The aim of this conference is to scrutinize afresh the traditional notion of inspiration and related concepts such as revelation, in the framework of a theological reflection that takes into account both the challenges of biblical criticism and contemporary hermeneutics. What does it mean to speak of an inspired text when the manuscript evidence reveals that it is fluid, and when historical criticism shows that it is self-contradictory or fictional? Is there “theology” in the Bible, in spite of its inner plurality? Should reception be regarded as an integral part of revelation and/or of the inspiration process? Such questions will be raised not only in relation to Christianity, but also in relation to Judaism and Islam.

Presentation

The aim of this conference is to scrutinize afresh the traditional notion of inspiration and related concepts such as revelation, in the framework of a theological reflection that takes into account both the challenges of biblical criticism and contemporary hermeneutics. What does it mean to speak of an inspired text when the manuscript evidence reveals that it is fluid, and when historical criticism shows that it is self-contradictory or fictional? Is there “theology” in the Bible, in spite of its inner plurality? Should reception be regarded as an integral part of revelation and/or of the inspiration process? Such questions will be raised not only in relation to Christianity, but also in relation to Judaism and Islam.

Programme

May 16 | Inspired writing

08:45 Introduction

Session I: Theology within textual plurality?

• 09:00 Biblical plurality: a lively conversation embodied in Scriptures / Emmanuel Durand

09:40 Questions | Pause

• 10:00 Theologies in the Hebrew Bible and Theology of the Hebrew Bible: Some Methodological Considerations and Case Studies / Konrad Schmid

10:40 Questions | Pause

• 11:00 A theology of the Hebrew Bible? An exegetical study / Camilla Recalcati, Martijn Beukenhorst, Pierre-Edouard Detal, Salvatore Manfroid
• 11:15 The respiration of the Scripture. Can there be inspiration without expiration? I / Alain Martial, Florence Draguet, Louis de Brouwer, Pedro Valinho Gomes
• 11:30 Discussion

SessionII: How to deal with textual fluidity?

• 14:00 Textual Fluidity as a Challenge to Inspiration? A Biblical Scholar’s Point of View / Matthieu Richelle

14:40 Questions | Pause

• 15:00 Textual Fluidity as a Challenge to Inspiration? A Systematic Theologian’s Point of View / Benoît Bourgine

15:40 Questions | Pause

• 16:00 Response of Emmanuel Durand
• 16:15 Response of Konrad Schmid
• 16:30 Discussion

17:15 Closing of the works

May 17 | Inspired reading

08:45 Introduction 

Session III: Active participation in revelation?

• 09:00 Revelation’s activating: the verbal as the expression of the personal impression / Mark Elliott

09:40 Questions | Pause

• 10:00 Reception as Revelation: A Participatory Theory of Inspiration in Jewish Tradition and Scripture / Benjamin Sommer

10:40 Questions | Pause

• 11:00 What are the limits to an inspired text? Exegetical remarks on (non-)inspired writing / Camilla Recalcati, Martijn Beukenhorst, Pierre-Edouard Detal, Salvatore Manfroid
• 11:15 The Respiration of the Scripture. Can there be inspiration without expiration? II / Alain Martial, Florence Draguet, Louis de Brouwer, Pedro Valinho Gomes
• 11:30 Discussion

Session IV: How to deal with textual fluidity?

• 14:00 New Testament Inspiration and Apocryphal subtext: the Case of the Epistle of Jude / Régis Burnet

14:40 Questions | Pause

• 15:00 Qur’ān Inspiration and Biblical Subtexts: the Case of Q. 5:32 and Q. 19:16-33 / Mehdi Azaiez

15:40 Questions | Pause

• 16:00 Response of Mark Elliot
• 16:15 Response of Benjamin Sommer
• 16:30 Discussion

17:15 Closing of the Symposium

Participation

Registration is compulsory. You may register here.

Students: Free

Presence fee: 50 €

Streaming fee: 30 €

For further information on the Symposium, please contact pedro.valinho@uclouvain.be or louis.debrouwer@uclouvain.be