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 (University of Pennsylvania) [log in to unmask]
Webmaster:
Jay C. Treat (University of Pennsylvania) [log in to unmask]
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE 2004-05 YEAR will be held on Thursday, 14 October 2004,
from 7-9 pm at Princeton University. The dinner and session will be held at the
Center for the Study of Religion, 5 Ivy Lane [NOT at the Religion Department as in
past years]. As you go down Washington Road (1879 Hall runs along Washington Road)
Ivy Lane is the first left (at a light) after 1879 Hall (if you come off Nassau St,
turn right onto Washington Road and Ivy Lane is the 3rd light); from Route 1 onto
Washington Road in the opposite direction, it's the 2nd light (turn right). 5 Ivy
Lane is the first building on the left (not the one on the corner) -- it looks like
a mansion. There is parking right behind or just above or in the lot just beyond.
The building is accessible via a ramp.
Please let me know ([log in to unmask]) if you plan to join us for the dinner
buffet (coldcuts, salad, etc.) so we will have some idea how much food to order.
Contributions will be accepted towards the cost of the meal, but noone should
hesitate to attend for budgetary reasons!
If you will be driving from Philadelphia to Princeton for the meeting and are
willing to take any riders, also please let me know. And let me know if you need a
ride. I will be driving, with room for about four.
PROGRAM:
David Frankfurter, University of New Hampshire, "Are Stars Good To Think With?
Thoughts on the Place of Astrology in the Greco-Roman Near East"
**PLANNING AHEAD**
THE SECOND MEETING OF THE 2004-05 YEAR will be held on Thursday,
11 November 2004, from 7-9 pm in the Second Floor Lounge, Logan Hall at the
University of Pennsylvania.
PROGRAM:
Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
[Exact topic and other details to be announced]
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 needed). Further details about the
program will be forthcoming.
With best wishes for another successful PSCO year!
Bob Kraft, coordinator
[log in to unmask]
--
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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