From: Tyler Williams (twilliam@epas.utoronto.ca)
Date: Tue Jan 02 1996 - 00:31:07 EST
Below is the line up for the TST Biblical Department Seminars for the new
year. This term we are pleased to have papers on the Hebrew Bible, the
New Testament, and Qumran texts. If you are in the Toronto area, please
feel free to come to any of the seminars. (Apologies for cross-postings)
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TST Biblical Department Seminars Spring Semester 1996
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*January 18
"Creation Spirituality in the Psalms"
Michael Kolarcik
Regis College
This seminar will explore the interesting juxtaposition between creation
theology and salvation theology that persists in the Psalms of
Descriptive Praise (C. Westermann's category). In light of the recent
positions that have been taken suggesting that Scripture overemphasizes
salvation theology, the Psalms of Descriptive Praise are yet another
example of the healthy versatility and movement that exists in
Scripture between creation perspectives to redemptive declarations (Leo
G. Perdue, Wisdom & Creation: The Theology of Wisdom Literature
[Abingdon, 1994]).
*February 8
"The Prince of the Congregation of 1QSb"
Richard Ratzlaff
McMaster University
The recent publication of an additional fragment of 1QRule of the
Blessings (1QSb) has led to small but significant improvements in our
understanding of the blessing of the Prince of the Congregation (1QSb
5.20-29). In this paper I will concentrate on the blessing as an
exegetical reworking of the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26. I will
also examine other biblical texts alluded to or used in the creation of
the blessing, concluding with some reflections on the figure of the
Prince of the Congregation in the scrolls as a whole.
*February 22
"The Legacy of Samuel Rolles Driver (1846-1914)"
Marion Ann Taylor
Wycliffe College
Samuel Rolles Driver (1846-1914) was a very prolific writer, an
outstanding Hebraist and Old Testament scholar, and a very effective
popularizer of historical criticism. In this seminar we will consider the
question of his contribution and significance to biblical studies, with
special attention to how he attempted to wed faith and criticism.
*March 7
"The Contribution of the Qumran Scrolls to Biblical Studies"
Lawrence H. Schiffman
Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University
This presentation will explore the contribution and significance of the
Qumran scrolls for biblical studies, including such issues as the state
of the Hebrew Bible in Second Temple times, the question of canon as
regards the Qumran community, the role of biblical interpretation in the
various Jewish sects of the time and its relation to later Judaism and
Christianity, and the alleged existence of New Testament manuscripts at
Qumran. The lecture will seek to give a sense of the state of research
in these various fields and to provide the necessary perspective for the
use of the Qumran finds by biblical scholars.
Lawrence H. Schiffman, Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York
University, has published many books and articles on the scrolls,
including the popular Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls (Doubleday, 1995).
He is also one of the editors of a forthcoming encyclopedia on the
scrolls, as well as the new journal Dead Sea Discoveries.
*March 28
"'Synoptic Positivism' Old and New:
The Last Supper and Jesus' Understanding of His Death
from Schweitzer to Farmer"
Daniel A. Smith
Wycliffe College
The broader purpose of this study is to explore the contours of the
relationship between methodological convictions and theological
commitment in discussions concerning the historicity of traditions about
Jesus. Specifically, the paper focuses on scholars who, operating outside
mainstream historical Jesus scholarship, have sought to reconstruct
Jesus' understanding of his death from the Synoptic and Pauline
accounts of the Last Supper (Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-29; Luke 22:15-20;
1 Cor 11:23-25). Of special concern is the relationship between literary-
and source-critical arguments concerning the primitivity or priority of a
particular form of the tradition, and historical arguments concerning
authenticity or dominical provenance.
**NB: After this seminar we are planning to go out as a group to Pizza
Hut. Everyone will pay her or his own way. All are invited to come.
*April 11
"The Deed of Judas: A Review of New Testament Evidence"
William Klassen
Visiting Research Professor,
Ecole Biblique et Archeologique, Jerusalem
Virtually all scholars assume that Judas betrayed Jesus. This paper
subjects that thesis to critical scrutiny by analyzing the word used in
the New Testament for what Judas did: "he handed him over." It reviews
current conclusions about the deed of Judas and how it relates to the
activity of Jesus just prior to his "handing over." The paper calls for a
new look at Judas and a new evaluation of his person in the light of the
Greek text of the New Testament and subsequent traditions about the
character of Judas.
W. Klassen's book, Judas: Friend or Betrayer of Jesus? is scheduled to
be released by Fortress Press by Easter 1996.
*April 18
"The Psalter as a Composite Scripture?
A Study of Double Occurrences in the Psalms"
Tim Reimer
Emmanuel College
Psalms 14 and 53 (which are nearly identical) have traditionally been
viewed as little more than a text critical challenge as scholars have
attempted to reconstruct the single Urtext underlying them both. This
seminar will examine the differences between these psalms, seeking an
integrity and coherence unique to each. Further, it will test the
hypothesis that these psalms, and other double occurrences in the psalms
(Psalms 53, 57, 60, and 70 all have at least partial doublets elsewhere
in the Psalter) were circulated in sub-Psalters before being integrated
into what is now the canonical Psalter.
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All seminars will be held in the Cody Library, Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin
Ave, Toronto, ON. They begin at 4:10 and conclude at 5:30 pm.
Refreshments will be served compliments of contributing TST colleges and
student associations.
Any questions, comments, requests for information, and/or offers to
present papers can be directed to one of the seminar coordinators:
Bob Derrenbacker; NT, Wycliffe College
531-2626; derrenba@epas.utoronto.ca
Tyler Williams; OT/HB, Wycliffe College
963-9082; twilliam@epas.utoronto.ca
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Tyler F. Williams Wycliffe College
Internet: twilliam@epas.utoronto.ca Toronto School of Theology
Voice/Fax: (416) 963-9082 University of Toronto
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