NT and Early Christianity Online: Can I Do It?

At various points throughout the life of this blog, I've attempted to compose regular posts describing and responding to various courses in which I've been enrolled... and if these attempts were graded, each would necessarily receive an "Incomplete." The semester gets busier and busier... projects, proposals, and reading assignments pile up... and blogging of any kind seems to fall by the wayside. Nevertheless, memories of these past failures have not deterred me from a new project: to post my notes from my current teaching assignment (assisting Prof. Harry Gamble in his lecture course, Introduction to the New Testament and Early Christianity). To those of you back at dear old Christ Church United Methodist in Louisville who were asking about how to better grasp the historical context of Jesus and the earliest Christian movements: see if these resources whet your appetite! My first set of lecture notes may be viewed below:

RELC 122 Notes: 1/21

Enjoy... and wish me luck! ;-)

More RBL Highlights... Plus, New RBL Blog!

Although I'll continue to post selections from the Review of Biblical Literature as I receive them via e-mail, I've also added the newly created blog (http://rblnewsletter.blogspot.com/) to the blogroll. One interesting feature of the latter resource is that the comments feature is currently enabled, allowing viewers to add their own musings regarding the included books and reviews. I have a feeling, however, that this arrangement for long... I can see some nasty exchanges erupting there.

James W. Aageson
Paul, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Early Church
Reviewed by David J. Downs

Bruce Chilton, ed.
The Cambridge Companion to the Bible
Reviewed by Douglas Estes

Naomi G. Cohen
Philo's Scriptures: Citations from the Prophets and Writings: Evidence for a Haftarah Cycle in Second Temple Judaism
Reviewed by Torrey Seland

James D. G. Dunn
The New Perspective on Paul
Reviewed by J. R. Daniel Kirk

Paul Rhodes Eddy and Gregory A. Boyd
The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic Jesus Tradition
Reviewed by Ken Olson

Robert C. Hill, translation with introduction and commentary; Greek text revised by John F. Petruccione
Theodoret of Cyrus: The Questions of the Octateuch, Volume 1: On Genesis and Exodus
Reviewed by Randall L. McKinion

Robert C. Hill, translation with introduction and commentary; Greek text revised by John F. Petruccione
Theodoret of Cyrus: The Questions on the Octateuch, Volume 2: On Levitcus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
Reviewed by Randall L. McKinion

Jerome Murphy-O'Connor
St. Paul's Ephesus: Texts and Archaeology
Reviewed by Jonathan L. Reed

Kuo-Wei Peng
Hate the Evil, Hold Fast to the Good: Structuring Romans 12.1-15.1
Reviewed by Carl N. Toney

Leonard J. Swidler
Jesus Was a Feminist: What the Gospels Reveal about His Revolutionary Perspective
Reviewed by Eve-Marie Becker
Reviewed by Kathleen E. Corley

RBL Highlights: 1/22/09

Selections from the most recent edition of the Review of Biblical Literature:

Dwayne H. Adams
The Sinner in Luke
Reviewed by Bruce Chilton
Reviewed by I. Howard Marshall

Diane Banks
Writing the History of Israel
Reviewed by Susanne Scholz

Wesley J. Bergen and Armin Siedlecki, eds.
Voyages in Uncharted Waters: Essays on the Theory and Practice of Biblical Interpretation in Honor of David Jobling
Reviewed by James West

William Sanger Campbell
The "We" Passages in the Acts of the Apostles: The Narrator as Narrative Character
Reviewed by Deborah Prince

Philip R. Davies
The Origins of Biblical Israel
Reviewed by K. L. Noll
Reviewed by Thomas L. Thompson

Clemens Leonhard
The Jewish Pesach and the Origins of the Christian Easter: Open Questions in Current Research
Reviewed by Jeffrey L. Morrow

Victor H. Matthews
Studying the Ancient Israelites: A Guide to Sources and Methods
Reviewed by Trent Butler

Wayne A. Meeks and John T. Fitzgerald, eds.
The Writings of St. Paul: Annotated Texts, Reception and Criticism
Reviewed by V. George Shillington

