New Book Notice: “Death of Scripture”

Legaspi, M.  The Death of Scripture and the Rise of Biblical Studies, (Oxford, 2010), ISBN 0199845883

From the Blurb:

The Death of Scripture and the Rise of Biblical Studies examines the creation of the academic Bible. Beginning with the fragmentation of biblical interpretation in the centuries after the Reformation, Michael Legaspi shows how the weakening of scriptural authority in the Western churches altered the role of biblical interpretation. Focusing on renowned German scholar Johann David Michaelis (1717-1791), Legaspi explores the ways in which critics reconceived the role of the Bible. This book offers a new account of the origins of biblical studies, illuminating the relation of the Bible to churchly readers, theological interpreters, academic critics, and people in between. It explains why, in an age of religious resurgence, modern biblical criticism may no longer be in a position to serve as the Bible’s disciplinary gatekeeper.

Barker on the Great High Priest at St. Vladimir

Margaret Barker was recently invited to give the Fr. Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary.  An audio and print copy of her presentation can be found online here.

Here is a question, and  her answer found only at the end of the audio presentation at59:00:30

Q.  Why [are] people of the Mormon faith interested in your work; maybe again you can explain their attraction to temple worship.

A. Well, you never know whose going read your books.  And many years ago now, I was contacted by a leading scholar of the Latter-day Saints and he came to see me when he was in England.  And he said when had read this particular book, The Great Angel, he couldn’t believe it hadn’t been written by one of their community.  And he was intrigued how somebody working outside their community, just using the conventional tools of scholarship could come up with something very, very similar–usually identical to their teachings.  And we explored this and I have developed a very happy relationship with many top Mormon scholars, really good biblical scholars, who know their temple stuff.  And what they come up with and what I’ve come up with is just about identical.  So I work with Mormons because, in terms of temple scholarship, they are the best available.  Full stop.

1 Nephi 11:19-31

Exploration of 1 Nephi 11:19-31: Virgin Mary; Lamb of God; love of God; Tree of Life; waters of life; condescension of the Holy Ghost; calling of the Twelve; ministry of angels; The Lamb heals and casts out demons

1- Detailed notes: 1 Neph 11:19-31

2- Link to Video on Youtube.

3- Audio podcast on TalkShoe. MP3 Audio for download for iTunes or iPods. (Look in the most recent (top) file in the “Past Episodes” section at the bottom.)

1 Nephi 11:8-18

Exploration of 1 Nephi 11:8-18:  Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life; the symbolic nature of “white” in the BOM; the “Spirit of the Lord” as the reincarnate Christ; the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God

1- Detailed notes: Notes on 1 Neph 11:8-18

2- Link to Video on Youtube.

3-  Audio podcast on TalkShoe.  MP3 Audio for download for iTunes or iPods.  (Look in the most recent (top) file in the “Past Episodes” section at the bottom.)

Here is a bibliography on the Virgin Mary as understood by Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

1 Nephi 11:1-7

Exploration of 1 Nephi 11:1-7:  pondering, “caught away”; mountain theophany, doxology; divine titles; LORD/Yahweh in the BOM; son of the Most High; prophetic signs; man descending out of heaven

1- Detailed notes: Notes on 1 Neph 11:1-7

2- Link to Video on Youtube.

3-  Audio podcast on TalkShoe.  MP3 Audio for download for iTunes or iPods.  (Look in the most recent (top) file in the “Past Episodes” section at the bottom.)

Bibliography on Nephi’s Apocalypse (1 Nephi 11-15)

Let me know if I missed anything.

Bibliography on 1 Nephi 11-15 ( Click here for pdf of bibliography)

TMFS = Belnap, D. et. al.  (eds.), The Things My Father Saw: Approaches to Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision, (RSC, 2011)

Driggs, “Nephi’s Vision and the Loss and Restoration of Plain and Precious Truths” TMFS 70-91

Easton-Flake, A. “Lehi’s Dream as a Template for Understanding Each Act of Nephi’s Vision,” TMFS 179-198

Gardner, B. Second Witness 1:198-267

Halverson, J. “Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision as Apocalyptic Literature,” TMFS 63-69

Hardy, G. “Prophetic Perspectives: How Lehi and Nephi Applied the Lessons of Lehi’s Dream” TMFS 199-213

Nibley, H. “The Passing of Primitive Church” CWHN 4:168-208

Nibley, H. “Prophecy in the Book of Mormon: The Three Periods” CWHN 7:410-435

Peterson, D. “Nephi and His Asherah,” in D. Bitton, ed. Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World: Studies in Honor of John L. Sorenson, (FARMS, 1998) 191-243

Seely, D. “Condescension of God” BMRC 213

Strathern, G. “Nephi’s Vision” BMRC 603-605

Swift, C. “Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life: Understanding the Dream as Visionary Literature,” JBMS 14/2 (2005): 52-63

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=14&num=2&id=378

Volluz, C. “Lehi’s Dream of the Tree of Life: Springboard to Prophecy,” JBMS 2/2 (1993): 14-38

http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=2&num=2&id=30

 

Great and Abominable Church

Robinson, S. “Great and Abominable Church” BMRC 310-315

Robinson, S. “Early Christianity and 1 Nephi 13-14” in M. Nyman and C. Tate, eds. First Nephi: The Doctrinal Foundation, (RSC 1988) 177-191

Robinson, S. “Warring against the Saints of God” Ensign 18 (Jan. 1988) 34-39

Robinson, S. “Nephi’s ‘Great and Abominable Church’” JBMS 7/1 (1998): 32-39

Wright, D. “Great and Abominable Church” EM 2: = TAW 113-114