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Freedom\u27s Crescent: The Civil War and the Destruction of Slavery in the Lower Mississippi Valley
No full text“All One in Christ Jesus:” Physical and Moral Equality in Galatians 3:28
Full text linkGalatians 3:28 has often been interpreted as a slogan or baptismal formula that is disconnected from Paul\u27s argument in the letter. It is also often pointed to as evidence of a radically egalitarian lifestyle among early Christians, one in which ethnic, social class, and gender differences are erased in favor of complete social and political equality. This article argues that Gal 3:28 does fit well with Paul\u27s argument about the necessity of baptism for gentiles, but not circumcision, to be included as part of God\u27s salvific plan. It also makes the case that the equality suggested in 3:28 has to do with the equal capacity for all people to achieve moral goodness despite the stereotypes that certain people (in this case gentiles, slaves, and women) are incapable of doing so. This moral equality has no necessary socio-political implications associated with it, however
“And They Were All Astonished (?)” The Verb ἐκπλήσσω, Competition, and Mark’s Narrative
Full text linkThis essay discusses the key Greek verb e0kplh/ssw in Mark’s gospel, which is typically rendered as “astonished” or “amazed” in English translations. However, outside of the New Testament the term usually connotes a much more emotional, visceral response than mere amazement; relaying a sense of anger, frustration, and the threat of violence. Accordingly, I argue that standard modern renderings of this verb in Mark and the other Synoptic Gospels are not only inaccurate; they also detract from the overall depth and meaning of the passages in which it appears. Through a reexamination of this verb in concert with an analysis of the historical and social frameworks of the gospel texts, I will show how an accurate reading of e0kplh/ssw can open up new possibilities for interpreting Mark 6.1-6 and other Markan passages where the term appears. Specifically, I will argue that the verb always is used to highlight a turning point in the gospel, marked by emotional confrontations and the recurring issues of pedagogy, authority, and social status that create significant tension within the narrative. Lastly, I will highlight many interesting analogies between Mark’s itinerant prophet Jesus and texts of the moral philosophers. In doing so, a more accurate reading of the passage is possible, which can help to uncover its original first century context
A Tale of Two Fathers: Leadership Between the Estate and the Study House in the Origin Story of Eliezer ben Hyrcanus
Full text linkThe coming-of-age tale of R. Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, found in a number of late midrash collections, contains competing ideals of masculine mastery and leadership. Through analysis of the three main characters of the story, R. Eliezer, and his two fathers, Hyrcanus, and his master R. Yoḥanan b. Zakkai across the variants of the story, this article demonstrates that the spaces of the agricultural estate and the study house are idealized in competing ways in rabbinic midrash as spaces for mastery of ideals of masculine identity (success in estate management and excellence in Torah study). In addition, Hyrcanus and R. Yoḥanan are depicted with contrasting leadership styles in these spaces, alternatively caring and demanding. As R. Eliezer moves from his father’s estate to his teacher’s study house and banquet table, he eventually shows his dominance of both spaces, replacing both his father Hyrcanus and his master R. Yoḥanan
Old Meets New: Bringing Ancient Studies to Life in the Hybrid Classroom
Full text linkThe 2020-2021 academic year will forever be remembered as the “COVID-year,” which, in academia, forced instructors to rethink the ways we have taught for generations. Personally, the Fall 2020 semester presented an opportunity to teach fully in-person classes (in a Hyflex model as not all students were able to attend), fully online classes, and – the most foreign to us – hybrid classes. As the hybrid model is one with which almost no one had any experience, I will focus my reflection on one particular hybrid course, urging instructors to incorporate Active Learning strategies into their courses – both hybrid and in-person – going forward