Lecture Event

Sacred Witness or Terror Texts?

Grappling with the Poetics of Rape in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Lecture by Dr. Scholz for the "Mentor Pastor Colloquy"

WHERE: Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, TX

WHEN: January 11, 2010

How do you preach about rape in the Hebrew Bible when in the United States every 2 minutes someone is sexually assaulted, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, when 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police, approximately 73% of rape victims know their assailants, and statistically most church congregants have first- or second-hand knowledge of rape?

The problem gets worsened by the fact that most people believe that way back then women were men's property anyway. To them, these are terror texts that offer little support to contemporary people.

This lecture invites you to step out of such a literalist-historical approach and to become acquainted with a feminist sociology of biblical hermeneutics.

References to specific biblical narratives and poems illustrate that the Old Testament can indeed be read as a "sacred witness" of rape, whether located in the past or the present, and serve as an ethical and theological foundationfor the Christian faith.

For more information, contact dr. scholz at sscholz@smu.edu or call at 214-768-2460.

Also check out dr. scholz's forthcoming book on the topic:
http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Witness-Rape-Hebrew-Bible/dp/0800638611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261436173&sr=8-1

Intellectual Colonization in Text, Art, and Historiography:

The Mayans and Their Bible, the Popol Vuh

Moderated by
Dr. Susanne Scholz, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Perkins School of Theology
Dr. Adam Herring, Associate Professor of Art History, Meadows School of the Arts

This session focuses on the Mayan historical, cultural and socio-political interpretations of the Popol Vuh - the sacred text of the Guatemalan indigenous people. Among the questions explored are:

• What is the Popol Vuh?
• Why is this sacred text not well known and studied in religious and theological studies?
• What does it contain?
• How does it relate to liberation theologies?
• How have scholars of art history engaged this Mayan tradition?
• Why is this text of interest to Latino/a religious and biblical studies?

The series of Interdisciplinary Dialogue sessions is presented by The Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins School of Theology with funds from the Luce Foundation. The Center promotes a deeper understanding of the varieties of religious life and expression within the Latino communities in the USA and Latin America and addresses issues related to the Latino/a religious experience within a broader ecumenical and religious context.

DATE AND LOCATION

Wednesday, November 18, 2009Perkins School of Theology5901 Bishop BlvdProthro Hall Refectory-Rm 104

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

6:30 pm Gathering for light dinner7:00-8:30 Discussion

SUGGESTED READING
(available as pdf-files on Academic Search Complete, a library online database)

Parsons, Mikeal C and Garrett Cook. “Cosmogonies and Culture: Teaching Genesis and the Popol Vuh in an Interdisciplinary Course at a Christian University.” Christian Higher Education 3, 3 (July 2004): 185-205.

Chiappari, Christopher. “Toward a Maya Theology of Liberation: The Reformulation of a ‘Traditional’ Religion in the Global Context.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 41, 1 (March 2002): 47-67.

Dennis Tedlock, Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of The Mayan Book of The Dawn of Life and The Glories of Gods and Kings (NY: Touchstone, 1996). A fluent, often beautiful translation by a noted scholar of Mayan languages.

Allen J. Christenson, Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Maya: The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality, Translated fromthe Original Maya Text (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). A newer translation, replete with informative and useful scholarly apparatus.

Intellectual Colonization in Text, Art, and Historiography

The Mayans and Their Bible (the Popol Vuh)

Moderated By:
Dr. Susanne Scholz, Asst. Professor of Old Testament, Perkins School of Theology
Dr. Adam Herring, Associate Professor of Art History, Meadows School of the Arts

DATE AND LOCATION:Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Perkins School of Theology5901 Bishop Blvd Prothro Hall Refectory-Rm 104

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 6:30 pm Gathering for light dinner 7:00-8:30 Discussion

This session focuses on the Mayan historical, cultural and socio-political interpretations of the Popol Vuh - the sacred text of the Guatemalan indigenous people. Among the questions explored are:
1. What is the Popol Vuh?
2. Why is this sacred text not well known and studied in religious and theological studies?
3. What does it contain?
4. How does it relate to liberation theologies?
5. How have scholars of art history engaged this Mayan tradition?
6. Why is this text of interest to Latino/a religious and biblical studies?
The series of Interdisciplinary Dialogue sessions is presented by The Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins School of Theology with funds from the Luce Foundation. The Center promotes a deeper understanding of the varieties of religious life and expression within the Latino communities in the USA and Latin America and addresses issues related to the Latino/a religious experience within a broader ecumenical and religious context.

