Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar

The focus of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar event this year is the Book of Psalms. The Psalter has long been the Jewish prayer/song book and is an essential part of Christian Scripture. The aim of our session is to receive and appropriate the Psalms as God’s address. Although we are interested in the interpretation of the Psalter as a whole, we will have a special focus on lament as this kind of psalm presents particular challenges for interpreters today.

Our session will include not only Old Testament specialists and theologians but also musicians/artists, the latter producing fresh compositions in different genres (hip hop and concert music) and reflecting with us on the process of casting the psalms of lament in our own contexts.

• David Beldman, Redeemer University College, Presiding (5 min)
• Opening Liturgy
• Susan Bubbers, The Center for Anglican Theology, Liturgy, and Spiritual Formation
  Scripture Reading and Prayer (5 min)
• Judith Wolfe, University of St. Andrews
  Poetry and Lament: The Unique Power of Poetry in the Lament Experience (20 min)
• Jamie Grant, Highland Theological College
  The Hermeneutics of Humanity: Reflections on the Human Origins of Laments (20 min)
• Federico Villanueva, Langham Publishing and Loyola School of Theology
  Lament as the Heart of the Psalter (20 min)
• Josh Rodriguez, Collinsworth School of Music at California Baptist University
  Lament and Sacred Contemporary Music (Ps. 88:13–18) (20 min)
• William Branch, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
  Lament and Contemporary Hip Hop (20 min)
• Discussion (15 min)
• Closing Liturgy
• Susan Bubbers, The Center for Anglican Theology, Liturgy, and Spiritual Formation
  Scripture Reading and Prayer (5 min)

This year the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar is devoted to building out from its 2002 volume: A Royal Priesthood? The Use of the Bible Ethically and Politically. A Dialogue with Oliver O’Donovan (Scripture and Hermeneutics Series, Volume 3). That volume engaged O’Donovan’s Desire of the Nations. This year, a stellar group of scholars from multiple disciplines will revisit and engage O’Donovan’s ongoing work in a review panel, especially his recent “Ethics as Theology” Trilogy (Self, World and Time; Finding and Seeking; Entering into Rest), with the aim of exploring some new trajectories in contemporary Christian Ethics. 

• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Introduction (5 min)
• Ian Clausen, Villanova University, Panelist (15 min)
• Craig Bartholomew, Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics (Cambridge), Panelist (15 min)
• Kristen Deede Johnson, Western Theological Seminary, Panelist (15 min)
• Break (15 min)
• Matthew Arbo, Oklahoma Baptist University , Panelist (15 min)
• Amber Bowen, Trinity College, Bristol (UK) , Panelist (15 min)
• Discussion (35 min)
• William Olhausen, Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Closing (5 min)

This year, SAHS will run a joint session with the SBL Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures Section. Theme: An Engagement with Jeremiah Unterman's Justice for All.

• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Presiding

• Peter J. Williams, Tyndale House (Cambridge), Panelist (15 min)

• A.J. Culp, Panelist (15 min)

• Luke Wisley, University of Cambridge, Panelist (15 min)

• Break (10 min)

• Dru Johnson, The King's College (New York), Panelist (15 min)

• Marvin Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology, Panelist (15 min)

• Soo Kim, Panelist (15 min)

• Jeremiah Unterman, Respondent (20 min)

• Discussion (30 min)

• Heath A. Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Presiding

• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Welcome (5 min)

• Opening Liturgy
  William Olhausen, St. Matthias’ Church and Biblical Association for the Church of Ireland,
  Scripture Reading and Prayer (5 min)

• Jason Hood, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston Campus
  God’s Empire: Exploring the Structure of the Kingdom in the Gospels (15 min)

• David J. H. Beldman, Redeemer University College
  “Where Now Is Your King?” The Kingdom of God in Judges (15 min)

• Lynn H. Cohick, Wheaton College (Illinois)
  “The Kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph 5:5): Kingdom in Ephesians and Philippians (15 min)

• Break (20 min)

• Julien Smith, Valparaiso University
  The Transforming Image of the Ideal King: Paul’s Apostolic Defense (2 Cor 2:14–4:6) in Light of Greco-Roman Political Ideology (15 min)

• Walter Strickland, Southeastern Seminary
  Interpreting the Kingdom of God: The Ethics of Black Liberation in James Cone and J. Deotis Roberts (15 min)

• Discussion (35 min)

• Closing Liturgy
  William Olhausen, St. Matthias’ Church and Biblical Association for the Church of Ireland,
  Scripture Reading and Prayer (10 min)

Nov. 19, 4:00–6:30pm     306 (Third Level) – Hynes Convention Center (HCC)

The Kingdom of God

• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Presiding
• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University, Welcome (5 min)
• Opening Liturgy
• Heath A. Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University
  ‘The Kingdom of God is Among You’: Retrieval of the Kingdom for Today (15 min)
• Catherine McDowell, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
  The Image of God and the Kingdom of God (15 min)
• Sandra Richter, Wheaton College (Illinois)
  The Kingship of God in Deuteronomy (15 min)
• Break (15 min)
• Brant Pitre, Notre Dame Seminary, Graduate School of Theology
  The Last Supper and the Kingdom of God (15 min)
• Jonathan Pennington, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
  The Sermon on the Mount and the Kingdom of God (15 min)
• Discussion (40 min)
• Closing Liturgy

Nov. 19, 4:00–6:00pm     Stars at Night 1 (3rd Level) – Convention Center (CC)