Professor Loren Stuckenbruck gave an interesting paper this week on the area of the apocrypha and its interaction with Jewish and Christian canons. He didn’t mention the council at Jamnia so I asked about its role in the debate. I got an odd look from him, and he responded in a gracious manner saying that it is highly debatable that that ever happened. Doh! So I asked him to clarify. He didn’t go into detail but said a process of standardization occured but mostly in the 2nd century and that the process was retrojected back into the first century. So, for those of you like me that were fed the Jamnia story, learn your lesson from my experience and hold your tongue in public discussions.
I think this issue of canon is quite interesting since a significant chunk of the ‘Bible’ was removed with the reformation. Not that there weren’t some good reasons, but protestants have shunned them to the extent that when I was in high school I almost got the feeling that the catholics made up these books. And why would they choose names like Bel and the Dragon? Students need more interaction with these sources to open their eyes to NT backgrounds.
[Update: It's good to know wikipedia has it more correct than the educators that I've had in the past on this issue: Jamnia]
Wednesday, 20 May 2009 at 11:10 pm
[...] was No ‘Council’ of Jamnia! Ben at Dunelm Road shares an anecdote from this week where he asked Loren Stuckenbruck about the Council of [...]
Thursday, 21 May 2009 at 12:13 am
thanks for sharing that humbling experience! you’re not alone!
Thursday, 21 May 2009 at 12:55 am
Hi Ben,
Following your post on Prof Stuckenbruck, it is worth mentioning the fourth POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP to be held here in Durham where he will be the keynote speaker. His topic will be of great interest to all postgraduates! Also check the invitation for postgraduates to participate. Details below.
Frederik Mulder
Co-ordintator
POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP
CALL FOR PAPERS
The fourth Department of Theology and Religion POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP is to be held on Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Loren Stuckenbruck
This year we are extremely honoured to have secured Prof Loren Stuckenbruck, our outgoing Head of Department, to be our keynote speaker. This is not to be missed as he has accepted a professorship at Princeton Theological Seminary in the USA where he is to start shortly. His lecture will be one of his last addresses before his departure. In his lecture, Prof Stuckenbruck will focus on developments in the Department over the last fifteen years and identify strategic issues that relate to the Department’s development during the next five years. In all this he will reflect on what he has learned about academia on the basis of his experience here in Durham. This is your last chance to tap into Prof Stuckenbruck’s wealth of experience and acclaimed academic expertise!
Prof Stuckenbruck is a world-renowned specialist in Second Temple Jewish studies and New Testament studies.
Postgraduate papers on current work in progress:
In addition, four post graduates will have the opportunity to share the floor with Prof Stuckenbruck. Students are invited to present papers on current research. As one of the primary aims of the workshop is to encourage interdisciplinarity, students of all the different departments are encouraged to apply for a spot. The deadline for applications will be 29 May 2009. Students should submit an abstract (not more than 350 words) and will be notified by 5 June whether they were successful. For the selection process, names will be removed and abstracts assessed by the Workshop Coordinating team in collaboration with a member of staff.
Main aims of the Workshop:
• to provide an environment for the discussion of postgraduate research;
• to encourage constructive interdisciplinary feedback to inform research;
• to give postgraduates the opportunity to develop and employ key transferable skills;
• to help postgraduates to develop skills specific to a career in academia;
• to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for students to build social and academic networks.
Anticipated outcomes for postgraduate presenters:
• to acquire a better understanding of their research topic;
• to become more confident at talking about their research;
• to consider new ideas or different perspectives on their research;
• to gain experience for academic conferences and the viva;
• to develop ICT skills by using PowerPoint or similar;
• to help strengthen the postgraduate community.
If you would like to participate/attend this event, please register with Frederik Mulder
f.s.mulder@durham.ac.uk
Saturday, 23 May 2009 at 5:55 am
Aune has a good article in JBL from the 90′s on the Myth of Jamnia.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009 at 10:28 pm
I have a question. So the only sentence I am stuck on is here:
“He didn’t go into detail but said a process of standardization occured but mostly in the 2nd century and that the process was retrojected back into the first century.”
That’s the only one I can see that gives an actual explanation of why Jamnia might have not been. But as much as I tried to break down that sentence, I couldn’t understand what is being said. Just vague statements. Even though I know you said that he didn’t go into much detail. But I mean I think the whole point of that sentence was to say that a process of standardization occurred. Sooo….where do I go from there to conclude to the fact that the Jamnia events most likely didn’t take place? Can someone clear that up please