The British New Testament Society 2018 Meeting Call for Papers

Dear colleagues,

The Call for Papers for this year’s British New Testament Conference is now open. The conference will be taking place at St Mary’s University, Twickenham (London), Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 September 2018.

The Call for Papers for each session is below. Proposals of not more than 300 words should be sent directly to the Seminar Chairs by Friday 20 April 2018. Please direct any enquiries about the call directly to the relevant seminar chairs and not to me.

Proposals for the Simultaneous Short Papers should be sent to me on steve.walton@cantab.net, and not to this address.

We very much look forward to seeing you in Twickenham in September.

Best wishes,

Steve

Professor Steve Walton
Secretary, British New Testament Society

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CALL FOR PAPERS: BRITISH NEW TESTAMENT CONFERENCE 2018
St Mary’s University, Twickenham (London), 6-8 September 2018

Proposals for papers are invited for the British New Testament Conference 2018 to be held in Twickenham, London from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 September. Paper proposals with a title and an abstract of not more than 300 words should be sent directly to the relevant Seminar chairs by Friday 20 April 2018. Proposals for the Simultaneous Short Paper session should be sent to the Secretary, Professor Steve Walton (steve.walton@cantab.net). Specific seminar contact details and calls for papers are below.

The Book of Acts
Sean Adams (sean.adams@glasgow.ac.uk)
Matthew Sleeman (matthews@oakhill.ac.uk) We welcome seminar papers approaching Acts from a variety of angles and using a variety of methods: historical, literary, textual-critical, theological, archaeological, the social world, possible links/parallels with other biblical and ancient writings, and so on. We also include topics for discussion which relate Acts to the wider contexts of Luke-Acts and the Pauline corpus, where they are relevant and helpful to the study of Acts. Offers of papers are welcome both from research students (this is a great opportunity to ‘try out’ your ideas) and from more established scholars.

The Acts and Synoptic Gospels seminar groups are happy to announce that they will be having a joint session as one of our three sessions scheduled for the 2018 Conference. In light of this collaboration, we are particularly interested in receiving paper proposals that engage with the theme of rhetoric in Luke-Acts. If you are interested in offering a paper for this joint session, please email either the co-chairs of the Synoptic Gospels or Acts groups. Papers may require a full seminar session for discussion (90 minutes) or take half a session (45 minutes).
We make papers available on the British New Testament Society web site a few weeks before the conference so that seminar members can read them in advance. At the seminar, the paper’s author presents a 10-15 minute summary before discussion, in order to maximise discussion time in the seminar.

Hebrews
David Moffitt (dm206@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Loveday Alexander ‎(l.c.alexander@sheffield.ac.uk)
Whilst papers on any topic relating to Hebrews will be considered, the Hebrews Group particularly invites proposals relating to the topic of the interpretation of the tabernacle (heavenly and/or earthly) in Hebrews.

Jesus
Helen Bond (h.bond@ed.ac.uk)
Justin Meggitt (jjm1000@cam.ac.uk)

Johannine Literature
Cornelis Bennema (cbennema@ust.ac.uk)
Andy Byers (a.j.byers@durham.ac.uk)
The Johannine Literature seminar invites papers on the Gospel of John and/or the Johannine Epistles. Offers of papers are welcome both from established scholars and from research students and the seminar provides an excellent opportunity for feedback from experts in the field.

Usually, one full session is dedicated to the discussion of a major paper by invitation. In the remaining two sessions, there is scope for four to five papers. Papers are normally 30 minutes, allowing time for questions and discussion, but shorter papers of 20 minutes are also welcome.

The Book of Revelation
Michelle Fletcher (michelle.fletcher@kcl.ac.uk)
Garrick Allen (garrick.allen@dcu.ie)

New Testament and Early Christianity
Dominika Kurek-Chomycz ‎(kurekcd@hope.ac.uk)
Francis Watson (francis.watson@dur.ac.uk)
The New Testament texts exist within the much broader phenomenon of early Christianity as a whole, and this seminar is concerned especially with aspects of the total phenomenon that go beyond the New Testament. These include non-canonical texts (e.g. the so-called Apostolic Fathers, New Testament Apocrypha, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in Christian usage, Nag Hammadi and associated literature, early patristic texts); and wider historical themes (e.g. orthodoxy and heresy, canon formation, gender, ritual, identity, martyrdom, social setting, material culture).

In 2018, we plan to hold: (1) an open session; (2) a thematic session on martyrdom; (3) an invited paper session on Jesus’ resurrection in the Epistula Apostolorum. For sessions (1) and (2) we invite paper proposals along the lines of the goals of the seminar. For all panels, the abstract should state the paper’s thesis and outline the approach that will be taken.

