TSTSpring Conference on the theme“Theology, Conflict, Violence, and Peacebuilding”took place onMay 3, 2025, atSt. Michael’s College. Two MTS students,Shelly JordanandMariia Smyrnova, were presenters.
Shelly talked about howdisability theologyreminds us that, in our attempts to grapple with the problem of evil, when we get distracted and focus on the wrong things, when we try to shirk the blame for the human input into sin, and when we forget that our theologizing has consequences, we can end up championing theories and ideas that only manage to create oppression and do violence against those least able to fight back.
Mariia's topic was"Why we need Post-Mariupol Theology: Confronting the ideologies that justify genocide."Among other problems, Mariia mentionedthe faith and church crisis many Ukrainians struggle with,the quasi-religious practices implemented in occupied Donbass, and the Russian church's political theology that has profound consequences on Ukrainian Orthodox communities, dividing and destabilizing religious identities within Ukraine. Some core themes ofpost-wartheology that would advocate for a return to core Christian principles of peace, justice, and non-violence were offered.
