This site is concerned with the methodology connected with social science interpretation of Biblical Texts and Early Christianity. I hope to continue to build an online database of links and information for others to use in order to facilitate easy access to recourses. Why do I prefer this methodology? Throughout my career as a student, I have come to respect the original readers and find that it is important that I do not use an Eurocentric interpretative point-of-view to the best of my ability. However, I do not believe that one can fully divorce oneself from their social context, but the Social Sciences give modern, western interpreters the best means for bridging the cross-cultural gap and allowing us to better understand both ancient culture and also our own.
My interests focus primarily on Cultural Anthropology and Social Psychology and the role of Ritual in Early Christianity. Using the work of Henri Tajfel, Michael Hogg, Dominic Abrams, Jonathan Turner, Mary Douglas, James Scott, Victor and Edith Turner, Randall Collins, Fiona Bowie, Catherine Bell, Stephen Glazier, among others, I hope to remain current with anthropological and social psychological advances and how they might help in interpreting both ancient texts and material finds such as art, living quarters, etc. I have been highly influenced by the work of Philip Esler, Jerome Neyrey, Carolyn Osiek, Richard Demaris, K C Hanson, Bruce Malina, John Pilch among many others. I am a member of the Context Group, which is a group of scholars (including those just mentioned) who strive to use the Social Sciences for the interpretation of both canonical and non-canonical ancient texts.
In terms of my education, I have a BA in Religion, a MA in Biblical Studies, a Ma in Classical Languages and Literatures, and I am currently working on my PhD in Biblical Interpretation.
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Hello all
I have returned from the grand city of Vancouver from giving a paper at the University of British Columbia. I had the great privilege of staying at Dietmar and Vi's home during the conference. They are both incredible people and went way beyond the call of duty when my luggage was lost. Also, Diet's garden is amazing. He should charge admission for people to see it.
Currently, I'm working on comprehensive exams. I will be taking them in September, so time is of the essense. I hope to go to SBL in November ABD (All But Dissertation). It will be nice to have gotten to that point come SBL.
Lastly, I would like to say that the Canadians in the CSBS are just fabulous people. I had such a great time and all of them gave critical remarks in seminars, but in a way that was helpful and productive. A nice change from other conferences I have been to in the past.
Well, I will sign out for now. I hope all is well with you and yours. Drop me a line if you wish to say hello.
Jason
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posted by: Jason / June 8, 2008, 10:42 am
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Well, I passed my Greek Exam... Now onto Comps.
In other news, it looks like I can rejoin AAR finally. It took them long enough. Here is the e-mail sent out by SBL.
On April 14th the AAR issued the following statement to its members:
In light of scheduling and logistical problems connected with the proposed Independent Annual Meeting, and given the views our members expressed in our recent member survey, the [AAR] Board, in its April 12, 2008 meeting, approved a recommendation that the AAR begin scheduling concurrent, yet independent Annual Meetings with the Society of Biblical Literature as soon as is feasible. Assuming that the SBL is agreeable to meeting concurrently, it is our intention that such meetings would feature ….
(The full text of this announcement may be found on line at: Full Text Here)
The SBL Council discussed this announcement at its meeting on April 26, 2008, and offers the following comment to SBL members.
We are pleased to hear of this new development, and wish to reaffirm our continued interest in meeting at the same time and in the same city as the AAR. The SBL was not involved in the original decision by AAR; nor have we been involved in the present one. We will certainly discuss with AAR the feasibility of meeting in the same city at the traditional time (the weekend before US Thanksgiving) as soon as it is possible given present scheduling commitments and contractual arrangements. We are already scheduled through 2012 (Chicago) and 2013 (Baltimore). Once discussions commence with AAR regarding future concurrent meetings, the SBL Executive Director will report regularly on the progress in making this a practical reality. We firmly believe that holding the SBL Annual Meeting at the same time and in the same city as other organizations involved in the advancement of biblical, religious, theological, and related academic studies is a good idea. It brings together people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to exchange ideas and build relationships.
Kent Richards
SBL Executive Director
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posted by: Jason / April 28, 2008, 2:47 pm
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Krister Stendahl passed today. Another great scholar has fallen asleep. My condolences to his family and friends and those within the Harvard community.
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posted by: Jason / April 15, 2008, 7:03 pm
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Some of you know that I did a MA in Classics at University of Kentucky. I have just found out that one of my professors, Ross Scaife, passed away at age 47. I, personally, am in shock. He was one of the people that helped my family make the transition from California to Kentucky and my son enjoyed playing with his three boys as well. The academic community has lost a pioneer in computer generated texts. Cathy has lost a husband and his three boys have lost their dad. My condolences go out to the family and friends of Ross. He will be greatly missed.