Hyung Dae Park
Finding Herem? A Study of Luke-Acts in the Light of Herem
Reviewed by Darin H. Land

John Riches
Galatians through the Centuries
Reviewed by John Dunnill
Reviewed by Martin Meiser

Todd D. Still, ed.
Jesus and Paul Reconnected: Fresh Pathways into an Old Debate
Reviewed by Otis Coutsoumpos

Paul Trebilco
The Early Christians in Ephesus from Paul to Ignatius
Reviewed by Markus Oehler

Unbelievable

Thanks to April DeConick and Nick Norelli for pointing me in the direction of this new program, available via radio or podcast, which brings believers and non-believers together to explore contentious questions related to Christian history and theology. (I'm listening to a discussion of Christian origins between Michael Bird and James Crossley as I write this post.)

Learn more about the program, and access the archive of previous broadcasts, here.

Kent Richards to Retire

Although he will remain on the job for another eighteen months, Kent Richards has announced his impending retirement as the Executive Director of the Society of Biblical Literature. I'm sure that I speak for many SBL members when I wish him the best.

Dear SBL Members,

I am writing on behalf of the SBL Council to announce to the Society membership the decision of Kent Richards to retire as Executive Director of the Society of Biblical Literature effective June 30, 2010. It is with regret that we contemplate the end of his time in leadership of the Society, but we wish to face the necessary transitions ahead in a spirit of celebration for the many contributions Kent has made to leave a strengthened and vigorous Society as his legacy.

Under his leadership the program of the Annual Meeting has expanded and diversified; the International Meeting has become a major forum of global biblical scholarship; the membership has grown; the Society has strengthened its reputation as a major and respected publisher; the Society has played a leading role in the American Council of Learned Societies; a major initiative on teaching Bible in the public schools has been developed; an outstanding staff team has been recruited and organized; and the Society has enjoyed financial stability, strong fiscal management, and excellent administrative leadership. Especially noteworthy has been Kent’s steady hand, discerning judgment and wise council in the difficult circumstances of the unanticipated withdrawal of the AAR from joint sponsorship of the Annual Meeting. The unqualified success of the first SBL Annual Meeting held recently in Boston independent from the AAR is in no small measure a testimony to Kent’s leadership in this period. If, as seems likely, some new relationship with the AAR in future Annual Meetings becomes a reality, this too will reflect Kent’s careful guidance through difficult issues and circumstances. It is hard to imagine how the Society could have been served any better by its Executive Director during this unusual period.

I have no doubt that the next year and a half will see many opportunities to recognize and celebrate Kent Richards’ contributions to the Society of Biblical Literature, but I have chosen to begin that celebration now by soliciting several comments from colleagues who have worked closely with Kent during his tenure as Executive Director.

"Kent Richards has provided extraordinary leadership for the Society of Biblical Literature. An energetic visionary, he has also provided a steady hand in the administration of the Society in challenging circumstances. We wish him well in retirement." Harold Attridge, Yale University.

"Kent Richards has successfully envisioned and shaped a future for the society that makes possible the richest forms of interdisciplinary conversation. The number and variety of programs at the annual and international meetings are a testament to his understanding of the diverse scholarly, professional, and religious communities of our contemporary world. He has led the society in connecting the world of information technology with the work of biblical research. Having brought to his work the background and perspective of a biblical scholar and teacher, he knows the value of collegiality and has operated as a trusted and valued colleague even as he has performed the many intricate and difficult tasks of managerial leadership. Kent has been a visionary, innovative, and steady leader who has richly prepared the Society for its work in the 21st century." Brian Blount, Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.

"Kent Richards has provided visionary leadership during a formative period of the Society. SBL is now the envy of many ACLS organizations, what with its vigorous meetings and publication program." David Petersen, Emory University.

"Kent’s vision for the future of biblical studies, his willingness to do the work necessary to move us toward that vision, his attention to detail, and his gracious and hospitable leadership style have been marvelous gifts to the Society. We owe him a particular debt of thanks for working to increase the visibility of scholarship by underrepresented constituencies across the globe." Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, Princeton Theological Seminary.

