Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society

ABSTRACTS

Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society

2008 Annual Meeting

3–4 April 2008

Mohican State Lodge & Conference Center

Perrysville, Ohio

Officers:

President Holly Toensing, Xavier University

Vice-President Wilma Bailey, Christian Theological Seminary

Secretary-Treasurer Sheila E. McGinn, John Carroll University

Program Chairs:

Mary Bader, The College of Wooster

John Byron, Ashland Theological Seminary

Peter Gosnell, Muskingum College

Edward Karshner, Robert Morris University

Jonathan David Lawrence, Canisius College

Eric A. Seibert, Messiah College

Barr, David L.

Professor of Religion, Wright State University

“The Synagogue of Satan as Anti-Imperial Rhetoric in John’s Apocalypse”

This paper reviews the various interpretations suggested for John’s image of the “synagogue of Satan,” comparing it to other images of betrayal, especially Jezebel and the eating of idol food, and then suggests that these images are best understood in terms of John’s rejection of imperial culture.

Billingsley, Ramone R.

Coordinator of Academic Support Services, Ashland Theological Seminary

“A Judge, a King, or Neither: An Ideological Reading of 1 Samuel 8”

The account of Israel’s request for a king in 1 Samuel 8 presents a contradictory assessment about the theological implications of an Israelite king. Scholars have addressed this issue by focusing on the compositional history of the text, in light of the larger literary context of 1 Sam 8-12. By focusing on the text as a work of literature, and employing ideological criticism as a reading strategy, this paper will demonstrate that the ambiguities, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the text will reveal the author’s claim, that neither judge nor king is an effective means of Israelite government.

Blessing, Kamila

Blessing Transitions Consultants

“Wired for God: Believe What You Hear and See”

When John the Baptist sends to inquire whether Jesus is the one who is to come, what does he say? "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight…” (Matt 11:4-5; NRS). Not “believe in me”; not “didn’t I say so”; but “believe your ears and eyes.” Be an empiricist. This passage is a challenge to us moderns. It is a challenge to be truly empirical. It is also a challenge to interpret a crucial but often overlooked passage of the NT.

Byron, John

Associate Professor of New Testament, Ashland Theological Seminary

“Cain’s Rejected Offering: Interpretive Approaches to a Theological Problem”

The story of Cain and Abel records the first ever offering made to God. The question that quickly rises to the surface when reading Gen 4:3-7 is: what was wrong with Cain’s offering? Why did God reject it? God’s apparent capriciousness in rejecting one sacrifice over the other creates a theological problem. The problem is compounded by Abel’s murder. Since Cain’s act of fratricide is precipitated by God’s unexplained rejection of the sacrifice, which resulted in Cain’s anger, God becomes complicit in the act. These problems opened the door for ancient interpreters to expand and rework the story in a way that exonerated God of appearing capricious and, by extension, complicit in Abel’s murder. The following traces the interpretive approaches used by Jewish and Christian exegetes to respond to a theological problem created by gaps in the narrative.

Cho, Jaecheon

Doctoral Candidate, University of Notre Dame

“The Death of Herod (Acts 12:19b-23) in Jewish and Hellenistic Religious Contexts”

Luke’s account of the death of Herod has multiple functions within the entire narrative of the book of Acts. It is not by chance that the scene marks the division by which the book is structured into two parts. The series of events reported in chapter 12 occasions the opening of the first full scale Gentile mission by Paul (12:24-25). In form, the Lukan narrative resembles many other Death of Tyrant type-scenes from Greco-Roman and Jewish literature, all conveying a theological message of divine retribution. Luke’s message in this story should be read against backdrop of the contemporary religious milieu. Our investigation of the Hellenistic ruler cult and its developed form in the Roman imperial cult enables us to contextualize the religious consciousness and behaviors of both Herod and his subjects.

