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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You may also subscribe to this and subsequent episodes through iTunes or another podcatcher. View credits for my introductory music.

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)