A search committee for Kent’s successor has been named and will be announced in the near future. A position announcement and statement on the search process will be posted soon on the SBL website and circulated widely. Please watch for these important announcements. We are grateful that Kent Richards has given us a strong, healthy and productive professional society through his leadership. That in itself will help make the transition to a new leadership a smooth one.

Sincerely,

Bruce C. Birch
Chair, SBL Council

From Dove: Limited Markdowns On Sale Through Saturday

Check out nearly 600 titles offered at significant discounts (sometimes as large as 80%). For every four books purchased, buyers receive a fifth (of equal or lesser value) at no charge. I haven't examined the entire list, but I did see a number of worthwhile bargains on the first few pages, including Jodi Magness' The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls and volumes from the Anchor Yale Bible, Hermeneia, and Word Biblical Commentary series.

The available titles may be viewed here.

Call for Papers: Sixth Annual Duke/UNC Islamic Studies Conference

For any interested Islamicists out there:

6th Annual Duke-UNC-CH Graduate Islamic Studies Conference

The Departments of Religion at Duke University and the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are now
accepting papers for inclusion in their Sixth Annual
Graduate Islamic Studies Conference.

Negotiating Multiple Islams: Societies, Traditions, and
Cultures in Context

April 4-5 2009

Global Education Center, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mohsen Kadivar, Visiting Professor,
University of Virginia

Dr. Mohsen Kadivar studied in the Qom Seminaries in Iran
and obtained his ijtihad certificate in religious knowledge
from Ayatollah Montazeri in 1996. In 1998 he completed his
PhD in Western and Islamic Philosophy, with a focus on
Transcendental Philosophy, from Tarbiyat Modarres
University. He has penned 11 books and over 50 articles in
philosophy, Islamic theology, Shi'i political and
jurisprudential thought, and Islamic law. Among his best
known books are Theories of Government in Shi'i Fiqh and
Government by Guardianship (hokumat-e vela'i)
(www.kadivar.com).

Respondents:

Dr. Anna Bigelow, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and
Religion, North Carolina State University (tentative)

Dr. Carl Ernst, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Religious
Studies, UNC

Dr. Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Islamic Studies, Duke

Dr. Omid Safi, Professor of Religious Studies, UNC

Negotiating Multiple Islams:

The study of Islam today has moved well beyond early
Orientalist assumptions of seeing it as a monolithic
religious entity. Static and reductionist categories have
been replaced in order to account for the dynamic and
"lived" aspects of Islam, bringing into focus its multiple
interpretations and manifestations that transcend cultural
boundaries. "Lived Islam" includes the variety of ways that
Muslims express their devotion to Islam in both
intellectual and "popular" traditions, through text and
performance. It also brings into view the different ways
that Muslims approach their religious texts, and the
interpretive moves they make between theory and praxis.

The theme of our conference, "Negotiating Multiple Islams,"
is aimed specifically at generating discussion on how
scholars that speak of Islam in its different contexts and
its lived aspects respond to the issues that accompany such
an approach. Some of the questions we seek to address are:
How are competing forces of heterogeneity and homogeneity
reconciled in the context of a global Islam? And
methodologically, what impact does an emphasis on lived
aspects of Islam have on the interpretation of historical
sources? Also, which voices are included and/or excluded
through these approaches? How can scholars of Islam and
Muslim societies reconcile the commonly-presented vision of
Islam as stagnant and rigid with the many vibrant
adaptations of Islam being practiced? How does the
acknowledgment of the diversity of expressions address
questions of normativity and authority? Does the notion of
"multiple Islams" subvert Muslim self-representations of
Islam as transcendent, crossing time and place?

For this year's conference, we encourage papers that
explore these questions and seek to contextualize the
societies, cultures, and traditions in which they occur. We
welcome topics that cover a wide range of issues and
incorporate a variety of methodologies and approaches ?
textual, anthropological, sociological, critical
theoretical, and historical, among others. In addition to
formal papers, we also welcome multimedia presentations,
such as student-produced films, that are related to the
theme of the conference.

