Monday, November 23, 2009

ETS/IBR/SBL 2009 Reflections, Part One

I am sitting in the airport trying to get back to Chicago after a good week at both ETS and SBL. I accidentally got myself involved in two sessions at ETS so I attended the whole three days. I offered a paper on Thursday entitled: "Is the mission of Jesus universal in the Fourth Gospel? And Are the Gentiles in John?". This was meant to be a provocative look at the question of the purpose of the Gospel in view of John 11:49-53 and the less than explicit references to Gentiles in the Gospel. This is something I've been thinking about for some time and I think is a set of questions worth exploring.

The second session I was involved in was in the Synoptic Gospels session on Friday afternoon. The topic was recent commentaries on Matthew and Mark. I was asked to review R.T. France's commentary. I will make it available for the blog in the very near future. It was a great time as I mucked it up with Ben Witherington, Darrell Bock, Nick Perrin and others. The session as a whole was rather laborious when I wasn't involved, but the discussion at the end was good fun.

4 comments:

Justin Dodson said...

I was able to make it to a couple of the final commentary reviews of the latter session you were involved with, and I am with you that it was quite mind numbing at points (although being exposed to the sapiential perspective on Matthew between Perrin and Witherington was great). But the final discussion amongst the group was very stimulating. I don't think I could have ended my first visit to ETS any better, as it was fun to listen in on all of your brains as you thought out loud. I look forward to seeing your review when you get is posted.

Christopher W. Skinner said...

Joel,

It was good to connect with you, even if briefly, during SBL. We need to do a better job of staying in touch. Have a great Thanksgiving with Karla and the kids.

Chris Skinner

Anonymous said...

Chris: It was great to hang with you. I hope that your interview went well with Seattle. Do let me know how things go. You are a testimony of perseverance and faith.

Andrew R said...

Joel,
Great to see you in NOLA. I was glad to hear your stories about raising kids. I really have no idea what I'm in for, I think....
Andrew