Psychological Hermeneutics of Biblical Themes and Texts

Call For Papers: The psychological aspects of human life are integral to our existence, but they represent an under-examined area in Biblical Studies. Bible authors show great interest in people's capacity to cope psychologically with their circumstances, in their interpretations of life situations and in effecting change – both internally and externally. This SBL section therefore invites papers on the psychological aspects of biblical themes and texts, with the psychological interest which may be found behind the texts, in the texts themselves, and in the textual reception up to the present day. This section furthermore intends to explore what the potential would be of an examination of biblical texts towards the promotion of psychological health in societies today. For 2017 we welcome especially papers on trauma, psychological coping, encouragement, the psychological components of exile and on eco-psychology (e.g. psychological reactions to climate change). These areas may be studied by exploring symbols and archetypal images from the Bible, unconscious factors in biblical motifs and practices, psychodynamic factors related to the Bible, personalities in the Bible, religious experience and the psychology of biblical ethics. We would prefer papers which make clear use of existing psychological theories. With reference to Berlin as a multireligious city (Judaism, Christianity, Islam and secularism), family sytem theory (Murray Bowen) and peace psychology (Herbert Blumberg) have specific relevance. The intersection between biblical theology and psychology is an additional meeting of two disciplines in their own right – each with their specific questions and areas of expertise, but which also stand in a complementary relationship.

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