Possible themes for paper topics include (but are not
limited to):

* lived Islam in urban and rural environments

* critical responses to tradition and authority

* revival and reform movements and the notion of
multiple modernities

* popular and vernacular Islam in current and
historical contexts

* construction of competing identities

* Islamic art and architecture

* pluralistic ethics and Islam

* living and engaging sacred texts

* multiple interpretive authorities and local traditions

* Muslim women as scholars and leaders

* between Islamic law (Shari'ah) and jurisprudence
(fiqh) in local and transnational contexts

As a hallmark of the Duke-UNC Islamic Studies Conference we
will provide opportunity for interactive, deliberative, and
inter-disciplinary engagement with scholarly work in
progress by setting this gathering in an intimate workshop
format. We expect that those invited to present papers will
remain for the duration of the conference in order to
engage the other participants in a true exchange of ideas.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days and a
formal dinner will be held on Saturday night.

Limited financial assistance to cover travel expenses may
be available to those who demonstrate financial need and
are not receiving funding from their home institutions.

To apply, please send the following to
DukeUNCconf@gmail.com

* paper title

* proposal of no more than 500 words

* CV

* brief biographical sketch

The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2009.

Organizers:

Department of Religious Studies UNC-Chapel Hill

Rose Aslan

Tehseen Thaver

Department of Sociology, UNC-Chapel Hill

Aseem Hasnain

Department of Religion, Duke University

Susan Langford

Dan Holodnik

Erik Norell

Nate Schick

The Study of Religion in Five Acts: A Proposal

One of the principal requirements for last semester's methodology seminar was the formulation and construction of a syllabus for an undergraduate theory course of our own. It was a surprisingly rigorous assignment (I have a greatly increased respect for all you professors out there!), but ultimately I was pretty pleased with my efforts. Check out my prospective syllabus here:

REL 350: The Study of Religion in Five Acts

From Dove: Baker and Fortress Titles on Sale

For a limited time, selected titles are 20% off. Check them out here.

Recent RBL Highlights

From the last couple editions of the Review of Biblical Literature:

Paul Foster, ed.
The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Reviewed by Taras Khomych

Robert P. Gordon
The God of Israel
Reviewed by Ben C. Ollenburger

Christiana de Groot and Marion Ann Taylor, eds.
Recovering Nineteenth-Century Women Interpreters of the Bible
Reviewed by Caryn A. Reeder

Hans-Josef Klauck
Ancient Letters and the New Testament: A Guide to Context and Exegesis
Reviewed by Matthew D. Montonini

Nikolaos Lazaridis
Wisdom in Loose Form: The Language of Egyptian and Greek Proverbs in Collections of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods
Reviewed by John S. Kloppenborg

Ilana Pardes
Melville's Bibles
Reviewed by Mark Elliott

Peter M. Phillips
The Prologue to the Fourth Gospel: A Sequential Reading
Reviewed by John Painter

Christopher R. Seitz
Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets
Reviewed by Julia M. O'Brien

Hagith Sivan
Between Woman, Man and God: A New Interpretation of the Ten Commandments
Reviewed by William Marderness

J. Samuel Subramanian
The Synoptic Gospels and the Psalms as Prophecy
Reviewed by Thomas J. Kraus
Reviewed by Edward J. Mills III

Sigve K. Tonstad
Saving God's Reputation: The Theological Function of Pistis Iesou in the Cosmic Narratives of Revelation
Reviewed by Tobias Nicklas

Ben Witherington III
The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles
Reviewed by Timothy Gombis

Hector Avalos
Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence
Reviewed by J. Harold Ellens

Bob Becking
From David to Gedaliah: The Book of Kings as Story and History
Reviewed by Marvin A. Sweeney

Jason Beduhn and Paul Mirecki, eds.
Frontiers of Faith: The Christian Encounter with Manichaeism in the Acts of Archelaus
Reviewed by Tobias Nicklas

