History of Christian Life and Thought

2027 Call for Papers

Laura Coughlin, Seton Hall University (NJ)

sisterlauracoughlin@gmail.com

The History of Christian Life and Thought Section welcomes all proposals 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 topics:

• Devotional practices: Marian devotion in Christian life, especially as these speak to the concept of wisdom, as practiced in historically grounded contexts.
• Mystical writings: Expressions of Marian wisdom in mystical writings across Christian history
• Title, “Seat of wisdom”: Interpretations or appropriations of the Marian title, Seat of Wisdom, in the Christian tradition.
• Art: Marian art, literature, homiletics or preaching, liturgy, or other performative culture, emphasizing wisdom in distinct historical periods.
• Theology: The growth of, or declension from, Mariology across time both within and outside the Catholic faith, especially as this relates to her title, Seat of Wisdom.
• Ideological Movements: The intersection of ideological movements with the presentation of Mary wise woman, inflected as either refuge or rabble-rouser.

Please email proposals to Sr. Laura Coughlin at sisterlauracoughlin@gmail.com by December 15, 2026. Decisions will be emailed by mid-January.