medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
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PHILADELPHIA SEMINAR ON CHRISTIAN ORIGINS
in its 42nd year
an Interdisciplinary Humanities Seminar
under the auspices of the
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Religious Studies
201 Logan Hall
with support from
the Penn Humanities Forum
TOPIC FOR 2004-2005: The Impact of Astrological (and Related) Traditions on Early
Jewish and Christian Perspective
While astrology today is relegated to dubious status in the back pages of
newspapers, in the ancient world there was no question as to the impact of the
stars on human beings. The power gained through knowledge of astrology was at times
troubling and terrifying, but rarely, if ever, discounted. Astrological ideas are
reflected in all manner of Greco-Roman, Jewish, and Christian traditions, from the
vivid Jewish synagogue floor mosaics to the Star of Bethlehem and the attendant
arrival of the Magi to Paul's use of technical terminology drawn from astrology and
beyond. Given the widespread impact of astrology, then, it is surprising that these
traditions have received relatively little scholarly attention. It is our hope to
use this year of PSCO to generate an ongoing conversation involving scholars of
early Christianity, scholars of early Judaism, and other students of late antiquity
in an examination of the role of astrological traditions in the Greco-Roman world,
and especially in early Judaism and Christianity.
Co-Chairs:
Todd C. Krulak (University of Pennsylvania) [log in to unmask]
Sarah L. Schwarz (Haverford College/University of Pennsylvania)
[log in to unmask]
Secretary:
Harry Tolley (Univ of Pennsylvania) [log in to unmask]
Webmaster:
Jay C. Treat (University of Pennsylvania) [log in to unmask]
THE SECOND MEETING OF THE 2004-05 YEAR will be held on Thursday,
11 November 2004, from 7:30-9:30 pm in Room 402, Logan Hall at the University of
Pennsylvania. Please note the change of time and location, due to a need for
special projection equipment for Jodi's presentation. Room 402 is at the top of the
main stairs (and elevator) in Logan Hall. If you must leave at the normal 9 pm
concluding hour, we will understand.
Persons wishing to dine with other participants prior to the seminar should meet at
6:15 pm at Logan Hall, Second Floor Lounge (southeast of Locust Walk and 36th
Street Walk) or go directly to the Food Court in the basement of Houston Hall (just
east of Logan, along Spruce Street), where an international variety of food choices
is available at reasonable prices and plenty of table space for us to appropriate.
PROGRAM:
Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Heaven on Earth: Helios and the Zodiac Cycle in Ancient Palestinian Synagogues"
(illustrated)
SAN ANTONIO MEETING:
Following the emerging tradition, THE THIRD MEETING OF THE 2004-05 YEAR WILL BE
HELD on Friday 19 November, in San Antonio at the AAR/SBL annual meeting. We are
scheduled for Conference Room 8 in the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, from 7:00
pm to 8:30 pm (presumably we can stay later if we wish). Further details about the
program will be forthcoming. (If someone would like to organize a pre-seminar group
meal, or would like to be included in such, please let me know.)
Bob Kraft, coordinator
PSCO website = http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/psco/
--
Robert A. Kraft, Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
227 Logan Hall (Philadelphia PA 19104-6304); tel. 215 898-5827
[log in to unmask]
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/rak/kraft.html
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