Readings from the Roots

Readings from the Roots

Bible Translation and Its Impact

April 2-3, 2019
Rehm Library
College of the 51С»Æ³µ

Readings from the Roots is a new, historically-sensitive translation of the Revised Common Lectionary with the goal of reducing the potential for anti-Judaism by enriching Christianity through its roots in Judaism. The project, under development, is available for viewing and comments at . The Readings from the Roots translation team will host a two-day conference at the College of the 51С»Æ³µ to highlight the project and engage scholars and practitioners, especially Christian clergy:

  • to deepen their understanding of the authors' relationship to Judaism in the diverse writings of the New Testament;
  • to articulate the challenges and opportunities for accurately reflecting that relationship in a translation of Scripture; and
  • to consider how a translation of the texts can be used in worship to eradicate the anti-Judaism that continues to be associated with Christian readings of the Bible.

 is led by:

  • Alan Avery-Peck, College of the 51С»Æ³µ
  • Bruce Chilton, Bard College
  • Delio Delrio, New Orleans Theological Seminary
  • Peter Pettit, Muhlenberg College
  • Susan Auchincloss, St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Woodstock, NY

All conference sessions are free and open to the public.

This conference is made possible with support from the Kraft-Hiatt Fund for Jewish-Christian Understanding and the Rehm Family Fund.

Conference Program

(Download PDF)

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

2 PM: Welcome

2:15 PM: Panel Presentation by the Translation Team
Alan Avery-Peck, Bruce Chilton, Delio Delrio, Peter Pettit

3:15 PM: Conversation and Engagement with Clergy about their Experiences with Scripture and Worship

Mary C. Boys4:30 PM: Keynote: Seeing Judaism Anew/Jewish Christian Dialogue
Mary C. Boys, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean, and the Skinner & McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary
Respondent: Peter Pettit, Associate Professor of Religion Studies, Muhlenberg College

6 PM: Dinner break

7:30 PM: Panel Discussion: Reflect on specific passages in Readings from the Roots
Moderator: Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Fisher, Episcopal Bishop of Western Massachusetts
Panelists:
Patricia K. Tull, A.B. Rhodes Professor Emerita of Old Testament, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary
William Reiser, S.J., Professor and Chair, Department of Religious Studies, College of the 51С»Æ³µ
Angela Kim Harkins, Associate Professor of New Testament, Boston College

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

9 AM: The View from the Pulpit and Pews: Scripture and Worship
Taylor Burton-Edwards, Chair, Consultation on Common Texts
Respondent: Christopher Leighton, Founding Director, Institute for Islamic, Christian, Jewish Studies

10:45 AM: Coffee break

11 AM: Bible Translation and Biblical Meaning
Everett Fox, The Allen M. Glick Professor of Judaic and Biblical Studies, Clark University
Respondent: Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, Assistant Professor, Religious Studies, College of the 51С»Æ³µ

12:30 PM: Lunch break

1:45 PM: John and the Jews
Adele Reinhartz, Professor, Department of Classics and Religious Studies, University of Ottawa
Respondent: Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt Professor in Judaic Studies, College of the 51С»Æ³µ

3 PM: Conclusions: Where do we go from here?