Bible scholars explore 'Jesus and Empire'
Mat Hotho
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
On March 27 and 28, that FSC religion department held the annual Bible Symposium. The theme of the discussion was "Jesus and Empire."
Speaking on the topic were Dr. Richard A. Horsley, distinguished professor of liberal arts and the study of religion at the University of Massachusetts; Dr. Mark G. Toulouse, professor of American religious history at Brite Divinity School; Dr. Philip Wogaman, professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary; and Dr. Ted Jennings, professor of biblical and constructive theology at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Horsley, an expert on the historical Jesus and the politics of the Roman Empire, began the Symposium by setting the context in which Jesus did his ministry. Horsley suggested that the traditional understanding of Jesus' message needs to be reevaluated in light of new research on the Roman Empire. In particular, Horsley focused on Jesus' message and acts-specifically the Exorcism in Mark 5 and the Tribute to Caesar in Mark 12-as those of a liberator encouraging the oppressed to stand against the Empire that was oppressing them.
Toulouse presented a paper examining the use of religious rhetoric by the American "Empire." In particular, Toulouse focused on the use of God-language, with an emphasis on the concept of manifest eestiny by important American figures during times of war.
Starting with Puritanism in the early colonies, Toulouse examined speeches by Puritan preachers, who conflated God's providence with the divine blessing of America. This theme, he said, continued to be invoked by politicians throughout American history. Toulouse brought the topic into the present, remarking on the rhetoric of President Bush during the Iraq war.
Toulouse concluded that America, while being the only major country with a constitutional separation of church and state, uses religious symbols and language to support imperialism abroad.
Starting the Symposium on Friday, Wogaman, a Christian ethicist, discussed the Christian's responsibility as a member of the state. He identified four positive entry points for Christians in relation to the state.
Speaking on the topic were Dr. Richard A. Horsley, distinguished professor of liberal arts and the study of religion at the University of Massachusetts; Dr. Mark G. Toulouse, professor of American religious history at Brite Divinity School; Dr. Philip Wogaman, professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary; and Dr. Ted Jennings, professor of biblical and constructive theology at Chicago Theological Seminary.
Horsley, an expert on the historical Jesus and the politics of the Roman Empire, began the Symposium by setting the context in which Jesus did his ministry. Horsley suggested that the traditional understanding of Jesus' message needs to be reevaluated in light of new research on the Roman Empire. In particular, Horsley focused on Jesus' message and acts-specifically the Exorcism in Mark 5 and the Tribute to Caesar in Mark 12-as those of a liberator encouraging the oppressed to stand against the Empire that was oppressing them.
Toulouse presented a paper examining the use of religious rhetoric by the American "Empire." In particular, Toulouse focused on the use of God-language, with an emphasis on the concept of manifest eestiny by important American figures during times of war.
Starting with Puritanism in the early colonies, Toulouse examined speeches by Puritan preachers, who conflated God's providence with the divine blessing of America. This theme, he said, continued to be invoked by politicians throughout American history. Toulouse brought the topic into the present, remarking on the rhetoric of President Bush during the Iraq war.
Toulouse concluded that America, while being the only major country with a constitutional separation of church and state, uses religious symbols and language to support imperialism abroad.
Starting the Symposium on Friday, Wogaman, a Christian ethicist, discussed the Christian's responsibility as a member of the state. He identified four positive entry points for Christians in relation to the state.
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