This panel presentation will explore the significance of the “theological” component of ATLA from different perspectives. First, we will explore historical documentation of the identity of the people who started ATLA and how their faith influenced and energized their work, together with the question of what obligation (if any) remains to uphold this legacy. This will include attention to how the program elements of the annual conference (e.g., memorials, worship sessions, guest preachers, etc) reflect these faith commitments.
Second we will report the results of a survey to be distributed among ATLA members this coming spring. The survey instrument will be designed to elucidate the faith commitments of current ATLA members, and how these commitments both do, and do not, relate to members’ professional identity/activity, as well as their expectations and impressions of ATLA.
Finally, drawing upon this survey and other recent surveys of religious identity (as well as relevant literature on the relationship between Theology, Religious Studies, and their professional associations) this presentation will identify criteria and benchmarks for assessing and addressing the future of ATLA as a community of faith.
