Continuing Seminar:     
Divinity in Ancient Israel

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Description

The Divinity in Ancient Israel Seminar explores the theme of divinity in the Hebrew Bible and early Jewish texts from a variety of methodological and interpretive angles, examining texts in their historical, cultural, literary and religious contexts, and in their ongoing reception histories. Our current framework is Inspiration and Revelation broadly construed. Possible questions to probe in our sessions include the following:

• How do scriptural texts depict inspiration and revelation, and how are those depictions related to scriptural representations of divinity?
• What do our texts reveal about scribal conceptions of inspiration and revelation?
• How do discourses of authority and power within the texts and outside the texts interplay with notions of inspiration and revelation?
• How does the manner of inspiration and/or revelation correlate to the content of the inspiration/revelation?
• Methodologically, are “inspiration” and “revelation” terms/concepts that are applicable to the production of scriptural texts? Is the theological freight of these terms an aid or a hindrance to understanding divinity in ancient Israel?
• What can reflection on these concepts within the Hebrew Bible and early Jewish texts offer to theological understanding of the concepts?
• How can a consideration of divinity, inspiration, and revelation in ancient Israel help us lead others (in our classrooms, religious communities, etc.) to a better understanding of these topics?

Call for papers: We encourage CBA members to propose papers for our seminar. Please email one of the co-conveners with your proposal, including how it fits within this broad framework and its possible avenues of pursuit. 

Seminar Leaders in 2026

• Mahri S. Leonard-Fleckman, Princeton Theological Seminary
• Andrew R. Davis, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry 
• Garrett Galvin, O.F.M., Franciscan School of Theology

Program Details for 2026

• TBA

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HISTORY

• 2025 Program

  • Presenter: Thomas Bolin, Independent Scholar         
    "From Book Religion to Ritual Reading"
    Respondent: Heath Dewrell, University of Texas, Austin

  • Xenia Chan, Augustana University
    "The Incarnation of Many Living Gestures: A Counterpoetic Reading of Jer 17:12-18 with Madeleine Thien's 'On Structure'"
    Respondent: Ki-Eun Jang, Fordham University

  • Mark S. Smith, Princeton Theological Seminary
     "Abraham’s Last and Greatest Challenge in Genesis 22"
    Respondent: Mark Enemali,C.S.Sp., Duquesne University

• 2024 Program

  • Presenter: Andrea Saner, Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology 
    "Moses as Corporate Mediator? Inspiration and Inner-biblical Exegesis of Exodus 20:5-6 and 34:6-7."
    Respondent: Jaime L. Waters, Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry

  • Presenter: Reed Carlson, Sewanee: The University of the South, School of Theology                                              “The Spirit of Jealousy and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Numbers 5:11–31.”
    Respondent: Corrine Carvalho, University of St. Thomas

  • Presenter: Heath Dewrell, University of Texas, Austin                                                                                                "Why the Ark of the Covenant is Holy: An Exploration of Post Hoc Etiologies of the Sacred."
    Respondent: Thomas Bolin, St. Norbert College

• 2023 Program

  • Presenter: Peter Dubovský, Pontifical Biblical Institute
    "Greek versus Hebrew Portraits of Solomon in 1 Kings 1–11/3 Kingdoms 1–11: Exploring the Concepts of Inspiration from a Text-critical Viewpoint"
    Respondent, Steven McKenzie, Rhodes College

  • Presenter: Anathea Portier-Young, Duke Divinity School
    "Walking Naked and Barefoot: Bodily Performance in Isa 20"
    Respondent: Corrine L. Carvalho, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

  • Presenter: Charles Hughes-Huff, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology
    "Punishment and Holiness in the Priestly Source"
    Respondent: Heath Dewrell, University of Texas at Austin

• 2022 Program 

  • Presenter: James Nati, Santa Clara University
    "Prophetic Authority and Scribal Anxiety in the Late Second Temple Period." (Zoom)
    Respondent: Anathea Portier-Young, Duke Divinity School  (Zoom)
  • Presenter: James Chukwuma Okoye, C.S.Sp., Duquesne University
    "For I Regret that I Made Them" (Gen 6:7). Inspiration, Revelation, and the Image of a Repenting God."
    Respondent: Katherine E. Brown, Independent Scholar
  • Presenter: Corrine L. Carvalho, University of St. Thomas - Minnesota
    “Inspiration as Pain and Possession in the Book of Ezekiel.”
    Andrew R. Davis, Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

• 2021 Online Seminar

  • Presenters:
    • David Bosworth, Catholic University of America
      “Creation and Emotion in Isaiah: Love”
    • Aleksander Krogevoll, University of Toronto
      “I Appeared as El Shaddai: An Inquiry into the Proposed Etymologies for the Divine Name.”
    • Roundtable Discussion
      “Future Directions for the Divinity Seminar: Three Proposals.”

• 2020 Online Seminar

  • Presenters:

    • Discussion of Markl, Dominik. (2020)    The Babylonian Exile as the Birth Trauma of  Monotheism. Biblica, 101(1), 1-25.

    • Respondent: John J. Collins

• Focus for 2019: Open Session

  • Presenters:

    • Klaus-Peter Adam, The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
      “Revenge as a Theological Topos.”
      Respondent: William S. Morrow, Queens Theological College

    • Jaime Waters, DePaul University
      "Where is your God? Reflections from the Korahite Psalms"

    • Todd Hibbard, University of Detroit Mercy
      “YHWH Saves: On the Intersection of Isaiah's Composition and Theology." 

• Focus for 2018:

  • Deuteronomistic Deities in Judges and Samuel
    
    

• Focus for 2017: Judges and 1-2 Samuel

  • Presenters:
    • Mark Smith 
    • Mahri Leonard-Fleckman 
    • Dale Launderville, O.S.B.
    • Mark Enemali 
    • Herb Huffmon
    • John L. McLaughlin

• Focus for 2016: Deuteronomistic Deities in 2 Kings

  • Presenters:
    • Peter Dubovsky
    • Steve McKenzie
    • Michael Simone.

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