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The Society of Biblical Literature is the oldest and largest international scholarly membership organization in the field of biblical studies. Founded in 1880, the Society has grown to over 8,500 international members including teachers, students, religious leaders and individuals from all walks of life who share a mutual interest in the critical investigation of the Bible.
The Society’s mission to foster biblical scholarship is a simple, comprehensive statement that encompasses the Society’s aspirations. Our vision is to offer members opportunities for mutual support, intellectual growth, and professional development.
Mission, Visions, and Values
The following Mission Statement and Strategic Vision Statements were adopted by the SBL Council May 16, 2004.
Mission Statement:
Foster Biblical Scholarship
Strategic Vision Statements:
- Advance the academic study of biblical literature and its cultural contexts
- Collaborate with educational institutions and other appropriate organizations to support biblical scholarship and teaching
- Develop resources for diverse audiences, including students, religious communities and the general public
- Facilitate broad and open discussion from a variety of perspectives
- Offer members opportunities for mutual support, intellectual growth, and professional development as teachers and scholars
- Organize congresses for scholarly exchange
- Publish biblical scholarship
Core Values
| Accountability |
Inclusiveness |
| Collaboration |
Leadership in biblical scholarship |
| Collegiality |
Productivity |
| Commitment |
Responsiveness to change |
| Communication |
Scholarly integrity |
| Efficiency |
Tolerance |
SBL History
The eight founders of The Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis first met to discuss their new society in Philip Schaff's study in New York City in January of 1880. In June the group had their first Annual Meeting with eighteen people in attendance. The new society drew up a constitution and by-laws and discussed several papers. Membership dues were set at three dollars. By the end of the year, membership had grown to fourty-five and publication of the meeting proceedings were in the planning stages. The Journal was launched the following year.
For more information on the history of the Society see:
Searching the Scriptures: A History of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1880-1980 Ernest W. Saunders
Also available on-line >>
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Society Governance/ SBL Committees
Distinguished biblical scholars lead the Society. Fourteen members are elected to serve on its governing board, the Council, which determines general policies and program initiatives and appoints committees, editors, and representatives to assist in fulfilling the mission and in conducting regular business.
Past Presidents of SBL
2008 Presidential Address
Jonathan Z. Smith, University of Chicago
Religion and the Bible (45 min)
David J. A. Clines, University of Sheffield, Presiding
The Luce Center on the Campus of Emory University
Financials
Society Report
The Society Report is published yearly and gives an overview of the organization. It is made available to members at the Annual Meeting and electronically.
Society Report 2009
Society Report 2008
Society Report 2007
Society Report 2006
Society Report 2005
Society Report 2004
Society Report 2003
Society Report 2002
SBL works with many different organizations and institutions.These affiliations enrich and broadened the spectrum of resources that the society can offer members. SBL values the relationship with these organizations whether they are ongoing, due to a confluence of mission, or if they are a temporary joint focus on one project.
Affiliations and Partnerships
American Academy of Religion
Association of American University Presses (AAUP)
American Council of Learned Societies
American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
American Schools of Oriental Research
Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
Coalition on the Academic Workforce (CAW)
Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
Eugene A. Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship at the American Bible Society
International Organization for Masoretic Studies
International Organization for Septuagint & Cognate Studies
National Association of Professors of Hebrew
National Humanities Alliance
Pontifical Biblical Institute
Oriental Institute University of Chicago
Project Affiliations
Codex Sinaiticus Digitalization Initiative
Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards
International Organization for Standardization
Open Scriptural Information Standard Project
Text Encoding Initiative
Online Cultural Heritage Research Environment
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