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In the 21st century, religious diversity is a fact of life. Be it the result of historical precedent or technological advancement, immigration or proselytization, religious diversity can be as disorienting for some as it is enriching for others. For the committed follower of Christ, how are we to make sense of and respond to the non-Christian religions we encounter? Importantly, how does our understanding of religion and religious phenomena impact our proactive Christian witness?

It is in light of such questions that we find ourselves returning to the text, to the witness of scripture and to the great women and men of faith upon whose shoulders we stand, for guidance. In this vein, Middle East Consultation 2018 – Jesus Christ and the Religious Other: Toward a Biblical Understanding of Islam works toward discerning a Biblically grounded theology of Islam and religion which constructively informs the Church in its thinking, attitude, and approach to ministry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

For this reason, IMES is very excited to announce the keynote presenters for Middle East Consultation 2018:

 

 

Ida Glasser (UK): Director Emeritus, Oxford Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies (OCMCS) | Associate Staff at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford

 

 

 

 

Imad Shehadeh (Jordan): Founder and President, Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS) | Senior Professor of Theology

 

 

 

 

 

Havilah Dharamraj (India): Academic Dean and Professor of Old Testament, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Accad (Lebanon): Chief Academic Officer, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) | Director, Institute of Middle East Studies (IMES) | Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, ABTS and Fuller Theological Seminary

 

 

 

 

Rose Mary Amenga-Etego (Ghana): Senior Lecturer in the Department for the Study of Religions, University of Ghana

 

 

 

 

 

Ekram Lamie Hennawie (Egypt): Senior Professor of Comparative Religions, Evangelical Theological Seminary Cairo (ETSC) 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Shaw (Lebanon/USA): Assistant Professor of Cross-Cultural Ministry, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

Anton Deik (Palestine): Director of Online Education and Instructor in Biblical Studies, Bethlehem Bible College (BBC)

 

 

 

 

 

Richard McCallum (UK): Senior Fellow, Oxford Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies | Lead Faculty for MENA Cultures, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Kuhn (USA/Lebanon): Assistant Professor in Discipleship and Biblical Theology, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

Throughout MEC 2018, we will be led in scriptural devotions by:

 

 

Emad Boutros (Egypt/Lebanon): Lecturer in Old Testament Studies, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Shaw (Lebanon/USA): Assistant Professor of Cross-Cultural Ministry, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

Abed Zieneldien (Lebanon): Lecturer in Communication Studies, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

Chaden Hani (Lebanon): IMES Peacebuilding Initiatives Coordinator, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS)

 

 

 

 

 

David Gregory (UK): President, The Baptist Union of Great Britain

 

 

 

 

Participants and contributors at MEC 2018 come from across the region and the world, providing a unique opportunity to reflect upon the critical challenges of Islam, religious diversity and Christian witness in light of scripture and the study of religion. MEC 2018 will feature high quality presentations from multiple perspectives, personal testimonies, interfaith forums, intimate breakout sessions, and opportunities for all participants to engage in robust discussion.

Middle East Consultation 2018 will be held from June 18 until June 22 at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon. For questions, please contact MEC@abtslebanon.org.

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