Greenville University to host Jewish-Christian conference

Published: September 03, 2024

Author: Dave Bell

A decade ago, Aubrey McClain was in Jerusalem, studying for an advanced theology degree. Through that experience, she gained an appreciation for the Jewish people, their culture, and their history.

Then, last fall, she was back in Jerusalem – this time, on a sabbatical from her role as an associate professor of theology at Greenville University – when Hamas troops launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The Israeli military response has created a wave of antisemitism, hate speech, and protests from detractors across the United States.

“When the conflict started, I knew that I wanted to do something to help people back home think about the situation with greater nuance,” McClain said. “And I wanted our local Jewish community to see our support. I desire to facilitate a dialogue between Christians and Jews.”

Such a dialogue will be the centerpiece of a Jewish-Christian Relations Conference at Greenville University’s SMART Center on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 26-28. She’s hoping that students and faculty members from GU and other Free Methodist universities around the nation will participate.

“As Christian institutions of higher education, it is our privilege to teach students to think critically, reflect deeply, and cultivate mature Cristian character,” McClain said. “In a divisive time, we have a unique opportunity to embody neighborly love by modeling authentic dialogue and collaborative problem-solving with the Jewish community. By addressing the historic divisions and the current issues, we can help our students become thoughtful leaders during a tumultuous time. We hope it both enriches their faith and deepens their theological reflection.”

The event will be hosted by McClain, the Shapiro Chair of Jewish Christian Studies at GU, and Rori Picker Neiss, the senior vice president for community relations of the New York City-based Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Other speakers are being sought from Jewish communities throughout the nation, particularly those near other Free Methodist colleges. The event begins with a dessert reception at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Friday sessions begin at 9 a.m. and run through 8 p.m., while Saturday sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Topics will include Jewish life and culture, Bible study, antisemitism, Zionism, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and strategies to encourage meaningful dialogues between Christians and Jews.

McClain said the conference will address the current war between Israel and Hamas, but will focus on “how the Jewish faith, life, and practice can serve as a useful opportunity for experiential education for our students.” She added: “We hope our students will develop a more mature Christian faith by learning about Christianity’s historic relationship to Judaism and by learning to be good neighbors.”

For more information, contact conference officials at: Jewish-Christian.Studies@greenville.edu