40 – 14:55 | Intermission and Refreshments | ||||
| 14:55 – 15:40 | Keynote #2: Patrick S. Franklin “Bonhoeffer’s Incarnational Ethics as a Call to Resist the Seductive Power of Ideology and Polarization” |
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| 15:50 – 16:20 | Aaron Jung: “Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Son Yang-won, and a European-Korean Decolonial Reading of the New Testament” |
Tom Lee: “Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Confessional Preaching and Its Implications for Contemporary Political Polarization” |
James Dvorak: “‘Friendly Conversation or Fisticuffs?’: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Pierre Bourdieu in Conversation – A Thought Experiment” |
Clement Yung Wen: “Bonhoeffer’s Social Ontology as Answer to a Contemporary Theological Impasse” |
Laura Gobbels: “The Church in the Face of the State: The Connection between Bonhoeffer’s Ecclesiology and his Political Theology” |
| 16:30 – 17:15 | Keynote #3: Stanley E. Porter “Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an Interpreter of the New Testament” |
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| 17:15 – 17:30 | Closing Remarks | ||||
Additional Information
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Directions & Parking
Getting to McMaster Divinity College
We are located on the campus of McMaster University, just off the ON-403 highway. The McMaster Divinity College building is the second building on the left when entering via the Sterling Street entrance to campus. As parking options are limited and to reduce your carbon footprint, we recommend carpooling or making use of public transit where possible. Both GO buses and HSR transit drop off on campus often. If you do wish to park on campus, more information is below.
McMaster Divinity College
1280 Main St W
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1Parking
There are multiple parking options on campus, varying in availability and cost. You can find more information at parking.mcmaster.ca, including:
Parking Map Rates Shuttle Service
Please note, there is very limited parking in the McMaster Divinity College lot (A) for guests. The next closest lot is L.R. Wilson Underground, directly adjacent to our building. If you require accessible parking, please contact divevent@mcmaster.ca.
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Call for Papers
We welcome paper proposals for “Life Together amidst the Cost of Discipleship: Exploring the Theology and Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,” to be held at McMaster Divinity College on March 25, 2026. At the same time, we anticipate the publication of contributions that pass review within a future edited volume about Bonhoeffer via MDC Press. Those interested should please submit their proposal including name, title, and abstract (100-150 words) on any topic related to Bonhoeffer by December 15, 2025. Proposals can be from the perspective of biblical studies (e.g., Bonhoeffer’s use of scripture), historical studies, ministry studies, theological studies, or something multi- or inter-disciplinary.
The call for papers is now closed as we have reached capacity. Thank you to those who submitted proposals, presenters will be notified very soon.
Presenting Sponsor
