SOCIETY REPORT 2003 Society of Biblical Literature
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Society of Biblical Literature SOCIETY REPORT 2003 Society of Biblical Literature Dear Friends, The Society of Biblical Literature experienced a productive and exciting 2003. The membership and staff through their diligence strengthened the Society’s stature in and beyond the academy, creating a broader knowledge of the Society’s work and greater visibility through the Society’s website. The SBL Font Foundation is becoming the authoritative source for Hebrew and Greek fonts. The fonts are based in Unicode and OpenType standards. These fonts allow users to transfer texts between computer systems. They are designed for ease of reading on screen and in print. The fonts are free for individual users worldwide. Commercial use requires membership in the Font Foundation. The Hebrew font is now available at www.sbl-site.org. The Chicago Manual of Style, The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers cited The SBL Hand- book of Style as the authoritative source for biblical references. It directs readers to the SBL Handbook for “excellent advice and numerous abbreviations.” The Society’s dynamic new website, SBL Forum, developed during the year, now offers features and news about biblical scholarship and religious studies, plus up-to-date information about Society activities, all in a user-friendly environment. SBL editors continue to acquire titles that foster biblical scholarship and enrich the lives of all who are interested in the critical investigation of the Bible—titles such as Borowski’s Daily Life in Biblical Times, which offers a glimpse of life in ancient Israel; Albertz’s Israel in Exile, which makes important German scholarship available to English readers; and Barr’s Reading the Book of Revelation, which is written to meet the needs of students. SBL congresses held in Toronto, Canada, and Cambridge, England, had excellent attendance, reaching the broad constituency of the Society’s members. The International Meeting had a record breaking 500 in at- tendance and 25 book exhibits! The year 2003 was a year of growth and development. Membership benefits continue to be expanded and improved. We continue to reach out to further our mission to foster biblical scholarship. Cordially, Kent Harold Richards Executive Director Professor of Old Testament 2 • SOCIETY REPORT 2003 SOCIETY REPORT 2003 • 3 Leadership with New Vision MISSION, VALUES, AND VISIONS • Facilitate broad and open discussion Gregory L. Glover, Southminster from a variety of perspectives Presbyterian Church All organizations are challenged to pe- David L. Petersen, Candler School of riodically review the mission, values, and • Encourage study of biblical literature Theology, Emory University that attends to its cultural contexts visions that are their foundation. In 2003, Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, Princeton Council reviewed, analyzed, and simpli- • Publish biblical scholarship Theological Seminary fied the mission statement of the Society • Organize congresses for scholarly in- Thanks to Paul J. Achtemeier, Union of Biblical Literature to encompass every- terchange thing the Society stands for and to facili- Theological Seminary, Richmond, for his tate broad and open discussion. • Collaborate with educational institu- able leadership with regard to Society tions to support biblical scholarship investments. Mission Foster Biblical Scholarship—A simple, COUNCIL COMMITTEES comprehensive statement that encom- Thank You, Council Members passes the Society’s aspirations. Council conducts its work through four committees of Council— Eldon Jay Epp, Case Western Values Development, Finance, Nominating, and Reserve University, Emeritus, At the same time that Council ana- the Programs and Initiatives Committee. President lyzed the mission statement, they deliber- The new committee, Programs and David L. Petersen, Candler School of ated over core values that exemplified the Initiatives, evaluates established pro- Theology, Emory University, Vice principles behind their governance. These grams and reviews potential initiatives. President core values are the essential enduring te- It strengthens communications between Harold W. Attridge, Yale University nets that guide the work of SBL; they are committees and Council. so important as not to be compromised, Brian K. Blount, Princeton no matter what the external pressures. Thank You, Committees of Council Theological Seminary Responsiveness to change Development Committee Pamela Eisenbaum, Iliff School of Theology Communication Harold W. Attridge, Yale University Efficiency Douglas A. Knight, Vanderbilt University John T. Fitzgerald, University of Miami Scholarly integrity Ross S. Kraemer, Brown University, Chair Beverly R. Gaventa, Princeton Inclusiveness Finance