The Conference on Faith and History (CFH) was chartered fifty years ago to uphold, study, and improve the complex relationship between Christian faith and the discipline of history. The organization explores how Christian faith in all its manifestations (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) plays a role in the lives of individuals as professionals, writers, teachers, and colleagues. Members work at large public universities, Christian liberal arts colleges, museums, historical sites, libraries, publishing houses, churches, and K-12 schools.
In October 2018, the CFH will gather at Calvin College, one of the organization’s earliest sponsoring institutions, to reflect on a theme that has been at the heart of the CFH since its birth: “History and the Search for Meaning.” The event will consider how the study of the past—in all its fullness and complexity—might bring meaning within the institutions, neighborhoods, classrooms, and congregations of today, and how it might promote health and stability for democracy in an ever-shrinking and even more dangerous world.
Attendance at the Conference is open to anyone interested in the intersection of religion and history.
The event includes panels on a wide variety of topics, as well as plenary sessions by prominent thinkers and practitioners. In addition, undergraduate students are invited to present papers at the event on October 4, as well as to attend the remainder of the conference. The registration fee is $180 ($115 undergraduate student rate).
The 31st Biennial Meeting of the Conference on Faith & History
Oct. 4-6, 2018
Register for the Faith & History Conference (registration closes at noon on September 25)
See the Program
The Conference on Faith and History will hold its 31st biennial meeting from October 4-6, 2018, at the Prince Conference Center on the campus of Calvin College. The event provides opportunities to present current research, to foster personal and professional networks and collaboration, and to learn about research opportunities in the field. Attendance is open to anyone interested in the intersection of religion and history. With the meeting being held in Grand Rapids, participants have the opportunity to experience a region of the country that has become a hot-spot to visit, with a vibrant art scene, brewery culture, and lakeshore attractions, including the Art Prize, Grand Rapids' free, independently organized annual art festival. Overnight room blocks have been reserved for Symposium guests.
Themes and Special Events
The theme of the 2018 conference is “History and the Search for Meaning.” Papers and panel proposals that focus on the conference theme are preferred, but submissions on any historical topic will be considered. For more information, see the Call for Papers.
Past Programs
Find topics and speakers from previous conferences:
- 2016 (link to 2016 program)
- 2012 (link to 2012 program)
Conference on Faith & History Biennial Undergraduate Conference
Oct. 3-4, 2018
Register for the Conference (registration closes at noon on September 25)
See the Program
In conjunction with the Conference on Faith and History’s 31st biennial meeting, the biennial undergraduate event will begin with an evening reception and plenary speaker Jemar Tisby (President of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective) on October 3, with panel sessions dedicated to undergraduate papers and presentations on Thursday, October 4. The undergraduate portion is intended to offer students an opportunity to present their research and meet fellow scholars. Undergraduate students are invited to attend the event, regardless of whether they are presenting a paper at the Conference.
Special Tours during the Conference
On Friday, October 5, as part of the regular conference schedule, participants may elect to visit the Meeter Center and Heritage Hall at Calvin College. This is a free tour.
At the conclusion of the Conference on Saturday, October 6, a special trip to the Gerald Ford Museum in downtown Grand Rapids will be offered for an additional cost of $8.50 per person. Participation will be limited to the first 55 paid reservations received.
Additional information about the tours is available here. To register for either of these special activities, use the online form when you register for the conference, or you may request a reservation with Ellen Hekman and submit your Ford Museum trip reservation fee by check through regular mail (your place will be reserved when payment is received)