History of Biblical Interpretation

This year, our theme is “Reading Paul in the Reformation.” This year, we have invited three experts to give 20 minute presentations on male and female interpreters during the Reformation which will provide fodder for a robust time of discussion to follow.

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary, Presiding (5 min)
• Stephen Chester, Wycliffe College
  Reading Paul with the Reformers: Key Themes for Today (20 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• Joy Schroeder, Capital University
  Not Women’s Chitchat but the Word of God: Women of the Reformation Reading Paul (20 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• Marion Ann Taylor, Wycliffe College
  “Should Women Speak/Preach?” Marie Dentiere, Calvin, and Farel (20 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• General Discussion (40 min)

This year, our session will focus on the Bible in the Public Square. To facilitate our discussion, we invited paper submissions that explore how the Bible was used historically in debates about slavery, gender ideology, immigration, abortion, the relationship between Christians and government authorities, justification for war, etc. Presenters will give a 20-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary, Presiding
  
• M. Daniel Carroll R., Wheaton College (Illinois)
  Reading the Bible with a Migration Lens: New and Needful (20 min)
  Discussion (10 min)
• Laceye C. Warner, Duke University Divinity School
  Reading Scripture with the Grimké Sisters: Hermeneutic of Redemption (20 min)
  Discussion (10 min)
• Andrew Judd, Ridley Melbourne
  Hagar, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and why we can’t agree on what the Bible means (20 min)
  Discussion (10 min)
• Kathleen Buligan, University of Toronto
  The Book of Esther and the Temperance Movement (20 min)
• Break (10 min)

Theme: The Art of Sleuthing - Recovering Past Interpreters and Their Work. In this session, four senior scholars will talk about their journey in exploring the history of biblical interpretation, touching on such topics as the importance, significance, and payoff of studying the history of biblical interpretation, how to go about doing this kind of research, best practices and resources, and their experience publishing in this area.

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary, Presiding

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary, Introduction (5 min)

• Stanley Porter, McMaster Divinity College
  Reflections from the Co-Editor of “Pillars in the History of Biblical Interpretation,” Vols 1 and 2 (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Joy Schroeder, Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Capitol University
  Reflections from the Translator and Editor of “The Bible in the Medieval Tradition” and Author of “Deborah’s Daughters” (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Emerson Powery, Messiah College
  Reflections from the Co-Author of “The Genesis Liberation: Biblical Interpretation in the Antebellum Narratives of the Enslaved” (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Marion Ann Taylor, Wycliffe College
  Reflections from the Editor of “Handbook of Women Biblical Interpreters,” and Co-Editor of “Women of War, Women of Woe” and “Women in the Story of Jesus” (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• General Discussion

• Discussion (10 min)

• Business Meeting (5 min)

2017 Focus: Reading with the Reformers: Special Session commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

• Marion Taylor, Wycliffe College, Presiding
  

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary, Introduction (5 min)

• John L. Thompson, Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena)
  A Matter of Gratitude: Calvin on Reading the Fathers (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Mark Gignilliat, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University
  Luther and Calvin with Jacob at the Jabbok (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Rebekah A. Eklund, Loyola University Maryland
  Blessed Are the Excommunicated: Reading the Beatitudes with the Reformers (20 min)
  Discussion (5 min)

• Amanda Benckhuysen, Calvin Theological Seminary
  “I send you not a woman’s ranting, but the Word of God”: The Life and Work of Female Reformers (20 min)
  Discussion (15 min)

• Business Meeting (5 min)

Nov. 17, 3:30–5:30pm     Tufts (Third Level) – Boston Marriott Copley Place (MCP)