This episode introduces groups of Jesus-followers within the context of associations, Judeans, and cultural minority groups, setting the stage for case studies of Jesus groups in Asia Minor.    This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.11: Jesus Groups as Associations and Cultural Minorities, part 1 (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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This episode continues the discussion of Judean immigrant associations, turning to archeological evidence for assimilation and integration in the Roman era.    This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.10: Judean Immigrant Associations, part 2 (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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This episode introduces Judean (Jewish) associations or synagogues in the Greek cities of the Roman empire and begins to consider evidence in Josephus’ Judean Antiquities regarding the first century BCE.   This sets the stage for other episodes on the archeological and epigraphic evidence regarding Judean immigrant groups in the Roman era.  This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.9: Judean Immigrant Associations, part 1 (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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This episode continues the discussion of  Syrian or Phoenician ethnic groups or immigrant associations, moving into the Roman imperial period.  This includes a discussion of two inscriptions involving Israelites (or Samaritans) settled on Delos.  This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.8: Phoenician Immigrant Associations, part 2 (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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This episode involves a case study of Syrian or Phoenician ethnic associations in the ancient Mediterranean, preparing the way for a comparison with other immigrants from the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, especially Israelites and Judeans (Jews).  This episode deals primarily with the Hellenistic period in the second and first centuries BCE and the following episode continues on into the Roman imperial period.  This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.7: Phoenician Immigrant Associations, part 1 (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Here I discuss concepts of identity, assimilation, and other sociological and anthropological tools for studying immigrant groups or ethnic associations in the ancient context, preparing the way for an investigation of Phoenician, Judean, and other immigrant groups or cultural minorities. This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.6: Approaches to Studying Ethnic Associations and Identities (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Here I discuss the relation between associations and the Roman empire, including Roman authorities and the emperors. This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.5: Associations and the Roman Empire (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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There is a very well-written and thoughtful review of my book out in Journal of Religion by Joshua D. Garroway of Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Institute of Religion.  It was rewarding to hear my arguments accurately explained by someone else, and in this case the reviewer also offers very carefully expressed criticisms of my approach.  If your institution has a subscription to JSTOR, you can find the full review here:  http://www.jstor.org/pss/10.1086/661571.

Here are two excerpts:

“Harland does not deny the uniqueness of Christian or Judean groups, but to study them alongside  associations—indeed, as associations—requires him to lay stress on similarities rather than  differences. In his defense, this approach contrasts with much previous scholarship that emphasized—and, in light of Harland’s convincing studies, probably overemphasized—the uniqueness of Christians and Judeans.”

“Until recently, scholars of early Judaism and Christianity have generally pursued the differential quality. Harland’s effort to broaden that perspective by seeing what we might learn about Judeans and Christians by considering their similarities to other “cultural minority groups” in antiquity, even if it is overstated at times, therefore comes as a welcome alternative. The sharpness with which Harland presents that perspective makes it all the more rewarding.”

There is another somewhat less analytical review by Guy Stroumsa at the BMCR site:  http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2011/2011-08-42.html.

Here I discuss the relation between associations and Greco-Roman society with a focus on the Greek polis or city.  This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.4: Associations and Greco-Roman Society – The City (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Catherine M. Chin (University of California, Davis) has now published a review of my Dynamics of Identity book in the latest volume of Church History 80 (2011), 371-73. She has some interesting observations on the book, as well as insightful critique.  You can access the article through Cambridge journals online here if your university has a subscription.  I also notice that findarticles.com has the full text of the review available for free at this point.  I’ll be adding some excerpts from reviews to the companion site here.

For now, here is an excerpt:

“The primary contribution of the work to early Christian studies, and to the study of ancient religion more generally, lies in how few pages are actually spent on “early Christians,” and how many are spent on their world. Harland’s work is a social-historical analysis of ethnic, familial, and association identity markers in the Eastern Roman Empire, and his limited discussion of early Christian sources is firmly embedded in this context. Harland uses contemporary social-scientific models of identity theory, ethnic studies, and migration studies, and applies these models primarily to understudied inscriptional evidence, in order to explore the social and ideological contexts in which early Christian groups first came into being. This is important and enlightening work, and the focus on contemporaneous non-Christian identity markers and identity groupings is a welcome addition both to the literature on religion in the Roman world and, more indirectly, on the growth of the new Christian movement.”

The “Associations in the Greco-Roman World” series will start again in September (no episodes for July and August). Have a nice summer and I’ll talk to you in September.

