Comparative Theology

2027 Call for Papers

Alaina Keller, Georgetown University (DC)

ak1978@georgetown.edu

Reid Blackmer Locklin, University of Toronto (Canada)

reid.locklin@utoronto.ca

The Comparative Theology Section invites papers that explore the 2027 College Theology Society conference theme of “Mary, Seat of Wisdom: Refuge and Rabble-Rouser.” This section is particularly interested in proposals on the following questions and topics:

• What role does Marian devotion play in interreligious dialogue or interreligious relations?  In a world of increasing religious pluralism, how can Mary and Marian devotion serve as a foundation for interrogating barriers and building bridges across religious traditions?
• Where do Mary, Marian devotional practices, and material culture associated with Mary find resonance in other religious traditions?  What are possibilities and limitations of using Mary as a point of comparison?  What methodological considerations emerge when a religious figure, who is many things to many people, is used as a point of comparison in comparative theology?
• In light of Mary’s roles as humble refuge and rabble-rouser, how can comparative theologians uplift the voices of the marginalized and victims of violence in their scholarship?  What does it mean to do comparative theology as a “rabble-rouser,” and how does doing so support these voices?  Where does humility, a virtue for which Mary is known, figure into comparative theology?
• As Mary is known as the “Seat of Wisdom,” how can comparative theology contribute to a Christian understanding of “wisdom”?  How do other religious traditions or spiritualities understand “wisdom” and figures associated with wisdom?

We are also excited to invite modes of conference presentations besides the typical 20-minute paper-reading, such as one or a combination of the following:

• Sending out articles, texts, or other sources ahead of time for discussion in the session;
• Recording a video presentation to be viewed by participants ahead of time (connected to other source texts, discussion, etc.);
• Connecting with local artists, activists, interreligious or interfaith groups, parishes, churches, non-Christian places of worship and their communities, colleges, schools, etc., for a collaborative proposal;
• Engaging and collaborating with Indigenous activists, scholars, communities and more;
• Or any other alternative mode of conference presentations you may suggest. 

Proposals outside of the conference theme but still related to comparative or interreligious theology, theology of religions, or interreligious dialogue are welcome.

Proposals should be 250-500 words in length and include one’s current institutional affiliation and position. Proposals should be emailed to both conveners by December 15, 2026. Scholars will be notified of the status of their proposals by mid-January.