Karam Forum (an Oikonomia Network event) is a two-day gathering for theological educators and Christian academics. Leading Bible and theology scholars will help you train a new generation of Christians who follow King Jesus by loving their neighbors in their daily tasks. Faithful discipleship to Christ involves working every day in homes, workplaces, and communities to help God’s world flourish. See our event website for more details.
Karam Forum 2021 has become an all-digital event, taking place Tuesday, January 5. Instead of our usual two-day, in-person gathering we will spend half a day together collaborating from our home bases. Mark Labberton, John Nunes, Darrell Bock and more will focus on how theological education can seize the present moment to thrive in the coming century. See the announcement here and watch our newsletter (subscribe here) for more information as it becomes available.
Karam, the Hebrew verb meaning “to tend vineyards,” communicates the vast range of work that goes into creating a healthy and flourishing vineyard. Vineyards need tending – bearing fruit, flourishing, requires careful and creative work.
Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is described as a vineyard, a people planted and tended by God. The gleaning laws require that vineyards be places where people of all social stations have the opportunity to flourish interdependently, through a combination of generosity and diligent work. Most important to us is our Lord’s uses of the vineyard image. In particular, Christ said that he was the vine and we were his branches. This image sums up the Oikonomia Network’s commitment to whole-life discipleship as the root of all we do.
Blasts from the Karam Forum Past
Check out our photo gallery from Karam Forum 2020 and see our Past Events page to view talks from all our previous meetings!
