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Telos Bible & Theology Conference
OCTOBER 9-10, 2026
JACKSONVILLE, FL
Fourth Annual Telos Conference & Twentieth Year in Jacksonville
Redeemed & Restored:
The Jubilee in Biblical-Theological Perspective
The Telos Bible and Theology Conference brings together scholars, pastors, leaders, and laypeople in the greater Jacksonville area to engage robust and accessible theological learning. Hosted by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and its faculty, Telos explores key topics in biblical studies and theology to cultivate Christian maturation across the whole Church.
As Gordon-Conwell celebrates 20 years in Jacksonville, the October 9–10 conference will explore the theme of Jubilee. Join us as we dive into the riches of God’s Word together, reflecting on the Jubilee and God’s heart for bringing freedom to the captives and rest to the weary.
What is Jubilee?
Leviticus 25 instructs the Israelites to practice the year of Jubilee, which required that every 50 years all debts would be cancelled and land that had been sold would revert back to the original owners.
This unique practice ensured that once in every generation, Israelite society would have a “reset”, in which every person was released from the toil of their labors and burden of their debts to be reunited with family on their ancestral inheritance.
The Jubilee was a homecoming that served as a signpost of the coming redemption, when all creation would be released from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:21).
Jesus began his public ministry by announcing that the Jubilee had arrived in him: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). He came to release those in bondage to sin, restore them to the Father and secure for them their heavenly inheritance as redeemed children of God.
As his body, the Church is called to proclaim and embody that same Jubilee by bringing freedom to the captive and rest to the weary.
Speakers
Dr. Christine Palmer
Dr. David Palmer
Dr. Scott M. Gibson
About the Host
Dr. Justin Young
(MAOT ’14)
Dr. Young is Program Faculty (Old Testament) of Special Programs at Gordon-Conwell and an alumnus of the seminary. His research focuses on the covenant at Mount Sinai and the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 19–40. He also studies the Psalms, Biblical Theology, and ancient Near Eastern ritual. He teaches Biblical Hebrew and exegesis, and is coauthoring a commentary on Exodus for The Bible in God’s World series.
About the Conference
The conference is named after a Greek word (telos), meaning “end,” “consummation,” or “aim,” with a view toward encouraging believers to live today in light of the ultimate victory that has been secured in Christ. Join us as we delight in the great riches of the Scriptures together and rejoice in the gospel of our Triune God.
Previous Telos Highlights
Southpoint Community Church
7556 Salisbury Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32256
Dr. Scott M. Gibson
Dr. Gibson is a Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell. He is the author and editor of numerous books on preaching, including The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching, Preaching with a Plan, and Preaching Hope in Darkness, and has contributed to many volumes and journals. An ordained Baptist minister, he is a co-founder and past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. His interests include contemporary issues in preaching, discipleship, pastoral ministry, and the history of preaching and evangelicalism.
Dr. Christine Palmer (MAOT ’99)
Dr. Palmer is adjunct professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell. She is dedicated to helping others encounter the Lord through his Word. She teaches courses on Hebrew exegesis and biblical theology and leads global archaeological study tours. She authored ESV Expository Commentary: Leviticus and has contributed articles on Israelite religion and culture in other major publications.
Dr. David Palmer (MDiv ’97)
Dr. Palmer is adjunct professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell. A pastor-scholar with a deep love for the Church, he has pastored at Kenwood Baptist Church for over two decades and has been blessed to participate in missions across the globe. He is the author of Casket Empty: God’s Plan of Redemption through History and contributed to thirty articles in the Archaeological Study Bible.