FEET Conference in Paris, 29 August - 2 September 2014: Towards a Christian Ethic in Contemporary Europe

‘TOWARD A CHRISTIAN ETHIC IN CONTEMPORARY EUROPE’ THE 2014 FEET-AFETE CONFERENCE

Press Statement The joint conference between FEET (Fellowship of European Evangelical Theologians) and AFETE (Association Francophone Européenne de Théologiens Evangéliques) took place in Paris from 29 August till 2 September 2014. It was attended by 90 Evangelical theologians from all over Europe, who together engaged the theological and social challenges for Christian ethics in present-day Europe. Six plenary lectures, seven workshops, three Bible studies, five meetings of discipline groups, a meeting for doctoral students, and countless exchanges between specialists took place. Some of the papers will be published on a future issue of the European Journal of Theology.

Christian ethics cannot be reduced to a list of ‘dos and don’ts’, that is, prescriptions and prohibitions. It needs to begin from God himself who is the Lord of creation and revelation and to study the different situations to hear the concerns of the world. The task of Christian ethics is to understand the modern worldview, its values and ways of thinking, recognising its positive sides and contributions, and appreciating truth wherever it comes from. Yet the foundation of ethics is rooted in the very being of God who has revealed Himself. Christian ethics needs to grasp the current problems in the light of the whole of Scripture while applying a responsible hermeneutics which is faithful to the whole of God’s Word.

Christian ethics is also the result of the integration between confession and commitment to action in contributing to all aspects of life, both private and public. This is the task to which the 2010 Cape Town Commitment calls the whole Church.

The FEET-AFETE conference was the first collaboration between the two associations and was an enriching experience for all. Yesterday’s answers need to be constantly reviewed in the light of Scripture and in making every effort to stay in touch with the contemporary situation we face.

The FEET-AFETE conference was the first collaboration between the two associations and was an enriching experience for all. Yesterday’s answers need to be constantly reviewed in the light of Scripture and in making every effort to stay in touch with the contemporary situation we face.

Press Statement