Mennonite Happenings at the SBL

For all of you attending the SBL and wanting to get your peace church on, there are two sessions I recommend.

Mennonite Scholars & Friends Reception
Friday, November 21, 2008 7-8:30 p.m.
Sheraton, Liberty B room

If you are not a Mennonite or didn’t grow up one, this reception can be rough. It involved the “Mennonite game,” whereby you discover how you are connected to other folks in the room in a game akin to “six degrees of separation.” If you aren’t from a Mennonite family, didn’t go to a Mennonite school or aren’t named Yoder, you’ll find yourself feeling awkward the first time. Don’t let this dissuade you from coming. Them’s good folk. If you show up, chat with me. I’m sure I’ll stick out.

Mennonite Scholars & Friends Forum
Saturday, November 22, 2008 9-11:30 a.m.
Hynes Convention Center, Room 210

TOPIC: Teaching Bible: Setting, Method, Agenda
Presiding: Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld, Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo
Presenting: Jo-Ann Brant, Goshen College, Wes Bergen, Wichita State, Jonathan Isaac, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

The session will be a conversation focusing on the pedagogical challenges and opportunities that Anabaptist scholars encounter in teaching the Bible in various educational settings: public university, Christian college/university, and seminary. The panelists representing these three settings will reflect on who their students are and how that matters, how faith and critical methodologies interact pedagogically, and whether there is an “Anabaptist agenda” in teaching the Bible, and, if so, what its impact is on pedagogy.

This seems like a fun session. Unfortunatley, it conflicts with the first session of Ugaritic Studies and Northwest Semitic Epigraphy. I hope someone can take notes on Rainey’s talk for me.