Roland Boer, ed.
Bakhtin and Genre Theory in Biblical Studies
Reviewed by Timothy J. Sandoval

Stephen K. Catto
Reconstructing the First-Century Synagogue: A Critical Analysis of Current Research
Reviewed by Birger Olsson
Reviewed by Jonathan Bernier

Nicola Denzey
The Bone Gatherers: The Lost Worlds of Early Christian Women
Reviewed by Paul Dilley

Deborah L. Ellens
Women in the Sex Texts of Leviticus and Deuteronomy: A Comparative Conceptual Analysis
Reviewed by Naomi Steinberg

Richard A. Horsley
Scribes, Visionaries, and the Politics of Second Temple Judea
Reviewed by Lester L. Grabbe

David R. Nienhuis
Not by Paul Alone: The Formation of the Catholic Epistle Collection and the Christian Canon
Reviewed by Patrick J. Hartin

Matthew B. Schwartz and Kalman J. Kaplan
The Fruit of Her Hands: A Psychology of Biblical Woman
Reviewed by Corinne Blackmer

Jan G. van der Watt, ed.
Identity, Ethics, and Ethos in the New Testament
Reviewed by H. H. Drake Williams III

Vicki Flippin, This Is For You!

From the most recent edition of the UMC's Faith in Action newsletter... this really isn't just for Vicki (a particularly awesome classmate of mine from YDS). Any young clergy with some money left in their travel/professional development allotments should put this on their calendar!

Young Clergy Leadership Forum
Feb. 8-11 in Washington, D.C.
Fifth annual social justice forum for clergy ages 35 and under will be at United Methodist Building.

More Brill Reprints from SBL

A few interesting titles to choose from here (particularly Epp's anthology of text-critical essays, although the steep price probably means that I'm going to be checking this one out of Alderman Library):

Because You Bear This Name: Conceptual Metaphor and the Moral Meaning of 1 Peter
Bonnie Howe

Because You Bear This Name argues that conceptual metaphor, grounded in embodied human experience, makes possible a shared moral discourse between the New Testament writers and readers today. The book has three foci: It explains why traditional understandings of metaphor are inadequate, introduces conceptual metaphor theory and methodology, and deploys those methods to analyze the cultural logic, moral content, and ethical implications of 1 Peter.

Paper $49.95 — ISBN 9781589833838 — 448 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

Hebrews: Contemporary Methods—New Insights
Gabriella Gelardini, editor

This volume contains a collection of fourteen essays applying the latest and neglected methods and offering new and innovative insight into the interpretation of the New Testament book Hebrews. Part 1 focuses on cultic language, concepts, and practice in Hebrews; part 2 on sociology, ethics, and rhetoric in Hebrews; and part 3 on textual-historical, comparative, and intertextual approaches to Hebrews. This volume will particularly appeal to students, teachers, and scholars interested in a variety of critical perspectives on Hebrews and on the New Testament’s third great theologian next to Paul and John. Moreover, the treatment of hermeneutical, cultic, sociological, and comparative matters in the context of biblical, Greco-Roman, and rabbinic literature will make this collection valuable to an even broader readership.

Paper $37.95 — ISBN 9781589833869 — 304 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

The Body Royal: The Social Poetics of Kingship in Ancient Israel
Mark W. Hamilton

The present volume seeks to identify the underlying code of meanings about the Israelite king operating in various ways in texts and other artifacts surviving from the culture. The focus is upon the (living) body of the king, its anatomical characteristics, its constitution through ritual, and the conventions concerning its proper self-display by the king. Combining linguistic and historical-critical analysis of biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts, this book argues that the royal psalms contain a set of officially sanctioned notions about the royal body and its use. Other texts, often from circles outside the royal court, significantly altered these notions. The king’s body was thus for ancient Israelites the locus of reflection on power, gender, religion, and even international relations.