Cleaver-Bartholomew, David

Association Minister, Eastern Ohio Association United Church of Christ

“One Text, Two Interpretations: Habakkuk OG and MT Compared”

It is widely acknowledged that the Old Greek (OG) and Massoretic Text (MT) of Habakkuk stem from a common consonantal Vorlage. However, there are many differences between these two texts. Some may be attributed to inadvertent scribal error (e.g., misreading letters), yet others are best ascribed to intentional scribal alteration (e.g., vocalization, syntax, and additions to the text). This paper will examine and compare selected verses of Habakkuk in the OG and MT. Through this process, we will see that these two texts function differently and convey different messages.

Cohen, Margaret

Doctoral Candidate, The Pennsylvania State University

“In Defense of Grammar: What an Unassuming Pronoun Tells Us about the Composition of 2 Samuel”

A rare comparative use of the plural demonstrative pronoun, the repetition of particular syntax, and the symmetry of both linguistic and thematic elements demonstrate the intricate, purposeful arrangement of the narrative text in 2 Samuel, including the material in the so-called appendix of 2 Sam 21-24. Each occurrence of an unusual use of the pronoun אלּה is examined in order to understand its position and function in 2 Sam 21:22. That function is to provide a critical tool for contrasting David’s successes with his enemies’ defeats. Tracing the trajectory of this demonstrative pronoun through the 2 Samuel narrative delimits the compositional structure of the Philistine war tales.

Cook, Joan

Visiting Professor, Georgetown University

“Malachi, the Bridge Prophet”

The book of Malachi, canonically the last of the prophetic books, creates bridges between people (prophet and teacher, priest and prophet, Malachi and Elijah); between different eras (past and present, present and the Day of the Lord); and between different parts of the Bible (Torah and Prophets; and in Christian interpretation, between the Old and New Testaments). The presentation will examine these bridges and the rhetorical devices that create them.

Cooley, Jeffrey

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Xavier University

“Astral Religion and Celestial Divination in Ancient Israel: A Reassessment”

Using Bronze Age texts from ancient Syro-Palestine, iconographic material from the southern Levant in the Iron Age, and the biblical text, I confirm that astral religion was part of Israelite religious life and argue that this worship has its origins in Israel’s Canaanite heritage, rather than in Mesopotamia. Second, I contend that, in contrast to scholars who link it to astral religion, celestial divination was not a part of Israelite religion to any appreciable degree before the exile. Here too, my evidence will be Ugaritic and biblical material.

Davidson, Edith T. A.

Emerita Professor of English, State University of New York at Oneonta

“Literature or History?” [The Book of Judges]

Most readers are shocked on encountering Judges. Why is this little book of horrors with its violence and cruelty in the Bible? The world it describes Is a Hobbesian one in which there is continual warfare, where “the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short,” and where what Israel needs is a Supreme Authority to create peace. Judges is one of the literary masterpieces of world literature. We will explore its literary features: structure; language; cast of powerful characterizations; special effects; sources; entertaining aspects and the profundity of its message, and discuss the looming question: Is it history?

DeSilva, David A.

Trustees' Prof. of New Testament & Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary

“An Example of How to Die Nobly for Religion: The Influence of 4 Maccabees on Origen’s Exhortatio ad Martyrium”

In the course of his Exhortatio ad Martyrium, Origen retells the famous story of the martyrdoms of Eleazar, seven brothers, and the mother of the seven. While it is clear that he drew upon the version in 2 Maccabees from his verbatim recitations of the same, close study of his vocabulary, his supplements to the story, his choice of imagery, and his deployment of particular argumentative topics reveals the extent to which he drew upon 4 Maccabees, a text that would eventually be included in the codices of the Septuagint, as well. While the evidence is not sufficient to suggest that Origen included 4 Maccabees among the Scriptures, it is sufficient to demonstrate that he regarded it as a valuable resource for encouraging two Christian deacons to find the resolution to die for their religion, and to find such a death honorable and purposeful.

