Next Wednesday I will be presenting a paper at LCC entitled, “The Chess King of the Sciences? How Biblical Studies Appropriates Insights from Other Academic Disciplines.”

UPDATE: Info is now posted on the LCC website.

Abstract: Academic study of the Bible and theology used to be regarded as “the queen of the sciences.” The area of biblical studies has evolved into a derivative enterprise, relying heavily on insights from other disciplines. This talk will present two applications of the social sciences in the study of the biblical book of Chronicles, including the notion of “textual identity and community memory,” and the twin concepts from political economy known as “selectorate theory” and “heresthetic.” We will also discuss some of the challenges that academic study of the Bible presents to faith communities.