May 2010

Welcome to the monthly electronic publication, Teaching the Bible — TB for short. Designed to support teachers of high school Bible electives, it features easy to read and reliable resources that you can use in your classroom. Send your comments to: Moira Bucciarelli.

TB will be on hiatus until September 2010.
Have a great summer!

About the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)
The SBL was founded in 1880 and is an international academic membership organization for people who teach, study, or are interested in academic study of the Bible and its related contexts and literatures. The Society’s mission is to foster biblical scholarship and does not hold any denominational or confessional stance, though many of our members are religious leaders.

Question for Teachers

What do you find most challenging to teach in biblical literature?

Reply to: TB@sbl-site.org

(Your answers will help us know what topics to focus on in future issues.)

Feature Essays

Sacrifice in Ancient Israel
By William K. Gilders

Professor Gilders is the author of Blood Ritual in the Hebrew Bible: Meaning and Power. He provides a general overview of the functions, practices, and beliefs related to animal sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible.
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Justice in the New Testament
By Robert L. Foster

Foster focuses on a key mistranslation into English of the Hebrew and Greek words for ‘justice.’ He effectively explores its meanings in New Testament writings and its deep roots in the Hebrew Bible.
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Audio

Animal Sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible
By Ina Lipkowtiz

Professor Ina Lipkowitz of M.I.T.’s literature department shares her knowledge of food and ritual sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible.

No meat in Eden – what animal sacrifice signified (01:36)
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Function and meaning of blood in animal sacrifice (00:31)
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Role of the Temple in sacrifice (00:57)
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Logic of animal sacrifice; modern animal rights (01:29)
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Book Review

By Ina Lipkowitz

What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? Diet in Biblical Times
By Nathan MacDonald

Ina Lipkowitz reviews (positively) a new book by Nathan MacDonald on the ancient Israelite’s dietary options, drawn from textual, archaeological, and environmental data.
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