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 THREE:
  • The Words of Jesus (Nov. 19-23, 2010, in Atlanta, GA)
  • The Works of Jesus (Nov. 20-24, 2009, in New Orleans, LA)
  • The Passion of Jesus (Nov. 21-25, 2008, in Boston, MA)
     
• 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 ONE:
  • Consultation Sessions 2002-2004
  • Published papers now available in John, Jesus, and History: Volume 1 (in the SBL's "Symposium Series")
     
• 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: 2009

In its third triennium, the John, Jesus, and History Group is focusing now on "Glimpses of Jesus through the Johannine Lens." Our sessions in 2009 will address the works of Jesus (the words of Jesus in 2010), and we will host an invited session and an open session. Successful proposals should include: a) some statement about gradations of certainty regarding the degree to which a particular presentation in John contributes to Jesus research (range including: certainly not, probably not, not likely, questionable, possible, plausible, probably, certainly), and b) an articulation of why one's assertion is tenable. All views are welcome, but critical substantiation will be expected of negative judgments as well as positive ones.
Sessions on two additional topics will also be hosted in 2009, and possibly in 2010. First, "Archaeology and the Gospel of John" will invite papers that connect some feature of archaeological research with places, topography, and mundane references in the Fourth Gospel. While some papers are invited, papers are still welcome on such sites as the transjordan baptizing of John, Bethsaida, Cana, stone jars, the reconstruction and destruction of the temple, Aenon near Salim, Gerizim, Jacob's well, Sychar, the Pool of Beth-zatha, the Sheep Gate, the Sea of Galilee/Tiberias, Tiberias, Kerioth, Magdala, Nazareth, Capernaum, the Capernaum synagogue, the temple treasury, the Pool of Siloam, the Portico of Solomon, Bethany, Bethany tombs and stones, the Kidron valley, the high priest's courtyard, Pilate's praetorium, the stone pavement/Gabbatha, Golgotha, Roman crucifixion/nails, Roman execution inscriptions, tombs in Jerusalem, embalming practices, fishing in Galilee, etc. Papers will be summarized; photos are especially welcome! A second extra session will address "Methodological Approaches to Johannine Historiography in Service to Jesus Research." Most papers have been invited, but inquiries and proposals are still welcome.

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

Related 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.

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