Diebold, Brian

Master of Divinity Student, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

“Ezekiel 19 and the Disgrace of Egypt”

The nineteenth chapter of Ezekiel is full of layers of meaning and builds upon many resonant texts strewn throughout the book and the Hebrew Bible. All of these aspects of the chapter work together to present a parodied dirge that indicts Israel for mimicking foreign royal powers, and therefore for having been found in the image of Egypt. The chapter not only mocks Jerusalem's contemporary kings, but also the eponymous figures of Joseph and Judah, calling the very identity of the Chosen People into question.

Doan, William

Professor and Associate Dean, Miami University of Ohio

“Performance Criticism of the Hebrew Bible” [with Terry Giles]

Performance Criticism is a critical methodology based upon the premise that select portions of the Hebrew Bible (and Christian New Testament as well) are literary variations of originally oral compositions that were read or recited before live audiences. Those readings and recitations were performative in nature and understanding the performative dynamics at work in the material, being read or recited, can yield fresh insights into the meaning of the material. Performance Criticism applies concepts commonly used in Performative Studies to the Hebrew Bible in an effort better to understand the conventions and structures enabling communication.

Dwyer, Timothy

Professor of Christian Scriptures, Roberts Wesleyan College

“’Because of Transgressions’ (Gal 3:19): Reevaluating Jerome”

H. J. Schoeps once called the problem of the law in Paul “the most intricate doctrinal issue in Paul’s theology” (Schoeps, 1961). Few passages are more puzzling than the elliptical Gal 3:19: ti oun o nomoV twn parabasewn xarin proseteqh. Discussion has often circled around carin: is it causative (Schreiner; Martyn; Betz), or cognitive (Calvin), or should another solution be sought? This statement, so un-Jewish to Betz and Martyn, may indeed have a basis in the narrative of the Torah. This paper will reassess the ancient view of Jerome, namely that the transgressions that caused the law to be added were those of Israel immediately after the Exodus, not general human transgressions either caused or made recognizable by the law.

Everson, Daniel L.

Doctoral Candidate, Hebrew Union College

“The Heavenly Rebellion in Pseudepigraphic and Targumic Literature”

In order to understand the respective angelologies of the Pentateuch targums, an attempt should be made at situating these beliefs within the various corpora of Second Temple Literature, classic Rabbinic Literature, and later Rabbinic Literature. To that end, this paper will provide a comparative analysis of the key issues regarding “fallen angels” within these corpora. That is, what were the nature, extent, and effect of the angelic rebellion? (E.g., how many angels rebelled? What was their purpose? Was the rebellion an enduring one?) Having done this, the respective ideologies regarding “fallen angels” within the Pentateuch targums may be evaluated. A careful tradition-historical analysis of targumic ideology is a worthwhile endeavor in that a certain amount of debate exists regarding which traditions are reflected within the various targums (cf. Vermeś, Hayward, Flesher, Shinan, and Azuelos). For example, when Targum Pseudo-Jonathan mentions Shamhazai and Azazel as fallen angels in Gen 6:4, is the Targum drawing upon an Enochic or a rabbinic tradition?

Foster, Robert

Doctoral Candidate, Marquette University

“Transforming the War Scroll: From Local Conflict to Global Crusade in 1QM”

Source-critical analyses of the Qumran War Scroll have universally assigned columns 1 and 2 to distinct literary strata. This conclusion made obsolete earlier assumptions that they present a coherent program of battle. Some recent studies have reverted back to this former approach without, however, seeking to provide a sufficient redaction-critical basis. The proposed paper will argue that both columns have been redacted in light of each other and added to the War Scroll last. This conclusion explains their unity and suggests possible answers to long-standing questions, such as why they exploit the Table of Nations and why only Shem’s descendants receive yearly assignments.