SUGGESTED READING:
(available as pdf-files on Academic Search Complete, a library online database)
Parsons, Mikeal C and Garrett Cook. “Cosmogonies and Culture: Teaching Genesis and the Popol Vuh in an Interdisciplinary Course at a Christian University.” Christian Higher Education 3, 3 (July 2004): 185-205.
Chiappari, Christopher. “Toward a Maya Theology of Liberation: The Reformulation of a ‘Traditional’ Religion in the Global Context.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 41, 1 (March 2002): 47-67.
Dennis Tedlock, Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of The Mayan Book of The Dawn of Life and The Glories of Gods and Kings (NY: Touchstone, 1996). A fluent, often beautiful translation by a noted scholar of Mayan languages.
Allen J. Christenson, Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Maya: The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality, Translated fromthe Original Maya Text (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). A newer translation, replete with informative and useful scholarly apparatus.

http://www.smu.edu/Perkins/PublicPrograms/LatinoCenter.aspx

For more information, please email to sscholz@smu.edu.

Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature

Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature

New Orleans

November 23, 2009

23-203
Bible and Cultural Studies
Joint Session With: Bible and Cultural Studies, Children in the Biblical World
11/23/2009
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Studio 8 - MR
Theme: The Cultural Work of Children's Bibles, pt. 2
Reidar Aasgaard, University of Oslo, PresidingJeremy Punt, University of StellenboschThe Other in South African children's Bibles. Politics and (Biblical) Systems of Othering (25 min)
Julie Faith Parker, Yale UniversityCharacters of Color: Players or Props? (25 min)
Laurel Koepf, Union Theological SeminaryInside Out: The Othered Child in the Bible for Children (25 min)
Edesio Sanchez, United Bible SocietiesChildren, Theology and Translation in Latin America: La "Traducción en Lenguaje Actual" (25 min)
Victoria Hoffer, Yale University'And You Will Inculcate Them to Your Children:' Bibles and Collections of Bible Stories for Jewish Children (25 min)
Susanne Scholz, Southern Methodist UniversityVeggies, Women, and Other Strangers in Children and Teenager Bible DVDs: Toward the Creation of Feminist Bible Films (25 min)

23-316
Feminist Hermeneutics of the Bible
Joint Session With: Feminist Hermeneutics of the Bible, African-American Biblical Hermeneutics
11/23/2009
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Napoleon D1 - SH

Theme: Inclusive Biblical Interpretation: Taking the Other Seriously
Using as its point of departure Cheryl Anderson’s Ancient Laws and Contemporary Controversies: The Need for Inclusive Biblical Interpretation (Oxford University Press, 2009), this session will explore the implications for theological education and congregational practices of interpreting the Bible inclusively, that is, by incorporating these normally excluded voices.
Angela Bauer-Levesque, Episcopal Divinity School, Presiding
Cheryl B. Anderson, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Panelist (10 min)
Deborah A. Appler, Moravian Theological Seminary, Panelist (10 min)
Herbert R. Marbury, Vanderbilt University, Panelist (10 min)
Nyasha Junior, Howard Divinity School, Panelist (10 min)
Kimberly D. Russaw, Vanderbilt University, Panelist (10 min)
Susanne Scholz, Southern Methodist University, Panelist (10 min)
Nancy R. Bowen, Earlham School of Religion, Panelist (10 min)
Frank M. Yamada, McCormick Theological Seminary, Panelist (10 min)Discussion (70 min)

First United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas

www.firstchurchdallas.org

1928 Ross Ave

Dallas, TX 75201

PH (214) 220-2727 Ext. 224

"Gender and Violence in the Hebrew Bible"

Dr. Susanne Scholz

Click here for more information:

http://www.firstchurchdallas.org/ministries_adults_upcoming-FTW.htm

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 and Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

9 Am to Noon in Crossroads Center

Are the scriptures gender biased?

Where does scripture stand on gender-justice issues?

What does scripture say about sexual violence?
Only in recent decades have preachers and commentators lifted up biblical texts on these pervasive problems in past and present society.

