INDIANAPOLIS – Biblical scholars and students representing 36 colleges and universities from 16 states and two foreign countries assembled in Indianapolis recently for the fourteenth annual Stone-Campbell Journal (SCJ) Conference, this year sponsored by Hope International University.
The conference, held at East 91 Street Christian Church, featured three plenary speakers exploring the 2015 theme, “New Testament Explorations: Septuagint, Acts and Paul,” along with parallel sessions, study groups and a student paper competition.
Nationally-recognized scholars Dr. Karen Jobes, Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College; Dr. Carl Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament Exegesis at Emory University, and Dr. David Matson, Professor of New Testament at Hope International University provided plenary sessions.
Jobes presented two lectures: “Quoting God: The Greek Old Testament in New Testament Exegesis,” and “A Biblical Theology of LXX Psalm 33 in I Peter.” Holladay also presented two papers: “What David Saw: Psalms 6 and 110 as Messianic Speech,” and “Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13): Messianic Exegesis in a Jewish Setting.” In addition, Matson explored “Divine Forgiveness in Paul? Further Thoughts on Justification by Faith.”
In the more than 60 papers presented in parallel sessions and 12 study groups, both experienced and emerging scholars shared papers on related Biblical, theological or historical topics.
In addition, student paper competition recognized the work of three graduate MA/MDiv students and three upper level (Junior/Senior) undergraduate students, plus the winner of the Isaac Errett History Award from the Disciples of Christ Historical Society.
Sarah Dannenmiller, a student at Abilene Christian University, won the graduate division with her paper ” Associated Women for Pepperdine: Enriching a Legacy” (Sponsor: Doug Foster). Kimberly Scott, a student at Hope International University, won the undergraduate division with her paper “Salvation and Second Chances: 1 Peter 3:18-4:6” (Sponsor: Joe Grana).
Winner of the Isaac Errett History Award was Laura Locke Estes, a student at Abilene Christian University, for her paper “The Signs of the Times: Islam and Millennial Expectations in the Barclay Mission.”
In the graduate division of the student paper competition, other finalists included Tom Tatterfield, a student at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, and Margaryta Teslina, a student at Duke Divinity School.
Other finalists in the undergraduate division were Michael Judd, a student at Ozark Christian College, and Jonathan Totty, a student at Central Christian College of the Bible.
Stone Campbell International annually presents the SCJ Conference in addition to twice a year publishing SCJ, a juried journal that welcomes well-researched contributions from those who identify with its purpose.
The SCJ provides a scholarly platform for biblical interpretation, history, theology, philosophy, apologetics, and cultural criticism for those who value the perspective of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement and who endeavor to advance its distinctive principles today.
The 2016 SCJ Conference on the theme “War and Peace: The Effect of War on Early American Religion” will be held Friday, April1 and Saturday, April 2 at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn.
For more information, visit stone-campbelljournal.com.
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