Frayer-Griggs, Daniel

Master of Arts Student, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

"Genre Recognition and Literaturization in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas: A Key to Assessing Luke's Relationship to Ancient Biography"

The possibility that progress concerning the genre of the canonical gospels can be made through the study of the extra-canonical gospels has not been sufficiently explored. This essay seeks to demonstrate that the author of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, who was familiar with Luke’s gospel, recognized Luke as a biography, realized, however, that it had some literary shortcomings, and sought to provide a supplement to it, thus furthering the process of literaturization of Luke and bringing that gospel closer to the biographical ideal.

Gale, Aaron

Assoc. Prof. & Coordinator, Prog. for Religious Studies, West Virginia University

“God, Galilee, and the Gospels Revisited: Was Matthew Written from Bethsaida?"

This paper will discuss converging lines of evidence concerning three topics: the origin of Matthew's Gospel, Galilean religion, and the city of Bethsaida. In my book Redefining Ancient Borders, I argued that archaeological, textual, and historical evidence suggest Matthew's Gospel was written from within the confines of a Jewish setting in Galilee. In particular, I placed the Gospel community in Sepphoris; that theory will be reviewed here. Yet is it conceivable that the Matthean community could have resided in a smaller city such as Bethsaida? What does the latest archaeological evidence tell us about this important biblical city?

Giles, Terry

Professor of Theology, Gannon University

“Performance Criticism of the Hebrew Bible” [with William Doan]

Haddox, Susan E.

Asst. Professor, Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies, Mount Union College

“Who’s the Man? Conflicts over Masculinity in Divine-Human Relations in Hosea”

Because the audience of Hosea comprises powerful men, the emerging field of masculinity studies provides useful analytical tools. Hosea critiques the actions of Israel’s leaders by attacking their masculinity according to the standards of the Ancient Near East, which include potency, protection and provision for one’s dependents, and honor. YHWH’s masculinity is simultaneously affirmed. The rhetoric of the text attempts to bring the leaders into a subordinate position with respect to YHWH and to shape their actions and attitudes accordingly. Although Hosea’s imagery largely reinforces masculine norms, it contains some subversive elements, which begin to destabilize hegemonic masculinity.

Huebscher, Stephen

Pastor, Wildwood Chapel

“How to Translate ‘The Cool of the Day’ in Gen 3:8: Unorthodox Evidence for Reading yom II (“storm”) from the Gnostic On the Origin of the World (NHC II, 5; XIII, 2)”

“[Adam and Eve] heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the cool of the day.” Some Hebrew scholars believe that the word “day” (yom) in Genesis 3:8 should be translated “storm,” not “day.” This word is known as yom II. This paper will review previous scholarship and present new evidence for an exegetical tradition in the Gnostic work On the Origin of the World that presupposes the lexical reading yom II. One implication is that modern scholars are not the first to believe that yom does not mean “day” in this verse.

Johnson, Michael

Associate Professor of Modern & Classical Languages, Buffalo State College

“Physiognomy More Than Philosophy”

The creative problem solving hermeneutic which I have been exploring in previous papers at this meeting now analyses the famous poem on time at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a riddling encryption of the human body, in terms of counterbalanced pairs of activities. Parts of the riddle are probably unequivocal (the eyes weep); some may resolve questions of meaning (the hamstrings get severed). Seen as depicting a virtual body in action, the poem is less a philosophical statement on time than a latent catalog of physiognomy, prompting the reader to consider afresh the ‘work’ that defines the human condition.

Kang, Seung Il

Doctoral Candidate, Near Eastern Studies, The Johns Hopkins University

“The Garden of Eden as Sacred Space”

My paper attempts to interpret the Garden of Eden as sacred space based on its features commonly found in other sacred places. Then, it will further discuss how the author of the Eden narrative tried to present the Garden of Eden as an Israelite sacred place by incorporating some characteristics associated with Jerusalem and the Temple.