Using Josephus and Philo as a starting point, here I discuss how Judeans (Jews), Christians, and others in the ancient world could express the identities of Judean synagogues and Christian congregations in terms of association-life. Although peculiar cultural minorities in some respects, Judean and Christian groups can be studied alongside other associations in the Greco-Roman world. This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.3: Judean and Christian Groups as Associations (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Here I explore the internal activities of associations, pointing to intertwined social, religious, and burial purposes that these groups served for their members.  We take a close look at one particular association devoted to the god Zeus and the goddess Agdistis at Philadelphia in Asia Minor (LSAM 20). This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.2: Social, Religious, and Burial Activities of Associations (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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In this first episode of the series, I discuss our evidence for associations and guilds in the Greco-Roman world and outline the various types of these groups, including family-based, occupation-based, cultic-based, and ethnic-based groups.  This is part of series 6 (Associations in the Greco-Roman World) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 6.1: Introduction to Associations in the Greco-Roman World (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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The Travel and Religion in Antiquity book (edited by Philip A. Harland) has now been released by Wilfrid Laurier University press.

Buy the book: It is already available for purchase from the publisher and from Amazon.ca, and Amazon.com should soon have copies as well.

Companion website: You can access the companion website here, where you can see the book information, read two sample chapters (by me), and view online bibliographies.

Here I discuss first-century Judean concepts relating to an anointed one, or messiah, particularly a kingly messiah, and discuss contemporary figures who were viewed as kings. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.14: Jesus as a Messianic King? (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Tony Burke and I (Phil Harland) have been busy arranging a special colloquium on the Secret Gospel of Mark, to be held at York University in Toronto on Friday, April 29, 2011. We would like to invite scholars and students who are interested to attend. The public is also invited to the evening session.

For further information and registration go to: http://www.tonyburke.ca/yorkchristianpocrypha/

“Ancient Gospel or Modern Forgery? The Secret Gospel of Mark in Debate”

April 29, 2011, York University (Vanier College)

Scholarly Discussion (9 am-5 pm) and Public Debate (7-9 pm)

Featuring: Scott Brown, University of Toronto; Tony Burke, York University; Bruce Chilton, Bard College; Craig Evans, Acadia Divinity College; Phil Harland, York University; Charles Hedrick, Missouri State U.; Peter Jeffery, U. of Notre Dame; Marvin Meyer, Chapman University; Allan Pantuck, U. of California; Pierluigi Piovanelli, U. of Ottawa; Hershel Shanks, Editor of Biblical Archaeology Review

Here I discuss first-century Judean concepts of the prophet and place Jesus within the context of other contemporary figures who were viewed as prophets. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.14: Jesus as Prophet (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Temple of Isis at Pompeii:

Statue of Sarapis from the Capitoline museum:

Here I investigate the historical Jesus within the context of contemporaries who were viewed as healers and exorcists in Galilee and Judea. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.13: Jesus as Healer and Exorcist (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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This is the second of two episodes that consider the historical Jesus in the role of teacher. Here I discuss evidence regarding Jesus’ conception of the “kingdom of God” and the scholarly debates regarding Jesus’ present or (imminent) future focus. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.12: Jesus as Teacher, part 2: Present or Future Kingdom? (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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For those of you attending SBL I should encourage you to attend the session that will be reviewing my book alongside another on early Christian identity:

Construction of Christian Identities

Monday November 22, 2010, 4-6:30 PM

James Miller, Asbury Theological Seminary, Presiding

Review of Philip A. Harland, Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians (T & T Clark, 2009)

James Crossley, University of Sheffield, Panelist (20 min)

Wolfgang Stegemann, Panelist (20 min)

Philip Harland, York University, Respondent (15 min)

Discussion (15 min)

Break (10 min)

Review of Mikael Tellbe, Christ-Believers in Ephesus (WUNT 1.242; Mohr-Siebeck, 2009)

Philip Esler, Panelist (20 min)

Michael Daise, College of William and Mary, Panelist (20 min)

Mikael Tellbe, Örebro Theological Seminary, Respondent (15 min)

Discussion (15 min)

I’m also a panelist on the student session on diversity earlier on Monday.  Hope to see you at SBL even if not at those sessions!

This and the following episode consider the historical Jesus in the role of teacher. Here I discuss the form or method of his instruction, and begin to introduce the centrality of the “Kingdom of God” to his teachings.  This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.11: Jesus as Teacher, part 1: Method and Content (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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Here I consider evidence from Josephus and the Gospels regarding John the Baptist and his importance for studying the historical Jesus. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.10: Jesus and his Mentor, John the Baptizer (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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There is now a review (by Eric Rowe, a doctoral student at U. of Notre Dame) of my recent book on Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians on the Review of Biblical Literature site, and on my birthday, no less.

