We would like to give notice of a symposium, ‘Exemplars in the Gospels’ that is due to take place from 9:45am to 5pm on Friday June 10th at Harris Manchester College, Oxford.

In recent years there has been growing academic interest in the topic of moral exemplars, from psychological, theological, philosophical and educational perspectives. At the start of September 2019 Dr Liz Gulliford (University of Northampton) began leading a research project (funded by the John Templeton Foundation) on the role of exemplar narratives in cultivating character. This is an interdisciplinary project involving Dr Ed Brooks (University of Oxford) and Dr Oliver Coates (University of Cambridge).

We have reflected on different types of exemplar; the ‘hero’, the ‘sage’ and the ‘saint’. While inspirational, many Biblical exemplars are more complex and ‘human’ than the heroic exemplars revered in ancient Greece, and we wanted to invite more reflection on this theme from others.

On June 10th we will welcome four speakers who will each address the theme of ‘Exemplars in the Gospels’:

Rev Julia Baldwin, Brasenose College, University of Oxford, Matthean Jesus: The Greatest Teacher Ever Told?

Rev. Dr Jonathan Brant, Oxford Pastorate and University of Oxford, Simon Peter in the Gospel of Mark: An Exemplary Failure?

Rev. Dr Joanna Collicutt, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Unlikely Human Exemplars in Luke

Rev Dr Michael Lakey, Vicar, Chalgrove & Berrick Salome, Exemplars and Archetypes and Icons, oh my! Some observations regarding John’s structure

Welcome coffee will be available from 9.45am for a 10.15am start. We will finish by 5pm.

This event is free of charge. Coffee and a vegetarian lunch will be provided. There is an upper limit on numbers, so please email Dr Oliver Coates by 27th May, 2022 to secure your place