Bodies, Borders, Believers: Ancient Texts and Present Conversations

Description

This stimulating collection of essays by prominent scholars honours Turid Karlsen Seim, the prominent Norwegian theologian. “Bodies, Borders, Believers” brings together biblical scholars, ecumenical theologians, archaeologists, classicists, art historians, and church historians to probe the past and its reception in the present. The contributions discuss Seim’s broad research interests, covering such themes as gender analysis, bodily practices, and ecumenical dialogue. Many scholarly traditions, theoretical orientations and methodological approaches are represented through the international group of contributors, making this book an interdisciplinary and border-crossing endeavour. Anne Hege Grung is an Associate Professor at the Practical Theological Seminary in Oslo. She is the author of “Gender Justice in Muslim-Christian Reading”s. Marianne Bjelland Kartzow is Professor of New Testament Studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo. She is the author of “Gossip and Gender” (2009) and “Destabilizing the Margins” (2012). Anna Rebecca Solevåg is Associate Professor at the School of Mission and Theology, Stavanger, Norway. She is the author of “Birthing Salvation” (2013). “These articles refuse to be segregated on one side of any border, present conversations setting parameters for complementary readings of Scriptures, ancient texts complicating contemporary categories, thus embodying the pioneering spirit of the scholar honoured by this strong, consistent, genre-defying collection.” Jennifer A. Glancy, Author of “Slavery in Early Christianity” and “Corporal Knowledge: Early Christian Bodies”. “A tribute to the first woman with a doctoral degree in theology from a Norwegian university, by some of her students and colleagues, this volume showcases the broad orientation of Seim’s theological interests spanning from exegesis via social reception history to ecumenical theology. It also presents samples of what is by now a coherent trajectory: the ‘Oslo School’ of gender-critical work on early Christian texts – one of whose main inspirations is Professor Seim herself!” Jorunn Økland, Professor, University of Oslo. “In this volume, scholars take the body seriously as a site for theologising; explore the borders between life and death, women and men, and Christians and Muslims; and discuss how belief can unite, not just divide.” Bernadette J. Brooten, Robert and Myra Kraft Professor of Christian Studies, Brandeis University.