I was just checking out the total number of listeners for specific episodes on the archive.org site and discovered that the very first episode (1.1. on Paul) now has a total of almost 11,000 downloads.  The next one is approaching 8,600 and many others are above 6,000 downloads/listeners.  THe point of this post: thanks for listening!!  It all seems worthwhile.  Things will pick up again in the coming academic year (once I’m “done” all this research I’m desperately trying to finish before the summer ends).

P.S. Now the only question is: Do I tell my wife that she was right?

In order to provide a context for Jesus in the role of a teacher, here I discuss contemporary educated Judean groups and leaders, including Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and the Dead Sea sect. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.

Podcast 5.9: Jesus in the Context of Educated Groups and Leaders (mp3; archive.org page with various downloading options here).

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As listeners may have noticed, I have slowed down the pace of the podcasts recently, releasing just one episode per month (rather than two per month).  This is a temporary measure due to my sabbatical this past year which left me with no new material to prepare for podcasts.  So (with the break in July and August with no episodes) the historical Jesus series will continue into the fall of 2010 (ending in December).  Then I’ll begin preparing my course recordings from 2010-11 for the next series, which will begin in January 2011.  Corresponding to my courses for 2010-11, this means that the next series will likely be on apocalypticism (my course is titled “Visions of the End”).

Another slight change will be my method of recording.  Rather than depending on the university’s recording system (for large classes) and on my half-decent yet not excellent logitech computer microphone for recording, I have now bought a Zoom H2 (a tiny but amazing recorder with five microphones that allow 90, 120, and 360 degree recording).  The Zoom H2 seems excellent so far, and it should improve the overall quality of the podcast.  So far I have tested the Zoom H2 by recording a concert by David Gray (who permits and encourages audience recordings of his concerts). If you want to give that concert a listen, you can find it on David Gray’s archive.org page (FLAC is the best quality to download):

• David Gray Live at Centre in the Square on 2010-05-25 (http://www.archive.org/details/dgray2010-05-25)

I was recently attending the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies (my favourite academic society) in Montreal. I was very happy to win the CSBS’s Norman E. Wagner award for the innovative use of technology relating to biblical scholarship (you can read more about the award here).  This was awarded for my work here on my websites, including my podcast.

P.S. The award money disappeared quite quickly (that’s what happens when you say “Beer’s on me!” as your official acceptance speech).

The program outline is now available for the Society of Biblical Literature 2010 in Atlanta in November.  I’m involved in two ways (on one day!).  I’ll be joining in the discussions for the student session.  And my new book, Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians, will be a focus of one session.  Hope to see some of you there.

Exploring Issues in Pedagogy: Diversity in the Classroom
11/22/2010
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Room: Room TBD – Hotel TBD

Theme: Hosted by the SBL Student Advisory Group
The classroom is becoming increasingly diverse, and this diversity is multiple: gender, ethnic and cultural background, religion, language, age, sexual identity and physical ability are all constituents of the diverse classroom. Pedagogical practice has more recently begun to fully appreciate and value learner-centered modes of teaching, and an understanding of the issues related to diversity provides teachers with further opportunities to develop these modes of learning. Paying attention to these issues can not only increase levels of participation and motivation in the classroom, but also help to foster critical thinking skills. This session will therefore begin discussion on incorporating teaching methods which engage diversity into pedagogical practice.

Amy Jones, Drew University, Presiding
Philip A. Harland, York University, Panelist (15 min)
Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Shaw University Divinty School, Panelist (15 min)
Alicia Batten, University of Sudbury, Panelist (15 min)
Discussion (40 min)

11/22/2010
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Room TBD – Hotel TBD

Theme: Jews and Gentiles Worshiping Jesus: The Study Case of Ephesus

James Miller, Asbury Theological Seminary, Presiding
Review of Philip A. Harland, Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians (T & T Clark, 2009)
James Crossley, University of Sheffield, Panelist (20 min)
Wolfgang Stegemann, Panelist (20 min)
Philip Harland, York University, Respondent (15 min)
Discussion (15 min)
Break (10 min)
Review of Mikael Tellbe, Christ-Believers in Ephesus (WUNT 1.242; Mohr-Siebeck, 2009)
Philip Esler, Panelist (20 min)
Michael Daise, College of William and Mary, Panelist (20 min)
Mikael Tellbe, Örebro Theological Seminary, Respondent (15 min)
Discussion (15 min)