Idolatry and Power in America
Idolatry is not about worshipping physical idols; idolatry is about worshipping false idols. It is about valuing above all what should be valued least of all. Idolatry is about worshipping money over justice, valuing power over responsibility, and praising lies despite the need for truth. Idolatry is human deception, and it is found in our collective cultural histories from biblical times to the present setting in America. Insight into idolatry and its abuse of power is important to understand because such insight, in biblical terms, is related to justice, and justice is an action that requires the truth.
At its annual conference in May (29–31) in San Diego, Westar will address the challenging question of idolatry and power renewed and strengthened in contemporary American culture. Where idolatry reigns, lies and truth are indistinguishable. Westar biblical scholars and theologians will gather to discuss and expose the abusive use of power that substitutes tantalizing lies for liberating truth.
Speakers
Gary Dorrien
Gary Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dorrien has written extensively on the social gospel in America and is equally comfortable in the study of Philosophy. Most noted among his distinguished twenty-five books are Kantian Reason and the Hegelian Spirit (2012), Breaking White Supremacy (2015), and American Democratic Socialism (2021). Dorrien has written extensively on the Black social gospel (A Darkly Radian Vision, 2023) and on progressive political thought in theology(The Spirit of American Liberal Theology, 2023). Gary Dorrien is the winner of the 2024 Gandhi King Mandela Peace Prize, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia.
Rita Nakashima Brock
Rita Nakashima Brock is the Senior Vice President for Moral Injury Programs of Volunteers of America. She is an outstanding scholar of theology and a leader in Westar’s Christ Seminar. Among her extensive publications, starting with Journeys by Heart (1988), she is the co-author, with Rebecca Ann Parker, of Saving Paradise(2008, 2012), selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best books in religion in 2008. Saving Paradise was also the theme book for the Greenbelt Festival in England in 2012. Brock is a pioneer in the study of moral injury and is among the first to address the issues of sex work and justice from a feminist perspective (see Casting Stones, Fortress Press). Brock is the co-founder of the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University.
In Person Details Conference Agenda
Thursday May 29
Snacks available for early arrivals.
Welcome
1:30–1:50 pm
• Executive Director David and Board Chair Sarah
Welcome to the Conference
• David Introduces the Fishbowl Event
Scholars in the Fishbowl
2:00–3:30 pm (Livestream Event 1)
Hosts: David Galston and Shirley Paulson
• Rotating Westar Scholars open to your questions
Westar Wine and Cheese Reception
4:00–5:00 pm
• Featuring Cheeses of Nazareth
• Estate Planning Information
Featured Speaker
7:30–9:00 pm (Livestream Event 2)
• Gary Dorrien
Friday May 30
Christianity Seminar
10:00–11:30 am (Livestream Event 3)
Host: Jason BeDuhn, Nina Livesey, Lillian Larsen
Topic: A Report on Our Conclusions
Theology Seminar
1:30–3:00 pm (Livestream Event 4)
Hosts: Jeffrey Robbins
Subject: What is Idolatry?
Power and Idolatry Seminar
3:30–5:00 pm (Livestream Event 5)
Hosts: In process
Subject: What’s at Stake in Power and Idolatry
Featured Speaker
7:30–9:00 PM (Livestream Event 6)
• Rita Nakashima Brock
Saturday May 31
Bible Seminar
10:00–11:30 am (Livestream Event 7)
Hosts: Chad Venters and Art Dewey
Subject: Idolatry and the Book of Revelation
Westar Coffee Shop
1:30–3:00 pm (Livestream Event 8)
Hosts: David and Sarah
• Reflections on the Pale Blue Dot
• Re-imagining Praxis
• Historical Jesus and Church
Free time
3:00–5:30 pm
(Women of Westar 3:10-4:00)
Celebration Westar Authors
5:30–6:30 pm
• David Galston
• Jeffery Robbins
• Nina Livesey
Westar Banquet and Farewell
7:00–9:00 pm
Registration Information
Full Conference Registration is the standard registration for the conference. The Christmas Special member’s price for $650.00 is on now until January 15, 2025.
The registration includes:
1. Wine and cheese reception and supper on May 29
3. Breakfast, lunch, and supper on May 30
4. Breakfast, lunch, and banquet on May31
5. All snacks, coffee, and tea are included (available throughout the conference)
Alcoholic Beverages are limited to one on May 29 and one on May 31. Otherwise registrants must use the cash bar.