Jun 18, 2025 Print This Article

1,700 years later: Nicaea’s relevance explored at Theological Symposium

Registration now open

For 1,700 years, the Council of Nicaea has shaped Christian orthodoxy, offering a model for doctrine, discipline and relations between churches. Lutherans have long valued its insights, which remain relevant today. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will explore these enduring themes at the 35th Annual Theological Symposium, “Nicaea 1700,” to be held Sept. 16–17 on campus. Registration is now open.

“In the 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea met, its significance has not diminished. Nicaea set the pattern for how the church should address doctrinal division,” said Dr. Kevin Golden, associate professor of Exegetical Theology and dean of Theological Research and Publication. “Participants in Concordia Seminary’s 35th Annual Theological Symposium will learn anew from Nicaea. What does Nicaea teach us about conversations between differing Christian confessions? How does Nicaea form us to live as Christians? Why is Nicaea significant for laity? Answers to these questions and more will enrich participants.”

Symposium Highlights

Plenaries:

  • “Nicaea’s Paradigm Status for the Oecumenical Faith” presented by Dr. John McGuckin, Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in the Patriarchate of Romania’s Western-European Archdiocese; Professor of Theology at Oxford University, Wellington Square, Oxford; and Nielsen Professor Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary, New York, N.Y. and Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
  • “We Believe: Confessing and Experiencing the Nicene Creed” presented by Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor of Historical Theology, Dean of Advanced Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.
  • “Where True Joys are Found: The Desire of Our Hearts, the Relevance of the Nicene Creed and Our Lord Jesus Christ” presented by Dr. Todd Hains, Associate Publisher, Acquisitions and Development, Lexham Press, Bellingham, Wash.

10th Annual Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Lecture in New Testament Theology

  • The 10th annual Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Lecture will be offered at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, Sept. 16.

St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Game

For those interested, a Sept. 15 Cardinals baseball game, sponsored by the LCMS Foundation, is available with limited seating. Sign up is available on the registration webpage.

Registration

General registration is $190 (meals not included; available for additional purchase during registration). The registration deadline is Sept. 2.

Concordia Seminary faculty and students may attend free of charge but must pre-register. For more information and updates, visit csl.edu/symposium or contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or [email protected].

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.