The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages: Where Are We Now? – Call For Papers

The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages: Where Are We Now?
St Hilda’s College, Oxford
18 February, 2017

A one day colloquium on medieval biblical commentary, exegesis, and the legacy of Beryl Smalley

In association with Oxford Medieval Studies, sponsored by The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH)

This meeting aims to bring together scholars working in the field of medieval intellectual history to discuss new developments in the study of the Bible, how and why we approach biblical commentaries, and how the discipline has developed and changed since the publication of Beryl Smalley’s seminal work, The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages, in 1941.

Proposals for 20 minute papers are sought from scholars working on any aspect of medieval biblical commentary, biblical interpretation, or biblical exegesis between c.1000 and c.1400. Proposals from graduate students, or those working on medieval theology outside western Europe, are particularly welcome.

The title, ‘The Study of the Bible’, is to be interpreted broadly. Possible paper topics might include, but are not limited to:

  • Research on particular theologians or particular texts or manuscripts
  • The study of the Bible beyond Paris
  • Re-thinking the old issue of the relationship between ‘monastic’ and ‘scholastic’ theology and biblical commentary
  • The connection between biblical exegesis and political thought and action
  • The relationship between the glossa ordinaria and other biblical commentaries
  • How current historians are using the insights of Beryl Smalley in their own work
  • Pedagogy: how (and why) to teach medieval theology to students

Proposals of c.250 words should be sent to philippa.byrne@history.ox.ac.uk by 15 October, 2016, who can also be contacted with queries or expressions of interest.

Further information can be found at the colloquium website: https://studyofthebible.wordpress.com