Paper $37.95 — ISBN 9781589833821 — 340 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

Perspectives on New Testament Textual Criticism: Collected Essays, 1962-2004
Eldon Jay Epp

This collection of frequently cited articles and chapters published from 1962 to 2004 provides perspective on the history and development of New Testament textual criticism, with descriptions and critique of the major text-critical theories and methods. Specific manuscripts and text-types such as the Codex Bezae and the D-text are discussed, as well as issues such as anti-Judaic tendencies, the ascension narratives, and the relationship of text and canon. Many of the essays from the last fifteen years emphasize the earliest period and papyrus manuscripts, particularly those found at Oxyrhynchus, and assess their socio-cultural and intellectual contexts, while articles from the last five years advocate or engage the more controversial aspects of current New Testament textual criticism, especially the issue of “original text.”

Paper $82.95 — ISBN 9781589833852 — 906 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

Salvation in the New Testament: Perspectives on Soteriology
Jan G. van der Watt, editor

Salvation deals with becoming part of the people of God. In Salvation in the New Testament special attention is given to the nature and power of the salvific language used in the New Testament to express the dynamics of salvation. Individual articles on the different books of the New Testament highlight the diverse perspectives offered in these documents. The emphasis especially falls on the different images and metaphors that were used to express the event and moment of salvation, rather than on the results (ethics or behavior) of salvation. An overview of the different perspectives on soteriology in the New Testament offers the opportunity to compare similarities and differences in concepts and expressions. It also illustrates the dynamic interaction between historical situations and salvific language and expression.

Paper $59.95 — ISBN 9781589833845 — 556 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

The Idea of Biblical Interpretation: Essays in Honor of James L. Kugel
Hindy Najman and Judith H. Newman, editors

The essays in this Festschrift honor James L. Kugel for his contribution to the field of biblical studies, in particular early biblical interpretation. The essays are organized in three roughly chronological categories. The first group treats some part of the Tanakh, ranging from the creation and Abraham stories of Genesis to the evolving conception of sacred writing in the prophetic literature. The second set of essays focuses chiefly on the literature of Second Temple Judaism, including Qumran and extrabiblical literature. The last group concerns the scriptural imagination at work in rabbinic literature, in Milton’s Paradise Lost, in the anti-Semitic work of Gerhard Kittel, up to the present in a treatment of Levinas and the Talmud.

Paper $65.95 — ISBN 9781589833876 — 624 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

Women in Ugarit and Israel: Their Social and Religious Position in the Context of the Ancient Near East
Hennie J. Marsman

In this volume the presupposition is investigated whether women in a polytheistic society had a better position than women in a monotheistic society. To this end the social and religious position of women in Ugarit according to its literary texts is compared to that of women in Israel according to the Hebrew Bible, while the wider context of the ancient Near East is also taken into consideration. After an overview of feminist biblical exegesis, the book discusses the roles of women in the family and in society. It also provides an analysis of the roles of women as religious specialists and as worshippers. Finally, the data on the position of women in the literary texts is compared to that in non-literary texts.

Paper $79.95 – ISBN 9781589833883 – 792 pages — Hardback edition www.brill.nl

New from Routledge/Talyor & Francis: Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus

Courtesy of Dove Booksellers, who are currently offering this title at a slight discount (although at these prices, I will be holding out for the paperback version, despite the fact that this is one of my absolute favorite subjects):

Featured Title

Evans, Craig A (ed) Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus
(Routledge/Taylor & Francis, 2008)
Hardcover List: $190.00 Dove Price: $169.99
Save $20.01 (11%)

This Encyclopedia brings together the vast array of historical research into the reality of the man, the teachings, the acts, and the events ascribed to him that have served as the foundational story of one of the world's central religions. This kind of historiography is not biography. The historical study of the Jesus stories and the transmission of these stories through time have been of seminal importance to historians of religion. Critical historical examination has provided a way for scholars of Christianity for centuries to analyze the roots of legend and religion in a way that allows scholars an escape from the confines of dogma, belief, and theological interpretation. In recent years, historical Jesus studies have opened up important discussions concerning anti-Semitism and early Christianity and the political and ideological filtering of the Jesus story of early Christianity through the Roman empire and beyond.

