Biblical Studies and Jewish Studies Joint Day Conference with Professor Philip Esler, Principal of St Mary's University College, London.
Professor Philip Esler is Principal of St Mary’s University College, Twickenham. Previously, he was Professor of Biblical Criticism at the University of St Andrews.
Professor Esler is a leading international biblical scholar, known especially for his groundbreaking work in the social-scientific interpretation of the Bible. He applies insights and perspectives from disciplines such as social psychology, anthropology and sociology to Old and New Testament texts to gain a better sense of what they would have meant to their original audiences. He has also published in the areas of New Testament theology and the Bible and the visual arts.
He has published prolifically, and his books include: Community and Gospel in Luke-Acts: The Social and Political Motivations of Lucan Theology (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987), The First Christians in Their Social Worlds: Social-Scientific Approaches to New Testament Interpretation (London and New York: Routledge, 1994); Conflict and Identity in Romans: The Social Setting of Paul's Letter (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress); New Testament Theology: Communion and Community (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2005).
His most recent book is Sex, Wives, and Warriors: Reading Biblical Narrative with Its Ancient Audience (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011).
Programme
10.30 Arrivals: tea and coffee
11.00 Introduction and welcome: Revd Professor Richard Burridge
11.05 Reading Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Narrative: Why's and
Wherefore's
Professor Philip Esler
Chaired by Dr Andrea Schatz
12.30 Lunch (own arrangements)
14.00 Judean Ethnic Identity and the Origin of the Christ Movement: The
Meaning of Matthew and Hebrews
Professor Philip Esler
Chaired by Dr Edward Adams
15.15 Formal Responses: Prof. Joan Taylor and Dr Adam Silverstein
16.00 Refreshments