Newman Research Centre for the Bible and its Reception

Dead Letters and Living Words: Continuity and creativity in the interpretation and use of the Bible.

Newman University

June 6^th 2015

Room: CH116

 Registration 9.00 to 9.30

 The Hebrew and Christian scriptures hold an important place within their respective faith communities as authoritative texts rooted within their ancient pasts. However, there is a tension between the continuity of traditional scriptural readings and a renegotiation of those texts when applied to new contexts. This conference will explore that relationship examining different ways that texts have been given life throughout centuries and how this might impact upon the text’s status as authority.

An emphasis will be placed upon participation for all, providing the opportunity for everyone present to engage with the questions and issues raised in the sessions. Therefore we are developing a more inclusive round-table style format to the afternoon, structuring it so that we can all be part of the on-going conversation about the relationship between continuity and creativity, historical and contextual readings, and the boundaries of biblical interpretation and use.

Speakers:

• Dr Lloyd Pietersen (Centre of Anabaptist Studies, Bristol Baptist College): ‘An Anarchist reading of Romans 13’
• Prof Steve Moyise: (University of Chichester & V.P. Newman University) ‘Reimagining the Jewish Jesus’
• Prof Martin O’Kane (University of Wales, Trinity Saint David): ‘The Artist as Biblical Interpreter: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Chagall’
• Mr David McLoughlin (Newman University): ‘From Persistent Prayer to Effective Activism: a re-reading of Luke 18: 1-8, the parable of the Judge and the Widow.’
• Dr Richard Goode (Newman University): ‘Breathing Life into the Word: Towards an anthropology of reading in the early church’

 See below for conference programme

Cost: £20 (Students and unwaged free)

Refreshments: Teas and coffees will be provided Please bring own lunch – hot food, drinks and snacks can be purchased at the University

Contact Details: To reserve a place and pay please click here for the Newman University estore  For more information please contact: L.Lawrence@staff.newman.ac.uk

Travelling to Newman: There is plenty of free parking space and the University is on a number of main bus routes. For more travel details and how to find us please click here

Conference 2015 Programme

9.00 – 9.30 Registration and coffee

9.30 – 9.45           Welcome, introductions and housekeeping

9.45 – 11.15        Lloyd Pietersen (An Anarchist Reading of Romans 13 & questions)

11.15 – 11.30      Break

11.30 – 12.15      David McLoughlin (From Persistent Prayer to Effective Activism)

12.15 -13.00        Steve Moyise (Reimagining the Jewish Jesus)

13.00 – 13.30      Lunch

13.30 – 14.15      Martin O’Kane (The artist as Biblical Interpreter)

14.15 – 15.00      Richard Goode (Breathing Life into the Word)

15.00 – 15.15      Break

15.15 – 16.15       Workshop

16.15 – 17.30      Round table