Entries will cover the classical studies that initiated the new historiography, the theoretical discussions about authenticating the historical record, the examination of sources that have led to the western understanding of Jesus' teachings and disseminated myth of the events concerning Jesus' birth and death.

Subject areas include:
- The history of the historical study of the New Testament: major contributors and their works
- Theoretical issues and concepts
- Methodologies and criteria
- Historical genres and rhetorical styles in the story of Jesus
- Historical and rhetorical context of martyrdom and messianism
- Historical teachings of Jesus
- Teachings within historical context of ethics
- Titles of Jesus
- Historical events in the life of Jesus
- Historical figures in the life of Jesus
- Historical use of Biblical figures referenced in the Gospels
- Places and regions
- Institutions
- The history of the New Testament within the culture, politics, and law of the Roman Empire

Have No Fear...

The semester's nearly over, which means that all of the fun activities which have fallen by the wayside for the sake of academia (including this blog) will rise again soon! Look for some much-needed updates and comments over the next few days.

RBL Highlights: 11/17/08

Highlights from the most recent Review of Biblical Literature:

Hector Avalos
The End of Biblical Studies
Reviewed by Ulrich H. J. Körtner

Ward Blanton
Displacing Christian Origins: Philosophy, Secularity, and the New Testament
Reviewed by Clare K. Rothschild

Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan
The Last Week: A Day-by-Day Account of Jesus's Final Week in Jerusalem
Reviewed by Craig L. Blomberg

Katherine J. Dell
Opening the Old Testament
Reviewed by Bill T. Arnold
Reviewed by George Heider

Brad E. Kelle and Megan Bishop Moore
Israel's Prophets and Israel's Past: Essays on the Relationship of Prophetic Texts and Israelite History in Honor of John H. Hayes
Reviewed by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

Jens Kreinath, Jan Snoek, and Michael Stausberg, eds.
Theorizing Rituals: Issues, Topics, Approaches, Concepts, Annotated Bibliography
Reviewed by Brian B. Schmidt

Daniel A. Smith
The Post-Mortem Vindication of Jesus in the Sayings Gospel Q
Reviewed by William Arnal

Fred Strickert
Rachel Weeping: Jews, Christians, and Muslims at the Fortress Tomb
Reviewed by Samuel Thomas

Ben Zion Wacholder
The New Damascus Document: The Midrash on the Eschatological Torah of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Reconstruction, Translation and Commentary
Reviewed by Gregory L. Doudna

Jürgen Zangenberg, Harold W. Attridge, and Dale B. Martin, eds.
Religion, Ethnicity and Identity in Ancient Galilee: A Region in Transition
Reviewed by Christoph Stenschke

RBL Highlights: 11/9/08

Highlights from the most recent Review of Biblical Literature:

Kevin L. Anderson
'But God Raised Him from the Dead': The Theology of Jesus' Resurrection in Luke-Acts
Reviewed by Ron Clark

Paul Barnett
Paul: Missionary of Jesus
Reviewed by Don Garlington

Donald Capps
Jesus the Village Psychiatrist
Reviewed by Pieter F. Craffert

Robert R. Ellis
Learning to Read Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar
Reviewed by Max Rogland

Alec Gilmore
A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretation
Reviewed by Jan G. van der Watt

Andrew T. Lincoln and Angus Paddison, eds.
Christology and Scripture: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Reviewed by Mark Elliott

Theo A. W. van der Louw
Transformations in the Septuagint: Towards an Interaction of Septuagint Studies and Translation Studies
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton

Grant Macaskill
Revealed Wisdom and Inaugurated Eschatology in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity
Reviewed by Brian Han Gregg

Frank J. Matera
New Testament Theology: Exploring Diversity and Unity
Reviewed by Udo Schnelle

Alexander Samely
Forms of Rabbinic Literature and Thought: An Introduction
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Klyne R. Snodgrass
Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus
Reviewed by Ernest van Eck

Andrew Laird Lecture

Something to add to your calendar for next week:

The Department of Classics of the University of Virginia is pleased to
announce that Professor Andrew Laird (University of Warwick) will be
giving a lecture entitled "Par nullum Graecia numen habet: The role of
reception in Roman studies."