New Testament and Second Temple Judaism
Susan Docherty (S.E.Docherty@newman.ac.uk)
Matthew Novenson (matthew.novenson@ed.ac.uk)
For the 2018 meeting, we will have a session on current research on 1 Enoch (presenters including Sofanit Abebe and Elena Dugan), a review panel, held jointly with the Paul Seminar, on Jamie Davies’s Paul among the Apocalypses? (Bloomsbury T. & T. Clark, 2016) (reviewers including Elizabeth Shively and Crispin Fletcher-Louis), and one open-call session. For the open-call session, we invite paper proposals on any topic pertinent to the study of the New Testament and Second Temple Judaism.

New Testament: Use and Influence
Alison Jack (a.jack@ed.ac.uk)
John Lyons (w.j.lyons@bristol.ac.uk)
This year, the seminar will offer one ‘open call’ session, for which we would welcome proposals on any topic regarding the use and influence of the NT. The second session will involve an open invitation to BNTC attendees to participate in an organised project session (details of theme to follow). The third session will feature a round-table open discussion on the future/British NT Society future of reception history of the NT.

Paul
Peter Oakes (peter.oakes@manchester.ac.uk)
Dorothee Bertschmann (d.h.bertschmann@durham.ac.uk)
Papers are invited on any aspect of Pauline literature for the two open call sessions. We shall spend one session on a review panel held jointly with the NT and Second Temple Judaism seminar, on Jamie Davies’s Paul among the Apocalypses? (Bloomsbury T. & T. Clark, 2016).

Synoptic Gospels
Andy Angel (vicar@standrewsbh.org.uk)
Elizabeth Shively (ees3@st-andrews.ac.uk)
This year we focus on the intersection of the study of rhetoric and the Synoptic Gospels. First, we plan a joint session with the Book of Acts Seminar for which we invite proposals dealing with various aspects of the study of rhetoric in Luke-Acts. Second, we invite proposals dealing with various aspects of the study of rhetoric in the Synoptic Gospels. Third, we invite proposals on any topic on the Synoptic Gospels for an open session. Paper proposals for the joint session on rhetoric and Luke-Acts and should be sent to Elizabeth Shively. Paper proposals for the Synoptic Gospels sessions should be sent to Andy Angel or Elizabeth Shively, co-chairs of the Synoptic Gospels Seminar.

Simultaneous Short Papers
Steve Walton (steve.walton@cantab.net)
Proposals for 20-25 minute papers are invited for the simultaneous short papers session. Preference will be given to papers that do not easily fit into one of the established seminar groups. Proposing the same paper for this section and one of the seminar groups is not permitted.

«Gottes kräftiger Anspruch» : Die Barmer Theologische Erklärung als reformierter Schlüsseltext

Die sechs Thesen der Barmer Theologischen Erklärung von 1934 gehören zum protestantischen Traditionsgut. Aber wie vital sind sie eigentlich? Die Autorinnen und Autoren dieses Bandes konzentrieren sich auf das reformierte Profil der Barmer Thesen. Was heisst es heute, dass Jesus Christus das eine Wort Gottes ist? Was, ihn als «Gottes kräftigen Anspruch» auf unser ganzes Leben zu bekennen? Warum fehlen die Juden in diesem Text und mit welchen Folgen? Welchen Beitrag leisten die Thesen zur politischen Ethik? Die weltweite Rezeption der Barmer Theologischen Erklärung kommt ebenso zur Sprache wie die brisante Frage, ob und mit welchem Anspruch heute noch bestimmte Glaubenspositionen verworfen werden können. Alle Aspekte kreisen um die zentrale Frage: Warum sollen wir heute «Barmen» noch lesen, diskutieren, bekennen?

TVZ sent a review copy.

The central question which occupies the present volume is a simple one: is the Barmen Declaration still useful?

In an attempt to answer this question, the contributors first describe and discuss the six theses of which the Declaration is comprised (Part 1).  Then a consideration of the Declaration’s biblical and historical contexts is proffered (Part 2).  And then finally the ‘reception history’ (for lack of a better umbrella term) is examined (Part 3).

The volume concludes with an index of biblical texts and a brief bio of the collection’s authors.

The essays here collected were originally papers delivered in Bern at a series of lectures commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Declaration.  Fourteen essays by as many authors cover the topics described above and some of the contributors are ‘super-stars’ in the historical theology field.  These include Gottfried Wilhelm Locher, Peter Opitz, and Peter Winzeler.

A book of this sort will interest many, and since the table of contents is the open window on the volume’s intention, I include a couple of photos of the full TOC (since they aren’t online):

As can be seen, the essays all cohere around the theme of the work.  They are uniformly well written and very helpful indeed- not only in assessing the ongoing relevance of the Declaration but in setting the text in its historical setting.