Karshner. Edward

Assistant Professor, Robert Morris University

“Beyond Belief: Pre-Modern and Post-Modern Hermeneutics as Antidote to Student ‘Ideology’”

A major obstacle in the academic teaching of religion is dealing with students’ “fundamentalism” in which they consider texts to be objective, literal artifacts. For the believer, the text is the literal history of their religion. For the non-believer, the text is a collection of religio-fantasy that depicts a speculatively expressed worldview. By introducing students to James Kugal’s “Assumptions of Midrash” and James Berlin’s rhetorical heuristics, students are encouraged to discover the debatable possibilities within a text. This presentation offers strategies for moving students beyond their belief-based premises in order to develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.

Kavanagh, Preston

Retired Minister, United Church of Christ

“How You Can Apply the Newly Discovered Biblical Code”

This presentation has three sections. The first covers the newly discovered code explained in the July issue of Biblica. The code spells names by using one letter per text word from words at regular intervals. For example, the fifteen-word Priestly Benediction (Num 6:24–26) contains eighty-seven coded spellings of “Jehoiachin.” Section two shows how the Major Prophets applied coded anagrams to condemn King Jehoiachin for worshipping Babylon’s gods. The final section teaches attendees how to find such anagrams in the OT, using only a commercial search program and a conversion table of letters. The table will be included in a handout.

Kiger, Nicholas A.

Graduate Student, Methodist Theological School in Ohio

“Mark’s Secrecy Motif: Hellenistic Mystery Cults and the Warning Against Revealers in Mark’s Gospel”

The purpose of this paper is to make a case for the secrecy motif in Mark as a warning against revealers, and to show the probability that the Markan community could have functioned as a mystery cult. This paper will discuss how Mark uses secrecy in comparison to Hellenistic mystery cults, the advantages of secrecy to mystery cults, and the pragmatic uses of secrecy in both Mark’s gospel and mystery cults. This paper will be an attempt at a new look at how Mark’s gospel paints a picture of the Markan community, and will attempt to answer the question of whether or not an early Christian community could have functioned as a mystery cult and still maintain their identity as followers of Jesus.

Kim, Hyun-Gwang

Doctoral Candidate, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The Inner Logic of Romans 3:19: How Does the Law Stop Every Mouth?”

Scholars believe that Paul refers only to Jews by the phrase “those who are in the law” in Rom 3:19. Thus, they question, “How does the law’s speaking to Jews stop every mouth?” This paper evaluates several suggested answers and wonders if the question is legitimate. This paper, then, considers the other possibility that Paul might have placed Gentiles along with Jews in the sphere of the law. Having scrutinized Rom 3:19, preceding chapters of Romans, and Hellenistic Judaism, this paper concludes that the inner logic of Rom 3:19 is better understood with the view that Paul includes Gentiles in the sphere of the law.

Knauth, Robin J. DeWitt

Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of Religion, Lycoming College

“A Case of Restitution vs. Retribution (Exod. 22:1-4)”

The laws of theft in Exod 22:1-4 usually are interpreted as including an interpolation about house-breaking, where bloodguilt for the thief hangs on whether the break-in occurred at night or during the day, intrusively inserted into the middle of a law concerning animal theft. The current paper makes sense of the ordering of the verses by recognizing that the house-breaking law still concerns the theft of animals since animals were kept in the house at night, and proposes a new interpretation of the law as distinguishing between apprehension and retributive punishment after the fact (the next day) vs. self-defense against a thief apprehended in the act, written in opposition to an older legal tradition assigning the death penalty for animal theft.

Kozar, Joseph

Associate Professor of Theology, University of Dayton

“Running Naked and Sitting Pretty: The Figure of a Young Man as a Cipher and Witness to the Fate of Jesus & His Disciples (Mark 15:50-52; 15:46; 16:5-7)”

The young man who flees naked into the night after Jesus’ arrest and the disciples’ flight has been viewed in a range of meanings from empty cipher to rich narrative symbol. Seen in a positive light, he assures the reader that Jesus’ destiny lies in the escape of resurrection instead of the capture of the tomb. Viewed negatively, he symbolizes the disciples’ choice of shameful flight over Jesus’ principled surrender to arrest. This paper examines the young man’s role as a touchstone to gauge the fate of both Jesus and the disciples at the end of Mark’s Gospel. At the same time, it explores the young man’s underlying role as cipher: an enigmatic figure pointing to an empty tomb.

