The 2023 Gingko Interfaith Fellowship Retreat was a joint project between the British Charity Gingko and the International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues at the University of Bonn. The theme of the 2023 Retreat was ‘Political Christology in Late Antiquity and in the Qur’an.’ It took place at Kardinal Schulte Haus Bensberg from 28-31 August and was attended by an international and interreligious group of scholarship holders, mainly from the UK, Egypt, and Germany.
The seminar explored the political dimension of Christological tenets in both Antiquity and contemporary approaches. First, this helped to gain a better understanding of the Qur’an and its Late Antique environment. The participants discussed how the Qur’an is engaged in debates evolving around the imperial theology of the Byzantine empire. Second, the course addressed the question of the systematic relevance of contemporary Christology in interreligious encounters. The participants addressed changes and developments within modern Systematic Theology and ask how they relate to the Qur’anic discourses. Third, Muslim perspectives of Christ, the atonement and crucifixion were explored.
The Retreat was followed by the full-day symposium “The Religious Other(s)” in cooperation with the Suermondt-Ludwig Museum Aachen. The participants reflected on the role of art in interreligious encounter in a workshop that was open to the public. This was preceded by a rich discussion with writer Navid Kermani who read from his book “Ungläubiges Staunen”.
Symposium "The Religious Other(s)"
In Cooperation with the Suermondt-Ludwig Museum
28 August | |
Arrival and dinner | 6 pm |
29 August | |
Christology today Klaus von Stosch |
9 - 12.30 am |
Lunch Break | 1 - 2 pm |
Political Theology in the Qur'an - Exegetical Perspectives Seyed Ali Aghaei |
2 - 4 pm |
Dinner | 6 pm |
30 August | |
Political Christology in the Qur'an Klaus von Stosch/Seyed Ali Aghaei |
9 - 12.30 am |
Lunch Break |
1 - 2 pm |
Political Christology Joshua Ralston |
2 - 4 pm |
Dinner |
6 pm |
31 August |
|
Political Christology Joshua Ralston |
9 - 11.30 am |
Departure to Aachen |
12.30 pm |
Public: Reflections on the Cross, Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum Navid Kermani |
3 - 4.30 pm |
Break |
4.30 - 5 pm |
Public: Art as Host, Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum Till-Holger Borchert |
5 - 6 pm |
Visit to Aachen Cathedral |
6 - 7 pm |
Dinner at Die Erholungs-Gesellschaft 1837 |
8 pm |
1 September |
Full Day Symposium "The Religious Other" |
Session One: Session Two: |
9.30 - 11am - coffee break 11.30 am - 1 pm |
Lunch (not provided) Jummah Prayer |
1 - 3 pm (Jummah prayers at 2 pm) |
Session Three: Session Four: |
3 - 4.30 pm - coffee break 5 - 6 pm |
2 September |
Departure |