John – Jesus – History A program unit of the Society of Biblical Literature

Statement of Purpose

The "John, Jesus, and History Group" highlights issues related to the Johannine tradition and the composition-history of the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Epistles, with special emphasis on the place of these documents in contemporary study of Christian origins. Dialogue on these issues is encouraged through the group's annual meetings and through other venues throughout the year.

Program Overview

• PHASE ONE:
  • Consultation Sessions 2002-2004
  • Published papers now available in John, Jesus, and History: Volume 1 (in the SBL's "Symposium Series")
     
• PHASE TWO:
  • Aspects of Historicity in John 13-21 (Nov. 17-20, 2007, in San Diego, CA)
  • Aspects of Historicity in John 5-12 (Nov. 18-21, 2006, in Washington, DC)
  • Aspects of Historicity in John 1-4 (Nov. 19-22, 2005, in Philadelphia, PA)
  • Published papers now available in John, Jesus, and History: Volume 2 (in the SBL's "Early Christianity and Its Literature" series)
     
• PHASE THREE:
  • The Passion of Jesus (Nov. 21-25, 2008, in Boston, MA)
  • The Works of Jesus (Nov. 20-24, 2009, in New Orleans, LA)
  • The Words of Jesus (Nov. 19-23, 2010, in Atlanta, GA)
       
• Future SBL Meetings:
  • Nov. 18-22, 2011 in San Francisco, CA
  • Nov. 16-20, 2012 in Chicago, IL
  • Nov. 22-26, 2013 in Baltimore, MD
  • See the SBL Website for further updates

Call for Papers: 2008-2010 Overview

The JJH Group will host two sessions at each of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature (in addition to co-sponsoring some special sessions with other program units). During these years the discussion will focus on the following aspects of Jesus' life and ministry:

• for 2008, papers relating to the Passion of Jesus;
• for 2009, papers relating to the Works of Jesus;
• for 2010, papers relating to the Words of Jesus.

Proposals on general methodological issues will be considered for any session, but it will be most helpful if method papers can connect to the topic for the year in question. Please note also that we welcome proposals reflecting a wide variety of perspectives, including both those that defend and those that reject the "historicity" of the Johannine Literature. All proposals should be submitted through the Society of Biblical Literature website, using the appropriate online form (see http://www.sbl-site.org).

Call for Papers: 2010

The John, Jesus, and History Group launches the third year in the third phase of its program: “Glimpses of Jesus through the Johannine Lens,” focusing on the words of Jesus as presented in the Fourth Gospel. Its two invited sessions will involve a joint session with the Historical Jesus Section addressing the use of the Fourth Gospel in Jesus research and a session of invited papers on “Glimpses of the Words of Jesus through the Johannine Lens.” An open session on that topic will also be offered, and proposals are welcome on the Words of Jesus in John. A second open session will feature “Archaeology and the Fourth Gospel,” and papers are especially welcome on such topics as: the stone pavement in Jerusalem, Gabbatha, stone water jars, Bethsaida, Cana, Ephraim, the Sheep Gate, the treasury in the Temple, houses in Capernaum, the rebuilt Synagogue in Capernaum, Magdala, Bethsaida, Aenon near Salim, Bethany, the garden across the Kidron valley, Pilate’s praetorium, Jewish burial customs, the courtyard of the high priest, Jewish festivals (Booths, Dedication, Passover), etc. Inquiries on particular topics are welcome, and encouraged.

Steering Committee

• Paul Anderson, George Fox University - Co-chair
• Jaime Clark-Soles, Perkins School of Theology, SMU - Co-chair
• Mary Coloe, PBVM, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne
• Alan Culpepper, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University
• Felix Just, SJ, Loyola Institute for Spirituality
• D. Moody Smith, Duke University Divinity School
• Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University

Associated Publications

• See our page listing Recently Published and Forthcoming Books related to the interests of this group: the relationship of the Gospel of John and the Historical Jesus.
• You can also purchase these books through the Johannine Literature aStore, set up in association with Amazon.com.

Oneline Notices

• Bible and Interpretation - http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/john1357917.shtml
• Bill's "Faith Matters" Weblog - http://billtammeus.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/21110.html

LINKS and RESOURCES:

 
THE  SOCIETY  OF  BIBLICAL  LITERATURE
Homepage of the largest professional association devoted to biblical studies.

See also the Homepage of the JOHANNINE LITERATURE SECTION of the Society of Biblical Literature
 

THE  JOHANNINE  LITERATURE  WEB
Resources for the academic study of the Fourth Gospel and the Letters of John.

This website is sponsored by the Steering Committee of the John, Jesus, and History Group.

For questions about the John, Jesus, and History Group, please contact one of the following:
Prof. Paul N. Anderson, panderso--at--georgefox.edu
Prof. Jaime Clark-Soles, jaimecs--at--smu.edu
Prof. Tom Thatcher, tom.thatcher--at--ccuniversity.edu

For comments about this website, please contact the webmaster:
Felix Just, SJ, fjust--at--calprov.org