Lawrence, Jonathan David

Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, Canisius College

”Bible-Trek—Next Generation: Adapting a Bible Survey Course for a New Audience”

Traditional survey courses with lectures full of countless factual details will likely frustrate students who question “facts” and expect their courses to be entertaining and relevant to their lives and careers. Instructors struggle to cover everything as completely as possible without overwhelming students with so much information that they miss comprehension and opportunities for critical thinking. This paper examines an Introduction to Old Testament that was narrowed to focus on five stories in order to emphasize close readings, interpretations, and analysis. It will discuss student responses, results, applicability to current students, as well as possibilities for adaptation to other subjects.

Lillie, Betty Jane

Professor of Theology, Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary

“Some Aspects of Koinonia in the New Testament”

In this paper, we shall consider three aspects of New Testament koinonia: formation of koinonia, koinonia in the early Christian communities, and transformation through koinonia. The meaning of the word developed from its common usage in the Greek-speaking world as a business term for “partnership,” or by extension to a marital “partnership” in which lives are shared. New Testament writers move to a more theological vein. Paul, for instance, gives the word a religious content. Others carry the partnership into the realm of the apostolate where they worked together to extend the Christian message.

Lozada, Francisco

Assoc. Prof. of New Testament & Latina/o Church Studies, Brite Divinity School

“New Testament Studies and Postcolonialism: Placing Johannine Studies Within the Discourse"

This paper will explore the use of postcolonial biblical interpretation within the field of New Testament Studies, with a particular attention to Johannine Studies. The paper will engage the topic of post-colonialism by way of a discussion on why it matters, what it comprises, and finally how post-colonialism is brought to the field of Johannine Studies.

Martin, Matthew

Undergraduate Student, Lycoming College

“Renewed Excavations at Tel Gezer in Israel” [with Robin J. DeWitt Knauth]

In response to recent controversy surrounding the archaeology of the 10th century in Israel, and the dating of matching fortification systems at Gezer, Hazor and Megiddo in particular, archaeological excavations at Tel Gezer have recently been renewed to see whether the dating issue can be definitively resolved. These renewed excavations have focused, for the last two seasons, on areas along the casemate wall just to the west of the 6-chambered gate. After sorting through various layers of archaeological debris from previous excavations, our investigation of the wall has revealed at least two distinct destructions and three distinct building phases above Late Bronze age levels. A seal on a clay jar stopper found in association with one of these phases may help with the dating. Excavations just to the north of the wall have re-exposed some major architecture previously dug by MacAllister, and, below it, a major Iron Age destruction level. One square (mine) revealed an ancient kitchen with tabun, ash pit, water basin, and flat working surface.

Monast, Lisa

Master of Arts Student, Xavier University

“Snapshots of the Sacred and Profane in History: Four Systems for Accessing Meaning”

I will consider the different methods for locating and accessing meaning (the sacred) and the lack or absence of meaning (the profane) as seen in three time periods in the Judeo-Christian experience, specifically: (1) The primitive and ancient approach to the sacred and the profane in space and time, as put forward by Mircea Eliade; (2) the Hebrew seismic shift: God in human time; (3) the historical Jesus and the sacred reality he called the kingdom of God. This study brings to the forefront the pervasive theme of cosmos or world as evidence and purveyor of meaning and offers a critique on our current Western perceptions of world and sacred reality.

