Synchronicity is a Thing—Sixth Day of a 10 day Virtual Academic Conference in 2020
Expecting a live stream, I planned my day and family life around this SBLAAR20 scheduled event. You can imagine how disappointed I was to find the address was pre-recorded. The one social comfort of the virtual conference is that I am not alone in my schedule. I join hundreds of others with similar interests and academic pursuits. This sort of prerecorded posting, linked to watching at any time, counters the inclusive nature of a conference. Even a virtual conference should have synchronicity. It is one of the few features of a conference available by virtual means.
Dr. Adele Reinhartz gave a presentation called “The Hermeneutics of Chutzpah: A Disquisition on the Value/s of ‘Critical Investigation of the Bible.'” This was scheduled for a specific time on the day of the conference.
In the presidential address, Dr. Reinhartz aligns the Yiddish term chutzpah as a challenge against power structures, with the Afro-American term sass, as a description of the language of challenge against oppressive authorities. She calls for scholars to identify systemic discrimination and form a response that makes way for inclusion.
The heart of her message asks us all to acknowledge our interests, especially those who are least like us. By thinking about the ‘other,’ we work toward health as a whole. As biblical scholars, we must reflect on how the Bible as a text has been weaponized against others, specifically addressing the use of the Bible to promote slavery in the United States.
Dr. Reinhartz proposes that the Society of Biblical Literature avoid representing as a small core with spokes leading outward, but rather as a large and warm reception. She advocates a vision that avoids exclusivity and encourages respectful engagement. In this way, the Society should work toward enacting an ethical commitment to the ‘other.’
About this event
Society of Biblical Literature/American Academy of Religion (SBLAAR) is an Annual Academic Conference that extends Nationally, Internationally, and Regionally. This is the first year it is running online as a virtual conference. Usually, it is held in a large metropolitan city in the United States. Read about #SBLAAR presentations. Also, read about other academic conferences.
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.