Come learn what contemporary scholarship has to say.

Session 1: Oct. 10th

Adam and Eve in the 21st CenturyWas the first human a male? Did Eve seduce Adam into disobeying God? Did woman bring sin into the world? What does the Bible really say about this?

Session 2: Oct. 31st

God Talk and Sexual ViolenceWhat resources does the Bible offer to deal with this challenging issue? What do the scriptures teach us?

...got so busy with various projects and things that I didn't find the time to update...but this will change soon. For now, check out the announcement of my new book, "Sacred Witness: Rape in the Hebrew Bible," to be published with Fortress Press. You can pre-order here: http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Witness-Rape-Hebrew-Bible/dp/0800638611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250471022&sr=1-1

The pre-order price is really good at $23.10 (as of August 15) and I hope you will get your copy. I will be happy to sign it if you wish--just let me know the next time we'll see each other!

March 29, 2009 in Newburyport, MA--Come and join us!

WHY THE BIBLE MATTERS IN THE MODERN WORLD
THE BIBLE FOR THINKING PEOPLE

Sunday, March 29, 2009
St. Paul’s Church
166 High Street
Newburyport, MA
1 - 5 p.m.
$20 per person

Topics

“The Bible and the Modern World” – Ethics
&
“Eve and Adam in the 20th Century” – Gender Issues

Led by
Susanne Scholz, Ph.D.
Writer, teacher and researcher in Theological and Religious Studies
Professor, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University
Author of "Introducing the Women’s Hebrew Bible" (T& T Clark, 2007)

Sponsored by:
Greater Newburyport Clergy Association representing:
Annunciation Greek Orthodox
Bellevue Congregational
Christian Science
Congregation Ahavas Ahim
First Parish Newbury
First Presbyterian - Old SouthFirst Religious Society
Hope Community
Immaculate Conception
People’s United Methodist
Salvation Army
St. Paul’s Episcopal
Annunciation Greek Orthodox

March 5-7, 2009 in Dallas, TX at SMU's Perkins School of Theology

Here is another event that you might enjoy attending:
"Perkins Theological School for the Laity"
From March 5-7, 2009

For more information, click here: http://smu.edu/theology/public_progs/PTSL/laity_main.html

My course is on Saturday. Check it out at http://smu.edu/theology/public_progs/PTSL/courses.html#s3

Looking forward to seeing you there.
Tschüs!

Houston Lay School of Theology on Jan. 24, 2009

Come to Houston on January 24, 2009 and join my session at the Houston Lay School of Theology!

http://smu.edu/theology/public_progs/LaySchool/Houstonmain.html
http://smu.edu/theology/public_progs/LaySchool/HoustonSch.html


Eve and Adam in the Twenty-First Century
An Introduction to Gendered Bible Readings

This course explores the history of feminist approaches to the Hebrew Bible, engages in interactive “play,” examines the contributions of several feminist scholars, and provides conversation and text work focused on Eve, Rahab, Jezebel and Ruth as “other” women.

Please bring your Old Testament Bible.


Suggested Reading
Introducing the Women’s Hebrew Bible, Susanne Scholz
Available at http://www.womenshebrewbible.com/buythebook.html
or any bookstore (online and offline)



For more information on the Lay School of Theology Program, visit this website http://smu.edu/theology/public_progs/LaySchool/Houstonmain.html

Questions? Email me at sscholz@smu.edu or author@womensHebrewBible.com.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Houston!

Yours truly,
s2
http://www.womenshebrewbible.com/

SBL meeting in Boston November 2008

In case you missed my talks at the SBL meeting in Boston 2008, I am listing them here so that you can keep track of what was going on there:

1. "A 'Third-Kind' of Feminist Reading: Toward a Sociology of Feminist Biblical Hermeneutics.” Paper presented at the program united “Feminist Interpretation of the Bible” of this year’s topic “Exploring the Parameters of Feminist Methodologies,” Boston, MA, November 24, 2008.

2. “Dialogical Beginnings: Introductory Statement.” Paper presented with Dora Mbuwayesanga at the panel “Socio-Geographical and Hermeneutical Differences: Challenges and Opportunities in Contemporary Feminist Biblical Studies,” at the Society of Biblical Literature, Boston, MA, November 23, 2008.