Monighan-Schaefer, Johanna

Adjunct Professor, Dickinson College

“Revealing Religious Thought Through Art”

When teaching the effects of Enlightenment on the Christian church and the Fine Arts, it is thought-provoking to compare two artists’ works from the Romanticist period: Friedrich Overbeck’s The Triumph of Religion in the Arts (1829-1840) and the Tetschen Altar (1808) by Caspar David Friedrich. Comparing these paintings reveals a spectrum of opposing worldviews, faith, and the role of art in religion by both artists. While analyzing the paintings with the students, a multitude of content-specific questions can reveal the differing religious worldviews.

Paige, Terence

Professor, Houghton College

“Aristocratic Women at Thessalonica: A Neglected Topic”

This paper will briefly explore the aristocratic women in the church at Thessalonica (Acts 17:4) and the place they had among the addressees of 1 Thessalonians. Several factors (social and religious) point to these women having been especial targets of the persecution that Paul discusses in 1 Thessalonians. In addition, 1 Thessalonians has a number of striking uses of feminine or nurturing imagery (e.g. 1 Thess 2:7; 5:3). I suggest that these women were prominent among those who suffered—and perhaps even died—for their faith at Thessalonica, and Paul’s rhetoric concerning their suffering and his apostleship is, in part, directed to them.

Penwell, Stewart

Graduate Student, Cincinnati Christian University

“Dogmatic Frameworks and the Narrative Gospels”

This paper will demonstrate that the canonical Gospels, Mark in particular, were written in order to anchor Christian memory in the past while simultaneously enabling Jesus tradition to meet the needs of their respective communities. Following the model of Maurice Halbwachs, the development of narrative memory frameworks uses the change in media dynamic, from speaking/listening to writing/reading, to create a dogmatic memory of Jesus. This contrast in media dynamics is more than a simple difference in textual presentation, but rather a difference in hermeneutics. While there is a hermeneutical distinction in the textual media dynamics, the apostolic speeches/letters and canonical Gospels both employ and promulgate dogmatic memory.

Pitts, Andrew W.

Doctoral Candidate, McMaster Divinity College

“Luke, History, and Intertextuality: A Narrative-Historiographic Analysis of Luke’s Use of Sources”

Jewish hermeneutical techniques, especially midrash and pesher models, have been employed as the primary interpretive base for understanding the use and interpretation of Scripture in Luke-Acts. Neither volume, however, fits nicely into the generic categories where these Jewish methods for interpretation are typically utilized. A consensus has begun to form that understands the collection as some form (perhaps multiple forms) of ancient history. These literary considerations provide warrant for investigating how authoritative sources were cited and interpreted in Greco-Roman historiography and how ancient citation techniques among the historians compare to the Lukan strategy.

Roskop, Angela Rae

Doctoral Candidate, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

“Wilderness Chronology or Wilderness Chronotope? Time in the Wilderness Narrative and Its Implications for Composition History.”

The chronology of the wilderness sojourn is reckoned in two ways, by dates and as a 40-year period. These methods are typically viewed as compatible. But, when references to the 40-year period in the manna and spies’ episodes are combined with the date formulae, we get different lengths of time, exceeding 40 years. Drawing on Bakhtin’s idea of chronotope, this paper argues that we are dealing with two different and incompatible ways of narrating the wilderness sojourn. We will look at points in the narrative where they were juxtaposed and consider implications for the composition history of the wilderness narrative.

Seibert, Eric A.

Associate Professor, Messiah College

“Jonah, the ‘Whale,’ and Dr. Seuss: Asking Historical Questions Without Alienating Conservative Students”

This paper considers effective pedagogical strategies for discussing the historicity of biblical stories in the classroom without unnecessarily raising the defenses of theologically conservative students. The book of Jonah will be used to illustrate how these pedagogical strategies might be deployed. As part of the presentation, a brief segment of a Dr. Seuss video will be shown as an example of how one might enter into this conversation. The suggestions offered in this presentation are intended to illustrate how to facilitate this conversation in ways that will encourage openness to consider perspectives that students might initially find threatening.

