Research Project on Paul and the Jews

 


New perspectives on Paul and the Jews

 

Theme


The twenty-first century is proving to be a challenging time for Jewish-Christian relations. 2008-2009 is the bi-millennial anniversary of Paul’s birth, a figure not unproblematic for Jewish-Christian dialogue. On different levels initiatives are being taken to promote Paul and his legacy. Our Leuven interdisciplinary research project on the New Perspectives on Paul and the Jews is seeking to address the issue of Paul and his relationship to Judaism in an academic setting. An important feature of our project consists in the fact that the exegetical issues are being discussed in a larger hermeneutical, theological and dialogical framework.

The academic seminar will allow for scholars from various disciplines to enter into dialogue with one another and exchange expertise on different aspects of Paul and their relevance for Jewish-Christian Dialogue. The goal of this seminar is to provide the opportunity for high-level academic discussion.

The conference is organised around 8 topics:

  1. What nomenclatures best represent the Judaism that Paul was in dialogue with: covenantal nomism, variegated nomism, ethical monotheism, etc.? What are the notions of covenant or works-righteousness that lie behind the use of these terms?
  2. Is covenant a central notion in Paul? What are the merits of a semantic domain linkage between diatheke and dikaiosyne? Can one argue for an embedded covenantal framework in Paul’s thought? If so, does this framework supersede the Mosaic covenant (cp. 2 Cor 3:7-18)?
  3. What is the relationship between creation and covenant in Paul’s thinking, specifically the motif of kaine diatheke and kaine ktisis (2 Cor 3 and 5 respectively)?
  4. Does Paul move away from an Israel kata sarka to a notion of Israel kata pneuma? Is the new reality the ekklesia tou theou? Is this church part of, or distinct from, Israel?
  5. Was Paul Torah-observant? Did Paul’s Christ transcend the Law, embody it or something else? Is Paul in continuity or discontinuity with the prophetic reading of the Law? Is Paul an interpreter or manipulator of Israel’s scriptures?
  6. What is the relationship between Pauline studies and Jewish-Christian dialogue? Should Pauline studies take into account the post-Shoah context of contemporary ecumenical and interreligious dialogue between Christians and Jews?
  7. Are the classical interreligious and soteriological models of exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism acceptable or useful for Christian/Jewish dialogue? How do they relate to the typical dialogical positions of single and double covenant schemes? What is the best way forward?
  8. Are the religious ends of Christianity and Judaism compatible? Is the church in mission with or in mission to the Jews? How should this apparent tension be portrayed in homiletics, liturgy, catechetics, etc?

Programme

The programme will consist of offered papers and panel discussions. The following scholars have already confirmed their participation:

The seminar is now concluded and pictures of the two-day seminar are now available. We would like to thank all participants for their attendance and contribution to a successful seminar.

Organisation

The conference is organised by the Faculty of Theology, KU Leuven, with the support of the Flemish Scientific Research Foundation (FWO Vlaanderen) and the University Research Council (Onderzoeksraad) of the KU Leuven.

                   

Organising Committee:

  • Prof. Dr. Reimund Bieringer, K.U. Leuven, Belgium
  • Prof. Dr. Didier Pollefeyt, KU Leuven, Belgium
  • David Bolton (PhD candidate), K.U. Leuven, Belgium
  • Emmanuel Nathan (PhD candidate), K.U. Leuven, Belgium

Practical info

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us at the address below:

Academic Seminar – New Perspectives on Paul and the Jews
David Bolton / Emmanuel Nathan
Faculty of Theology
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
St.-Michielsstraat 6
B-3000 Leuven

Phone: +32-16-328447
E-mail: David.Bolton@theo.kuleuven.be or Emmanuel.Nathan@theo.kuleuven.be

How to Get to Leuven?

The conference will take place in the Faculty of Theology, located in the centre of Leuven. Leuven is located 25 km from Brussels and easily accessible. Please note that Leuven (in French: Louvain) is NOT the same town as Louvain-la-Neuve, which is situated in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

When arriving in Belgium by plane at Brussels Airport, information about how to travel to and from the Airport can be found on the Brussels Airport Official Website. The easiest way to travel to Leuven is by train or by taxi.

The railway station at Brussels Airport is located in the basement (level -1) of the terminal building. There are direct train connections from the airport to Leuven every 30 minutes. Timetable information and ticket prices for the whole of Belgium (and international trains) are available in Dutch, English, French and German on the Belgian Railways website.

More information on how to reach the KU Leuven?
http://www.kuleuven.be/transportation/