I feel quite comfortable in recommending this volume and it isn’t saying too much if I suggest that readers will thoroughly enjoy it.  I did.  It begins with the right tone and carries that tone to the conclusion.  The font is lovely and the several photographs of the Declaration which open the work are very interesting indeed given their marginalia.

And, just on the off chance that readers of this review are not sure of the content of the Barmen Theological Declaration- here it is:

In view of the errors of the “German Christians” and of the present Reich Church Administration, which are ravaging the Church and at the same time also shattering the unity of the German Evangelical Church, we confess the following evangelical truths:

1. “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved.” John 10:1,9

Jesus Christ, as he is attested to us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God whom we have to hear, and whom we have to trust and obey in life and in death.

We reject the false doctrine that the Church could and should recognize as a source of its proclamation, beyond and besides this one Word of God, yet other events, powers, historic figures and truths as God’s revelation.

2. “Jesus Christ has been made wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption for us by God.” 1 Cor. 1:30

As Jesus Christ is God’s comforting pronouncement of the forgiveness of all our sins, so, with equal seriousness, he is also God’s vigorous announcement of his claim upon our whole life. Through him there comes to us joyful liberation from the godless ties of this world for free, grateful service to his creatures.

We reject the false doctrine that there could be areas of our life in which we would not belong to Jesus Christ but to other lords, areas in which we would not need justification and sanctification through him.

3. “Let us, however, speak the truth in love, and in every respect grow into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body is joined together.” Eph. 4:15-16

The Christian Church is the community of brethren in which, in Word and Sacrament, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ acts in the present as Lord. With both its faith and its obedience, with both its message and its order, it has to testify in the midst of the sinful world, as the Church of pardoned sinners, that it belongs to him alone and lives and may live by his comfort and under his direction alone, in expectation of his appearing.

We reject the false doctrine that the Church could have permission to hand over the form of its message and of its order to whatever it itself might wish or to the vicissitudes of the prevailing ideological and political convictions of the day.

4. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to have authority over you must be your servant.” Matt. 20:25-26

The various offices in the Church do not provide a basis for some to exercise authority over others but for the ministry [lit., “service”] with which the whole community has been entrusted and charged to be carried out.

We reject the false doctrine that, apart from this ministry, the Church could, and could have permission to, give itself or allow itself to be given special leaders [Führer] vested with ruling authority.

5. “Fear God. Honor the Emperor.” 1 Pet. 2:17

Scripture tells us that by divine appointment the State, in this still unredeemed world in which also the Church is situated, has the task of maintaining justice and peace, so far as human discernment and human ability make this possible, by means of the threat and use of force. The Church acknowledges with gratitude and reverence toward God the benefit of this, his appointment. It draws attention to God’s Dominion [Reich], God’s commandment and justice, and with these the responsibility of those who rule and those who are ruled. It trusts and obeys the power of the Word, by which God upholds all things.

We reject the false doctrine that beyond its special commission the State should and could become the sole and total order of human life and so fulfil the vocation of the Church as well.

We reject the false doctrine that beyond its special commission the Church should and could take on the nature, tasks and dignity which belong to the State and thus become itself an organ of the State.

6. “See, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20 “God’s Word is not fettered.” 2 Tim. 2:9

The Church’s commission, which is the foundation of its freedom, consists in this: in Christ’s stead, and so in the service of his own Word and work, to deliver all people, through preaching and sacrament, the message of the free grace of God.

We reject the false doctrine that with human vainglory the Church could place the Word and work of the Lord in the service of self-chosen desires, purposes and plans.

The Confessing Synod of the German Evangelical Church declares that it sees in the acknowledgment of these truths and in the rejection of these errors the indispensable theological basis of the German Evangelical Church as a confederation of Confessing Churches. It calls upon all who can stand in solidarity with its Declaration to be mindful of these theological findings in all their decisions concerning Church and State. It appeals to all concerned to return to unity in faith, hope and love.

Verbum Dei manet in aeternum.
The Word of God will last for ever.

The declaration’s final word is true of Scripture, and it may also be true of this important document.  Our volume faithfully informs us of its abiding significance and if history, as they say, repeats itself, we can expect the Declaration to retain its importance for as long as human history continues.

Jeroboam

‘A Good Guy With a Gun can stop a Bad Guy With a Gun’…

Except the police will shoot that guy because all they see is a gun…

Police in Amarillo shot an innocent man who helped foil a possible church shooting.

The shooting happened shortly after 9 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Faith City Mission, a faith-based outreach organization. Police said Joshua Len Jones, 35, of Amarillo, barged into a church building at Faith City Mission, pulled out a gun and was holding about 100 congregants and church staff hostage.

