Bible and Ethics

Call For Papers: This year we will have one methodological session (on “The Use of Older Biblical Traditions Related to Ethical Topics by Later Biblical Authors”) and a thematic session on “(Social) Justice and Equality: Is Equality a Central Element of (Social) Justice in the Bible?”. In addition, there will be a joint session with the section "Bible and Ethical Interpretation" on the topic "Ethics and Election: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Interpretations of ´Chosenness´ in the Bible." We invite paper proposals for all three sessions. For the first two sessions, potential presenters are expected to include an analysis of (a) specific biblical text(s) and not only focus on a discussion of various interpretative theories or other scholars´ interpretation of the relevant material. Regarding the session on "(Social) Justice and Equality," the presenters are also encouraged to look at similarities and differences between OT and NT or between one of the two Testaments and relevant extra-biblical material. The joint session on "Ethics and Election" addresses the following questions: What does it mean to be God's "chosen" and what are the moral implications, if any? What are the implications for the "enemies" of God's chosen people? Does a commitment to election inevitably result in violence toward the non-chosen? In his new book, Putting God Second, Donniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, explores the positive and negative moral implications of chosenness. His book asks, in part, "Why are the great monotheistic faiths ... chronically unable to fulfill their own self-professed goal of creating individuals fused with moral sensitivity and societies governed by the highest ethical standards?" We invite proposals that address the moral implications of election especially (but not exclusively) when election results in power inequality and even violence. All proposals should engage scriptural texts in dialogue with theological and/or ethical concerns.

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