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Overview The lecture explores Nowruz as a theological framework for Persian Christian identity and covenant renewal. Rooted in themes of rebirth, reconciliation, and cosmic balance, Nowruz provides a meaningful bridge between Persian cultural heritage and Christian theology. This lecture examines how Nowruz’s rituals resonate with biblical themes of creation, renewal, resurrection, and covenant restoration.
Speaker Sara Afshari
About the speaker Originally from Iran, Dr. Sara Afshari is Research Tutor at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. She is currently the Admissions Tutor. She received her PhD from Edinburgh University in Media Religion and Culture. She is co-founder and former Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, a Christian television channel in Farsi/Persian language. She has MTh in World Christianity from Edinburgh University and an MA in Media Communication from Wales University. Her recent book is titled: Religion, Media and Conversion in Iran: mediated Christianity in an Islamic Context.
Understanding contextualisation of religious conversion through the study of the deconversion process of converts
Overview Sara Afshari explores the deconversion process of converts from a Muslim background: Deconversion, or leaving one’s religion, provides insights into the challenges and obstacles faced by converts before, during, and after their conversion to Christianity:
Speaker Sara Afshari
About the speaker Originally from Iran, Dr. Sara Afshari is Research Tutor at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. She received her PhD from Edinburgh University in Media Religion and Culture. She is co-founder and former Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, a Christian television channel in Farsi/Persian language. She has MTh in World Christianity from Edinburgh University and an MA in Media Communication from Wales University. Her recent book is titled: Religion, Media and Conversion in Iran: mediated Christianity in an Islamic Context.
Overview This lecture investigates ways that the integration of innovative mission research and transformative learning theory contribute to and enhance societal engagement and transformation of mission, using OCMS PhD students’ journeys as case study.
Speaker Sara Afshari & Anne Moseley
About the speaker Dr Sara Afshari is Research Tutor at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. She received her PhD from Edinburgh University in Media Religion and Culture. She is co-founder and former Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, a Christian television channel in Farsi/Persian language. Her recent book is titled: Religion, Media and Conversion in Iran: mediated Christianity in an Islamic Context. Dr Anne Moseley is an experienced educational researcher who has been working for the last 10 years in the areas of religious education and intercultural learning. She has been a primary school practitioner teaching across the curriculum from reception through to Y6 pupils for over 20 years. Anne is currently developing practical teaching resources in collaboration with the Rose Castle Foundation drawing on the findings that came out of her PhD research. The material is based on an age appropriate adaptation of Scriptural Reasoning principles and current religious education pedagogic principles.