Committee Theological Seminary Tolerance Harold W. Attridge, Yale University, Chair Deirdre Good, General Theological Collegiality Eldon Jay Epp, Case Western Reserve Seminary University, Emeritus Leadership in biblical scholarship Christopher R. Matthews, Weston Marty Stevens, Union Theological Jesuit School of Theology Commitment Southern Seminary Collaboration Gail R. O’Day, Candler School of Nominating Committee Productivity Theology, Emory University John T. Fitzgerald, University of Miami, Accountability Chair Stephen Breck Reid, Bethany Theological Seminary Strategic Visions Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology Linda S. Schearing, Gonzaga Strategic vision statements help carry University out the Society’s mission. Vision state- Sidnie White Crawford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln ments are focused on achievable growth. James C. VanderKam, University of Notre Dame SBL now has the following vision state- Programs and Initiatives Committee ments, developed by Council: Eldon Jay Epp, Chair, Case Western Gale A. Yee, Episcopal Divinity • Offer members opportunities for mu- Reserve University, Emeritus, Chair School tual support, intellectual growth, and Pamela Eisenbaum, Iliff School of professional development Theology 2 • SOCIETY REPORT 2003 SOCIETY REPORT 2003 • 3 Professional Development and Service MEMBERSHIP The ACLS consists of a 15-member HUMANITIES ADVOCACY DAY Board of Directors, one delegate from The core of the Society of Biblical each constituent society, and the execu- SBL is a leading sponsor of Humanities Literature is its 7500 members. Each time tive directors of each organization. The Advocacy Day. The day provides a unique a member renews or joins the Society, op- 2003 Annual Meeting of the ACLS took opportunity to communicate the value portunities are provided for intellectual place at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel of the humanities to the U.S. Congress. growth and professional development. in Philadelphia, PA from May 9–10, Together with the National Endowment Constant vigilance regarding service to 2003 and was attended by Kent Harold for the Humanities (NEH) Jefferson members must remain a top priority. Richards, Executive Director and Adela Lecture, these two national events pro- The American Council of Learned Yarbro Collins, SBL’s ACLS delegate. vide key opportunities for the humanities Societies (ACLS) survey found that over In the public discussion with Pauline community to call special attention to the the last several years organizations like Yu, the incoming President, the issue of necessity of financial support for research, ours have retained significant strength, the investigation of plagiarism on the teaching, and publications. growth, and financial stability. However, part of professional scholars was raised. The two-day event consists of updates we must continue to find ways to expand One speaker argued that investigations on funding, congressional support, and our membership and to strengthen mem- should be conducted by the colleges and an overview of policy initiatives and legis- ber contributions to the life and work of universities in which the scholars are lation impacting work in the humanities. the Society. employed. The constituent societies were Kristin M. Swenson, SBL member and The survey questions below are the encouraged to draw up guidelines and a professor at Virginia Commonwealth types of questions we must ask ourselves. standards, which could be collected by University, visited congressional delega- the ACLS and made available to investi- tions to urge support of NEH funding. If gating institutions. At this meeting, the you have an interest in working on this Questions for Members American Historical Association made a important project in 2004, please contact press release available, which stated that Susan Madara in the SBL office. How does SBL attract and retain Humanities Advocacy Day will be held new scholars to biblical studies? the AHA, instead of adjudicating a small number of confidential cases, as they on March 15–16, 2004. We thank Kristin How does SBL foster biblical have for the last fifteen years, will mount M. Swenson for volunteering to work on scholarship? a more visible campaign to educate his- this important initiative. How does SBL help members torians, their students, and the public strengthen professional identity about appropriate standards for research and meet others who work with the and writing. Thanks to Member Donors texts and traditions of the Bible? In the same forum, another speaker Thanks to the many member How does SBL provide leadership asked what the ACLS could do to help donors who have given this last in interpreting scholarship for the independent scholars. Others argued year. Next year we will list all wider public? that faculty of the constituent