Sowers, Brian

Graduate Student, University of Cincinnati

“Thecla Remixed or Turnerian Social Drama Theory Gone Awry”

The Thecla legend had a profound impact on early Christian literature and the social role of women. This project analyzes intertextual connections between the Acts of Paul and Thecla (APT) and Aelia Eudocia's fifth-century Conversion of Saint Cyprian (CC). Whereas Eudocia's protagonist, Justina, imitates Thecla's physical altercation with Alexander, Justina also preserves her familial ties and femininity. Read in light of Turner's social drama theory, Justina's story is one in which "nothing happens" and differs from the APT. This paper explores for the first time how Eudocia's CC exploits and contemporizes the Thecla legend.

Toensing, Holly

Assistant Professor, Xavier University

Presidential Address

Urffer, Seth Thomas

Undergraduate Student, Lycoming College

“The Dynastic Succession of Queen Athaliah”

Queen Athaliah is often portrayed as a usurper of the Judean throne. This view comes from an account that is twisted to say she is going to keep the throne for herself. Athaliah, a legitimate heir to the throne, is most likely ruling as regent for Joash until he turned twenty. The destruction of the lines of Omri and David are examined, along with the laws of inheritance and Athaliah’s rights as Queen Mother. This explains why Athaliah is not a usurper, but a legitimate heir as well as the most logical person to secure the throne for Joash.

Von Thaden, Robert H., Jr.

Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Mercyhurst College

“Bad Children, Children as Bad: Problematic Children from Proverbs to Acts of Thomas and Beyond”

In this paper, I examine children as conceptual signifiers in religious rhetoric. While children generally are viewed positively in traditional Jewish wisdom, already in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes anxiety surrounding children exists. From earlier wisdom concerns about children I move to explore how children represent less than ideal ways of being in the world—even of evil ways of being—in Acts of Thomas 11–12 and a vignette from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers: Alphabetical Collection (Olympius 2). A conceptual bridge between these earlier and later traditions is Paul’s wisdom teachings found in 1 Corinthians.

Wright, William M., IV

Assistant Professor of Theology, Duquesne University

“Two-Level Drama or Elaborated Argument: Reading John 9:1-41 within Greco-Roman Compositional Rhetoric”

Recent interpretation of John 9 has been dominated by J. Louis Martyn’s reading of the account as a “two-level drama” whereby the account simultaneously tells the stories of Jesus and a Johannine community. This reading has been increasingly criticized on historical and hermeneutical grounds. When analyzed within Greco-Roman compositional rhetoric, John 9 can be read as a mixed chreia, blending epideictic and forensic textures. The account forms an elaborated argument to demonstrate Jesus as the Light of the World. This rhetorical reading brings to light dimensions of the text, which can be obscured when the account is read as narrating the community’s history.

Yuckman, C. Hans

Pastor, United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington

“‘Lord, Please Send Someone Else’: Reflections on Disability and Vocation”

A “biblical” understanding of vocation is elusive. On the other hand, the texts speak nearly univocally about disability and its relationship to divine calling. This paper explores the calling of Moses (Exod 4), attentive to the ways in which God relates the disability of Moses to the economy of divine purpose. Exploring other Old Testament texts briefly, the paper expands into a treatment of Jesus’ perception of disability, which both critiques the popular misconstrual of Old Testament views and demonstrates his disruptive social politics. We are left with surprising insights into the nature of disability and divine purpose.

Yun, Sungduk

Doctoral Candidate, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

“The Cultic Centers Outside of Jerusalem During the First Temple Period”

A diachronical survey of certain cultic centers outside of Jerusalem based on the scriptural and archaeological materials.

Many thanks to all who helped make this Annual Meeting possible:

Our Officers, Members, Program Committee, & Presenters

The Society of Biblical Literature

The American Schools of Oriental Research

Ashland Theological Seminary

John Carroll University

Baker Book House

Eisenbrauns Publishing Company

Saint Mary’s Press

Scholars Choice

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