"Culture Counts" Online Seminar
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Jerusalem University College presents its 4th annual online seminar, “Culture Counts” on January 13, 2024. This one-day event is free and available to the public for viewing.
Culture sets the stage for the biblical narratives as we know them. Join us for three exclusive presentations that will roll back the curtain to the ancient contexts of the Bible, inviting you into Israelite households, life in the Roman army, and the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. A round table Q&A will follow the presentations.
Event Date
Saturday, January 13, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
Event Schedule
Carol Meyers has argued that in order to better understand daily life in ancient Israel and Judah, our focus must shift from the monumental places (like palaces and temples) to the common stage where daily life occurred—the home. Household archaeology does just that—it focuses on the house, its members, and the activities they engaged it. The recent excavations at Tel Halif utilized household archaeology in order to focus on its 8th century BCE dwellings; as a result, Halif is uniquely placed to help archaeologists and biblical scholars alike to better understand the cultural context of ancient Israel/Judah households. In this presentation, Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott will highlight Halif’s most recently excavated house and how it helps us understand the daily lives of ancient Israelite/Judahite households.
Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott
A 5-minute break will be provided between presentations.
The Roman army was part of the fabric of the first century Mediterranean world. Citizens and subjects of the Roman empire witnessed the presence of the Roman army not only in the occupying authorities, such as prefects and soldiers, but also in the roads, bridges, forts, and warfare. A knowledge of the workings of the Roman army is an essential cultural background for New Testament studies. This illustrated lecture will serve to introduce students to the first century Roman army.
Presenter: Dr. Carl Laney
A 5-minute break will be provided between presentations.
The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 is often used to comment on the appropriate behavior of the sisters. Is one overly busy? Is one intruding on male-dominated circles? Taking the context seriously, however, both in the composition of Luke and in the cultural expectations of the day, will refocus our attention on other details. What were the cultural expectations for hosting a Rabbi in the home? Who was allowed to learn from the teachings of a Rabbi? And how do these two sisters teach us what it means to be a good disciple?
Presenter: Dr. Cyndi Parker
A 5-minute break will be provided between presentations.
A live round table discussion will be held between the seminar presenters to close out the event.