Conferences

IOSCS Munich Review & Application Season

Although it has been almost two months now, I wanted to write a brief review of the IOSCS subcongress this past August 1-3, held just before the IOSOT Congress. The program can still be found here, and the abstracts here as of today. The Congress was well attended, but still tiny by contrast to, say, the annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting. I would estimate about seventy five attendees, most of which presented a paper. Lectures were held on Thursday evening, all day Friday into the evening, and part of Saturday, with three sessions occurring at once organized by theme (roughly). The venue, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, was stunning and far more space than our small group needed, although it was nice to be doted on by the servers at the tea breaks, and I’m certain it was the right size for the much larger IOSOT Congress which immediately followed IOSCS.

My own lecture went well, at least from my perspective. An abstract of my paper is available here, and the appendix here. I would make the paper itself available, but it will be submitted for inclusion in the published proceedings from the congress, so I had better wait. Overall, the paper was well received, although I have some misgivings about the extent to which my proposal for historical linguistic lexicography applied to LXX studies was understood by some. That probably reflects on me more than anything. Still, it was a fantastic time that I will remember fondly.

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Now that the Congress is over, I have moved into doctoral applications. These are proving quite time consuming, particularly the task of repeatedly stating my personal brilliance (or the brilliance of the institution) in various ways on each application. Far more interesting is the task of dissertation proposals. I am considering two broad topics within the (narrow) field of LXX studies. First, that of eschatology/messianism in translation, particularly in the books of Exodus and the Twelve. Secondly, lexicography in light of Koine documentary evidence, which is along the lines of my Congress paper, applied particularly to Judges. I currently am waiting to hear from two universities across the pond, which should respond in the next few weeks. One further application was made today, and likely a last will come within a few weeks. When the dust settles, I will post again, if not sooner.

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IOSCS Congress 2013 – München

In just under two months the triennial Congress of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS) will take place in Munich, Germany. As mentioned briefly in a previous post, this meeting takes place from 1-5 August, and is a sub-congress of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament (IOSOT). The schedule for the congress can be found here. I will be presenting a paper there on Friday, 2 August entitled “Lexical Possibilities in Septuagint Research: Revision and Expansion.” The subtitle is a reference to J.A.L. Lee’s introduction to his 1970 doctoral thesis, A Lexical Study of the Septuagint Version of the Pentateuch (SBLSCS 14, Atlanta, Ga.; Scholars Press, 1983), v, where he states that the work he completed is likely in need of “revision or expansion.” I am currently undertaking the research needed to check up on Lee’s conclusions, which is proving time-consuming but very fascinating. My Congress paper abstract can be viewed here, and other abstracts here.

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Seminar in Current Issues in LXX Research – Trinity Western University

In May I will be participating in a seminar entitled “Current Issues in Septuagint Studies,” held from the 27th to the 31st at Trinity Western University. The university is home to the John William Wevers Institute for Septuagint Studies (here), where several capable scholars are currently teaching and researching. They are currently “preparing volumes on the first four books of the Pentateuch for the Society of Biblical Literature Commentary on the Septuagint (SBLCS) series.” The course aims to introduce students to “the foundational principles and methodology of the SBLCS project, and to current, cutting-edge research in the discipline of Septuagint Studies” (citation here as of 4/3/13). Here is the syllabus preview, as well as a course poster.

It is my aim to use the course as an opportunity to explore research possibilities in LXX lexicography, especially in the vein of J.A.L. Lee’s somewhat outdated work in the Pentateuch. This area is of interest to me for doctoral work. I am look forward also to tailoring my work at TWU into a paper which will be presented this August 1st-3rd in Munich, Germany at the 2013 Congress of the IOSCS, held just before the IOSOT meeting.

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