The annual meeting of the European Association of Biblical Studies was organized this year in the city of Cordoba, Spain (July 13–15). This beautiful Andalusian city is full of interesting history and modern life. What struck me most in the well-organized EABS conference, was the diversity of scholars and methods in the field of biblical and cognate studies. Being a diverse melting pot of religions, Cordoba was the place for organizing this event. Continue reading Diversity in European Biblical and Cognate Studies
Category Archives: Mobility
On Jewish Paideia in Naples
Scholars from Europe, North America, and Australia gathered to Naples on 30 June – 4 July 2015 to participate in the Fifth Enoch Seminar Nangeroni Meeting ”Second Temple Jewish Paideia in its Ancient and Hellenistic Contexts”. The organisers of the conference – Jason Zurawski, Gabriele Boccaccini, and Luca Arcari – had compiled a fascinating programme of academic papers and field trips. Continue reading On Jewish Paideia in Naples
Terracottas in the Mediterranean through Time
by Raz Kletter, Izaak de Hulster & Katri Saarelainen
Three members of the CSTT participated in a conference “Terracottas in the Mediterranean through Time”, held at the University of Haifa, Israel 23-26 March 2015. Continue reading Terracottas in the Mediterranean through Time
Research Stay in Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
I have spent the academic year 2014/2015 in Tübingen, which is a small medieval academically-oriented town in Baden-Württemberg, Southern Germany. I chose Tübingen for several reasons. Firstly, I was fascinated by its traditional status: the university is founded in 1477 and thus it is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Tübingen has been historically central to theologians. Continue reading Research Stay in Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Greek Fragments in European Libraries and Museums: A Whirlwind Tour
This winter I was able to travel extensively throughout Europe to examine in person many of the Greek Exodus fragments that I am working on for my CSTT project. I had the opportunity to visit four different libraries and museums and see fragments of six Exodus manuscripts and a large number of additional ancient and medieval manuscripts. The untapped wealth of ancient materials that are stored in European institutions never ceases to amaze me! Continue reading Greek Fragments in European Libraries and Museums: A Whirlwind Tour
Call for Papers: Ancient Jewish Cosmology-workshop (Jerusalem, June 15-16)
CSTT Workshop: Ancient Jewish Cosmology – Sacred Time and Order
École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem, June 15‒16, 2015
CSTT’s Team 4 “Society and Religion in Late Second Temple Judaism” is organising a workshop on Ancient Jewish Cosmology. Cosmology is here broadly understood to deal with the cosmic world order and origin, but also matters related to acknowledging, finding out, and living out this cosmic order in everyday life. The aim is to identify forms and mechanisms of change in the notions and practices relating to Jewish cosmology: the origin, nature, and fate of the universe. Also ritual practices can be related to this theme: e.g., which beliefs are transmitted through ritual practices, prayer and divination; how the understanding of the divine is reflected in the earthly sphere (architecture, collective practices, calendar, correct prayer times, etc.). Cosmology plays a role in the way in which societies structure themselves and communities select and cherish their values and moral systems. Of special interest is the influence of Hellenistic philosophy and practices on Jewish thought. Continue reading Call for Papers: Ancient Jewish Cosmology-workshop (Jerusalem, June 15-16)
Looking for Job in Helsinki
by Urmas Nõmmik
I already got a research job in Helsinki, at the CSTT. But is that all? No, in another sense I am still looking for Job …
Research on the book of Job can be a risky business – one can be stuck there for decades. I have been more or less dealing with Job since the mid-1990s. The book of Job is fascinating because of its highly complex theological-philosophical-existential content, and because of its complex philological and textual history. Hence, there is no end in sight to the study of the book of Job. One has still to look for Job. Continue reading Looking for Job in Helsinki
Join the Horvat Kur excavation season 2015
by Rick Bonnie and Raimo Hakola
In the years 2010–2014, a team from The Faculty of Theology of the University of Helsinki participated in the excavations of a late antique synagogue at Horvat Kur, Israel. Now, from June 21 to July 17, 2015, excavation will continue and we are searching for volunteers to participate! Continue reading Join the Horvat Kur excavation season 2015
Durham – a Research Community in Hogwarts?
by Katja Kujanpää
The CSTT is all for internationality. Accordingly, I will spend the whole second year of my PhD programme at the Durham University in northern England. After the first three and a half months of the exchange year it is possible to share some preliminary impressions. Continue reading Durham – a Research Community in Hogwarts?
Rethinking the Category and Boundaries of ”Wisdom”
by Elisa Uusimäki
I have spent a fascinating autumn here in Jerusalem, filled with research at the Hebrew University and explorations of this beautiful, debated city. There are many stories to be told, but since Miika Tucker recently wrote a comprehensive blog post about his experiences in the same place last year, I feel like sharing with you other recent news of my journey. Continue reading Rethinking the Category and Boundaries of ”Wisdom”