Semeia 82: In Search of the Present: The Bible through Cultural Studies

by Stephen D. Moore

Publisher:

Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)

, 2000

Overview

Semeia is an experimental journal devoted to the exploration of new and emergent areas and methods of biblical criticism. Studies employing the methods, models, and findings of linguistics, folklore studies, contemporary literary criticism, structuralism, social anthropology, and other such disciplines and approaches, are invited. Although experimental in both form and content, Semeia proposes to publish work that reflects a well defined methodology that is appropriate to the material being interpreted.

Key Features

• Key perspectives on biblical criticism
• Includes bibliographies and index

Contents

Top Highlights

“Yet for Arnold, culture is not simply a body of pure knowledge or even ‘a study of perfection’ (1993a:59). It is also concerned with practical action, to change things. Arnold often quotes a maxim of Thomas Wilson, sometime Bishop of Sodor and Man, that culture’s aim is ‘To make reason and the will of God prevail’ (1993a:60). Storey summarises Arnold’s view of culture as: ‘(1) the ability to know what is best; (2) what is best; (3) the mental and spiritual application of what is best, and (4) the pursuit of what is best’ (1997:23). The key question is, of course, how and by whom it is to be decided what is best.” (Pages 35–36)

“Richard Hoggart (b. 1918) is perhaps best remembered for two things—the founding of the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS), at the University of Birmingham, and his book, The Uses of Literacy: aspects of working-class life with special reference to publications and entertainments, published in 1957.” (Page 42)

“In its meticulous attention to ideology, culture and counter-culture, Hall’s essay provides a highly suggestive model for cultural histories of popular appropriations of the Bible.” (Page 11)

“the landmark collection that he edited with Mary Ann Tolbert, Cultural Studies and Contemporary Biblical Criticism” (Page 21)

“they are forced to picture details not specified by the text itself” (Page 69)

Contributors

• Alice Bach
• Fiona C. Black
• Roland Boer
• Brenda E. Brasher
• Ralph Broadbent
• Laura E. Donaldson
• Andrew C. Dowsett
• Jennifer A. Glancy
• Richard Griffiths
• Stephen D. Moore
• Erin Runions
• Yvonne M. Sherwood

Product Details

• Title: Semeia 82: In Search of the Present: The Bible through Cultural Studies
• Editor: Stephen D. Moore
• Publisher: Society of Biblical Literature
• Publication Date: 2000
• Pages: 320

About Stephen D. Moore

A native of Ireland, Stephen D. Moore received a PhD in New Testament from the University of Dublin (Trinity College) in 1986. He subsequently taught at Trinity, and also at Yale Divinity School, Wichita State University, and the University of Sheffield before coming to Drew in 1999. His research centers on the interface of biblical studies and other contiguous fields, especially literary studies, cultural studies, gender studies, and postcolonial studies. He serves on the editorial boards of The Journal of Biblical Literature, The Journal for the Study of the New Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and The Bible and Critical Theory. Currently he is Chair of Drew’s Graduate Division of Religion.