Theology for the Church: Why the NPTS Symposium Matters Now More Than Ever

Theology in Service of the Church

In a cultural moment marked by global instability, political polarization, and—too often—a growing distrust of religious leadership, the question is not whether theology matters, but how it matters. What kind of theological reflection can sustain faithful ministry, deepen discipleship, and guide the church through turbulent times? 

For over four decades, North Park Theological Seminary has hosted the Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture to wrestle with precisely these kinds of questions. The Symposium gathers scholars, pastors, ministry leaders, and students to engage Scripture theologically and pastorally. At its core lies a deep conviction: serious, Spirit-led engagement with the Bible is not a luxury for the church—it is a necessity. 

What Is the Symposium?

Launched in the 1980s, the Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture is one of North Park’s signature public events. It invites participants to engage Scripture through both theological and ecclesial lenses, with the church always in view. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Symposium has shifted to a biennial rhythm, allowing space for deeper planning and wider participation. The event is held on campus over two days (and streamed online), typically comprising six to seven sessions. 

A distinct feature of the Symposium is that presenters share drafts of their papers in advance, giving registered participants time to read, reflect, and arrive ready for thoughtful engagement. Each session includes a presentation by a scholar or ministry practitioner, followed by a formal response from another expert. This structure encourages rich, informed dialogue with the full gathering at the close of each session. Since 2025, we’ve also revived the tradition of including a worship service featuring a guest preacher. 

The proceedings of each Symposium are published in Ex Auditu, a theological journal established to preserve not just the content but the spirit of these conversations. At its best, the Symposium embodies what we at North Park Seminary strive to teach: that Scripture is not a static text to be dissected, but a living word to be heard, interpreted, and embodied in the life of the church. 

Themes That Speak to the Church Today

In recent years, the Symposium has focused on issues that lie at the heart of public and pastoral life: 

• Politics (Ex Auditu, vol. 36): This volume collects the papers and proceedings from the fall 2021 Symposium, held online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biblical scholars, theologians, and pastors explored the church’s call to engage political life with wisdom and grace. For instance, Stephen Chapman of Duke Divinity School reflected on Jeremiah 29 and its implications for a robust political theology.
• Creation Care (Ex Auditu, vol. 37): This volume will feature the papers and responses from our in-person Symposium held September 2023, where scholars and practitioners explored the church’s ecological responsibilities. One example is Alice Hague—a North Park Theological Seminary alumna and current research scholar at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland—who presented a paper titled “Practicing Hope in a Changing World: Local Churches and Environmental Action.” 
• Hospitality and Immigration (Ex Auditu, vol. 38):This volume will include the proceedings from our most recent Symposium, held February 2025, which focused on the dual themes of hospitality and immigration. The Symposium approached these topics directly through the lens of Scripture and a shared desire to discern God’s will with wisdom and compassion. For example, Alexia Salvatierra of Fuller Seminary presented a paper titled “Holistic Solidarity: A Model for Immigrant Mission and Ministry.” 

Why We Do This—and Why Christians Should Care

One helpful metaphor for engaging Scripture is that of a mountain trail—ancient, beautiful, and sometimes challenging. And like any meaningful trail, we don’t walk it alone. The Symposium is one way we journey together: listening for the Spirit, reading in community, and bringing our questions to the text and to one another. 

Ex Auditu, the journal that publishes the Symposium’s papers and sermons, exists not simply to archive academic dialogue but to amplify theology for the church. It’s a space where pastors, professors, and lay leaders alike can join in deep, Spirit-led conversations rooted in God’s Word. 

Each time we host the Symposium, we also offer a for-credit seminar course that runs in parallel. Guided by a seminary faculty member, students attend the Symposium together, meet as a cohort, and complete reflective assignments that deepen their engagement with both the content and the community. I regularly hear from students who take this course that it becomes a deeply formative experience during their time at North Park. 

This is one of the reasons I love teaching here: students aren’t just observers of theological conversation—they’re participants. They respond to papers, engage speakers, and reflect deeply in class and in community.  

Looking Ahead

The next Symposium, scheduled for February 2027, will take up a timely and sobering theme: Pastoral Integrity in an Age of Celebrity. In a culture that too often rewards platform over faithfulness and charisma over character, we will reflect theologically on what it truly means to lead well. 

Together, we will explore pressing questions such as: 

• What does Scripture teach about ambition, authority, and accountability? 
• How do biblical models of leadership—like Moses, David, and Paul—speak into our present moment of visibility and influence?
• How can the church form leaders who are spiritually grounded, ethically trustworthy, and pastorally wise? 

Our prayer is that this gathering will not only help diagnose the challenges of our time but also illuminate practices of integrity, humility, and hope. We believe this theme will resonate deeply with students, alumni, pastors, and church leaders alike. 

Theology That Matters

Psalm 1 speaks of the one who delights in the law of the Lord, who meditates on it day and night. At North Park, we believe that this meditation includes rigorous, communal, Spirit-led interpretation—and that such work must be for the church. 

In a time of both crisis and possibility, the Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture remains one of the ways we stay rooted in God’s Word while reaching toward the needs of the world. 

So, we invite you to listen, learn, and join the conversation.