In the time between when police were dispatched and when officers arrived, a handful of churchgoers wrestled Jones to the ground. One of the congregants was able to grab Jones’ gun.

Etc…….

Deadline Extended

The deadline for submitting short paper proposals for the Eighth Annual RefoRC Conference, May 24-26, 2018 at the University of Warsaw has been extended to March 14, 2018.

Read more here.

#ICYMI- Yhwh, A God of the Wilderness

Not Everyone Who Runs a Podcast is a Theologian

Exhibit 76878766-

Smorgasbord Christians

‪Smorgasbord Christians- they flit from church to church for this activity or that speaker or this singer: always seeking a new experience but never being anything more than consumers of Christianity and certainly never becoming disciples of the crucified Lord.‬

No It Isn’t Fair, and It Shouldn’t Even Be Permissible

The Denigration of Scholarship is the Crippling of Faith

Important News

Poor Ireland and England

The world’s most notorious heretic is headed your way.  Prepare for more blarney than your islands can hold.

In a Time When Many are Getting Wealthy off of the Fear they Can Generate, It’s Good to Remember…

The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD is safe. (Prov. 29:25)

George Bush Resigned from the NRA after its Response to a Mass Shooting, In 1995

So why are you a member of that organization after many, many more?  Read Bush’s letter.  Maybe it will speak to you.

BAR Wars…. The Empress Strikes Back

Sorry for the catchy post title.  Anyway, in case you haven’t been following along-

• BAR published a bit of nonsense about a seal, claiming it proved Isaiah the Prophet was a real guy, etc.
• Many raised questions about the claim, including Rollston, Galbraith, and Baden.
• Meanwhile, Cargill – the chief editor of BAR since Shanks retired – went to the Museum of the Bible to fluff the public reception of the seal.
• Baden and Moss are not friends of MoB and expressed concerns about it.
• Cargill accused Baden, and by association Moss, of selling out (a curious accusation given Cargill’s present post at BAR).

Moss responds –

It may be worth pointing out that Moss and Cargill have long been friends and indeed Moss is very close, or has been, to Cargill’s family.

I suspect this isn’t over.

It Hasn’t Happened Yet- But People Of Faith Should Be At the Forefront of Seeing that it Does

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more;  but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. — (Mic. 4:3-4)

Signs of the Times

Another Book Giveaway: Or Rather, Another Copy of ‘What Did Jesus Look Like’ For You To Win

UPDATE: And the winner is- Ross McDonald! Email me your mailing info, Ross, and congrats.

I’ve an additional (!) extra copy of this new volume sent along by the publisher and I’m giving it to the person who

1- Tells me in comments why they deserve it.

2- Lives in the continental US.

3- And is randomly selected from all those who describe their worthiness to have it in comments (see 1 above).

Giveaway ends tonight at Midnight-  Friday, February 23.  So enter now!  And if you entered before and didn’t win, try again.  Who knows, it might be your time (as determined, or rather predetermined, by Providence).

If you’re unfamiliar with the book, here’s my review.

Why “Isaiah” of the Isaiah Bulla is not the Prophet Isaiah

Genius.

Remnant of Giants

In an article published this month in Biblical Archaeology Review, Eilat Mazar claims that she may have discovered “a seal impression of Isaiah the prophet, adviser to King Hezekiah”. The discovery was made from wet-sifted material originally uncovered from outside the building at Ophel, Jerusalem in 2009, within an archaeological layer dated ca. 700 BCE. The excavations have been taking place behind the 1949 Green Line, so are illegal in terms of international law.

Isaiah bulla from Ophel, Jerusalem, with hypothetical identification of other letters by Eilat Mazar

In her BAR article, Eilat Mazar expresses some caution in identifying the “Isaiah” of the seal impression (‘bulla’) with Isaiah the Prophet. The top line of writing clearly reads “leyesha‘yah[u]” (Hebrew: לישעיה[ו]; [belonging] “to Isaiah”). But there is more debate about the bottom line, on which the letters n-b-y are fairly clear. This would usually be the place for…

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Read Rollston on The Isaiah Seal Silliness

Here.

Ultimately, the conclusion that is there are a number of different possibilities for the second word of this inscription. I have listed some of them here, and there at least five to seven additional ones that could be listed. The “take away” is this. I would like to be able to say that this bulla is that of the prophet Isaiah, but that’s not at all the sole possibility. And it’s important to be forthright about stating this. Alas, we must always attempt to reflect deeply and broadly on restorations and readings. And in the case of this bulla, I think that there are a number of additional options and there is no empirical method of making a decisive determination.