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posted by: Jason / April 14, 2008, 6:37 pm
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Hello all,
Well, I have given three conference papers this semester while preparing for exams. I gave a paper on the catacombs in Rome at a Brown University conference. Then, I gave a paper at The Context Group. Finally, I read a paper at Southwestern Regional SBL. They all seemed to go very well and I am excited about future ideas for my dissertation and publications.
On a lighter note, the NCAA tournament begins this weekend and I am looking forward to it in no uncertain terms!
Jason
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posted by: Jason / March 18, 2008, 9:01 pm
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Hello all,
Well, I have just finished all my coursework for my program and have come to the end of the first phase of my looonnnggg education! I now start the rigorous endeavor of studying for comprehensive exams. About 16 years of coursework... never thought it would happen.
Ok, my pet peeve at the moment. The AAR are still discussing what to do about the split with SBL. Well, how about get back together?! I don't see how this discussion can be going on still while AAR members and SBL members have continually complained about this ludicrous move on behalf of the executive committee of AAR. I have revoked my AAR membership and I encourage as many people as possible to do so in protest. My dream would be for AAR to lose all its members for a year in protest, but that's a pipe dream of mine. Needless to say, I am furious about all this and don't see what there is to discuss.
Jason
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posted by: Jason / December 16, 2007, 4:54 pm
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Hello all
I recently got back from SBL and had a productive conference. I gave my second national paper and was on my first committee. The Ritual Studies Group I am involved with went so well that I am very excited about the future. I am hoping we can have a review panel for Richard DeMaris' new book at the SBL 2008. The book is out in February and I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy. It is called The New Testament in its Ritual World. You can pre-order it through the link.
I have also been told that my paper for Regional SBL has been accepted. So, I will be giving a paper at Brown University and at local this coming semester. Besides that, I will be taking my comp exams. Let's hope it all goes as planned. If it does, I should be on my way to the dissertation proposal.
Well, three more classes to attend and then two weeks till semester is over... that is the end of coursework!!!! Merry Christmas to me!
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posted by: Jason / November 26, 2007, 8:06 pm
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Hello all,
Well, the semester has been a bit crazy. I have about 7 weeks left till I am done with coursework. Also, my first paper for publication has been accepted by Biblical Theology Bulletin. The article will be in the '08 volume. Also, SBL is getting close and preparations are being made on my presentation..... work, work, work.. :).
Jason
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posted by: Jason / October 23, 2007, 6:16 pm
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Hello All,
I am still here. I had an incredible time in Turkey. It was amazing to finally step foot into the ancient world. My studies literally came alive. I can't thank the people enough who supported me on this adventure. I was able to watch my studies come to life in a new way. In terms of personal happenings, I was able to venerate the tomb of St. John the Theologian. Also, I was able to venerate the relics of St. Nicholas and St. John the Baptist. I was able to celebrate Pentecost in the church of the 7th ecumenical council and I stood near the place where the 1st ecumenical council took place. Our last destination provided the opportunity to see Chora, where I was able to venerate some of the most well-preserved mosaic icons in the world. Then, we went to Hagia Sophia, which was both depressing and epic at the same time. Oh, how I wish I could have worshiped there. The architecture was amazing and what icons were left were just beautiful.
This semester will be a busy one. I am taking three courses (Acts, Women in Early Christianity, and History of Hermeneutics), teaching Greek, delivering a paper at National SBL, taking my Greek exam, and hopefully publishing an article and another book review or two. What is amazing is that these three courses will be my last. Yes, after 17 years or so of college, I am not going to have to take a class for a degree... I don't know what I will do with myself. So, Christmas will be a celebration and a time to reflect on how my days will be organized and what questions will be on my comprehensive exams. This also means that, after this academic year, it is more than likely that I will be ABD at the end of summer. Let's cross our fingers and pray.
Lastly, I hope to fill my summer in 08 with travel plans. I hope to travel to Philippi for my dissertation research and to Rome for, well, fun and research. I may even be able to travel to the Holy Land if finances permit. We will see. Since I will be out there at that time, I may be able to swing it since the plane tickets will be cheaper if I am closer.
That is my update for now. I hope to do this more often now that I have a new computer. As I get lost in the semester, I may not be able to update very often, but I will give it a shot.
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posted by: Jason / July 31, 2007, 7:29 pm
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Well, I am going to Turkey soon. I raised enough money to get me there. What I will do about the rest, well, I will worry about later :). Thank you all who have contributed to my trip. I will also be taking Anthropology of Religion in July. That will leave 3 classes for next semester and then, NO MORE CLASSES. I can't believe course work will be over. It seems like it has been so long in coming.
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posted by: Jason / May 16, 2007, 5:44 pm
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