In 2020 our program unit is sponsoring two open-call sessions:
1. Biblical Exegesis & the Development of Christological Doctrine. The early Christological debates are primary sites for investigating the biblical dimension of early Christian doctrine, since opponents offered rival interpretations of key passages of scripture whose meaning was disputed. But recognition of the fact that rival interpretations were fundamental to Christological debates raises other interrelated questions. What criteria could be used to evaluate whether one interpretation was superior to another? Could opponents even agree on these criteria? Were there different assumptions about hermeneutics, epistemology, language, etc., that informed biblical exegesis and led to rival interpretations? And so, focusing on the biblical dimension of Christological doctrine sheds light on the forces that shaped Christological development, and analyzing the Christological application of biblical texts in early Christian argumentation increases our understanding of the details of early Christian exegetical theory and practice. We call for papers that explore such issues and questions in 5th century authors and texts.
2. Gen 1-3 & Christological Controversy.The importance of biblical exegesis for the Christological controversies of the 5th century can be taken as granted, especially those passages about Christ from the NT. In a joint session of with the program unit "Early Exegesis of Gen. 1-3" we aim to broaden this approach, raising the question whether Gen 1-3 was important for the Christological controversies of the 5th century too. Since Gen 1-3 was important for early Christian cosmology, anthropology, and even for Trinitarian thought, the use of these extraordinarily important texts from the OT should be taken into consideration also within this context. Any proposal for this topic is welcome, independently of the status or background of the proponent.