The lecture will take place at 5pm on Monday, 3 November 2008, in the
Gibson Room, Cocke Hall.

Andrew Laird’s principal areas of research are in Roman poetry and
prose narrative, but he also works on ancient criticism, literary
biography, and ideas of fiction – particularly in relation to modern
theory. His research on Latin extends to Renaissance Europe and
Spanish America: The Epic of America (London 2006) highlights
connections between Latin writing and indigenous knowledge in colonial
Mexico. Other books include Powers of Expression, Expressions of
Power: Speech Presentation and Latin Literature (Oxford 1999) and A
Companion to the Prologue of Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (Oxford 2001).

Latest from UMC Board of Church and Society

More recent news from Washington, DC:

Word from Winkler
The gray areas
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society

Presidential candidates urged to stop divisive rhetoric
Council of Bishops sends letter
Bishop Palmer encourages prayer, further dissemination of message to focus on important issues

Fearfully and wonderfully made
A glimpse of women and abuse in Kenya
By Linda Bales, Director, Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project, General Board of Church & Society

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

An invitation to observe U.N. Sunday
Oct. 26
By The Rev. Liberato C. Bautista, Assistant General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
Roosevelt’s four points should inspire fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all humans.

'Obsession' called deplorable
DVD depicts ‘Radical Islam’s War Against the West’
By Bishop Bruce Ough, West Ohio Conference
Bishop calls United Methodists to denounce detestable “disingenuous distribution” of hate-filled material

Global Ministries to start 400 churches outside U.S.
400 Fund is Advance Special
Atlanta woman pledges $400,000 for developing new congregations

Study of Letter of James
Who is my neighbor?
Study sets forth the proposition that when we lack love for our neighbor, it hinders us from performing peaceable actions in the world and doing justice to others.

Free abolish death penalty resource
Designed to educate, mobilize faith communities
CD-ROM offered to persons who will share their plans for its use

Conference call on abolishing torture Oct. 21
Ohio conference on taking the church into the world
2 events can help mobilize your efforts on civil and human rights

On hard times
‘Some good comes from every situation, regardless of how bad it seems at the time.’
—Richard B. Hearne (North Texas Conference)

From the Monastic Age to the Digital Age

Courtesy of the New York Times (via my father, who should probably be working rather than reading about medieval manuscripts):

Bringing a Trove of Medieval Manuscripts Online for the Ages
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
The Stiftsbibliothek — literally, the abbey library — in St. Gallen, Switzerland, will digitize and post its collection with the help of a $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

FSU Graduate Symposium

For all you graduate students out there:

The Florida State University Department of Religion is pleased to announce its eighth annual Graduate Student Symposium, to be held February 20-22; 2009.Graduate students are invited to submit proposals that engage this year's theme, "Identity, boundaries and movement in religion". Topics may include but are not limited to: mirroring, migration of ideas and peoples, pilgrimage, polemics, and inter-religious dialogue. Other papers relevant to the study of religion are welcome under an open call.


Submissions are encouraged from all graduate students in religion or other fields with interdisciplinary interest in the study of religion. We welcome a variety of approaches, with particular interests in papers pertaining to the following subfields: 1) Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy; 2) American Religious History; 3) Religions of Asia; 4) Religions of Western Antiquity. Presentations should be approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length and will have faculty responses at the conclusion of the panel. An award will be given for the best paper.

Submission of an abstract (roughly 300 words) is required for review. Abstracts must be accompanied by a CV.

Proposals should be sent by e-mail to Lauren Gray at fsureligionsymposium@gmail.com.

The deadline for proposal submission is December 1, 2008. Final papers should be submitted by January 15, 2009.

Last year's conference was a great success. More than 50 papers from across the nation and several European countries were presented, and we look forward to hosting an equal if not larger number this year.

The conference is not limited to papers, as we screen a film relating to the conference theme each year. Additionally, a keynote speaker will be brought in to address the conference theme. In keeping with the spirit of hospitality, several meals are provided throughout the course of the conference.