The projected thirty-volume Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (EBR) is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide to the current state of knowledge on the background, origins, and development of the canonical texts of the Bible as they were accepted in Judaism and Christianity. Unprecedented in breadth and scope, this encyclopedia also documents the history of the Bible’s interpretation and reception across the centuries, not only in Judaism and Christianity, but also in literature, visual art, music, film, and dance, as well as in Islam and other religious traditions and new religious movements.
The EBR is also available online.
Blogger’s Choice - Articles recommended by biblioblogger Jim West (https://zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
Following in the tradition of earlier volumes in this highly useful and extraordinarily important series, volume 15 provides a virtual lifetime of scholarship for students of the Bible and its reception."
Karlstadt, Andreas Bodenstein von (Frank M. Hasel; Silver Spring, Md., USA)
Hasel notes the core difference between Luther and Karlstadt when he writes “What Luther would permit, Karlstadt would compel; where Luther would introduce changes and innovation gradually, Karlstadt would push for direct action.” It’s a keenly and smartly written distillation of a very complex life Hasel here provides.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/EBR/MainLemma_8346
Kataphatic Theology I. Christianity (Christophe Chalamet; Geneva, Switzerland)
“Kataphatic theology affirms something about God, on the basis of God’s condescending movement or as an attempt to bring God down to the level of human language.” Chalamet then describes that dogma as it manifests itself in Christian theology in a quite accessible way.
Kennicott, Benjamin (Anselm C. Hagedorn; Osnabruck, Germany)
Hagedorn’s very concise biography of Kennicott presents a lot of information in a short entry. As is the case of so many of the EBR’s entries, a little goes a very long way.
Killigrew, Anne (Rafael Vélez Núnez; Cadiz, Spain)
Anne Killigrew (1660–1685) was an English Restoration poet and painter. “Anne Killigrew’s painting and poetry voice a heroic female world alien to libertinism.” Another example of a person with whom I was not familiar and yet now find myself very intrigued by: a strong woman in a time when being such was both unique and potentially hazardous.
Kiss VIII. Film (John Boyles; Abilene, Tex., USA)
The ‘biblical kiss’, as it appears in film, is the subject tackled by Boyles (after other authors examine it in the Bible, Judaism, Christianity, music, etc.). “Two categories of kiss from the Bible appear on film. First are scenes of familial or intimate kissing. … Second are scenes of kisses within a religious context…” The carefulness and thoroughness of the Encyclopedia are once again on display here. There is simply so much from the Bible which has impacted literally every corner of modern life.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/EBR/MainLemma_666
Labor (Childbirth) IV. Christianity E. World Christianity (Joanne Davis; London, United Kingdom)
Davis notes in her contribution focusing on World Christianity, that “There are two concerns in World Christianity with respect to the biblical reception of labor and childbearing. The first concerns the significance of passages in the Bible … The second concern is the great incidence of maternal and infant death in childbirth.” Her description in what follows is incredibly informative. And her essay demonstrates, as though such were needed, the incredibly important contributions to biblical studies and religion that women are making and have made.
https://www.degruyter.com/view/EBR/key_7c7b9afa-2c07-4585-b7f0-bd3b652627a2
Lambert, Wilfred George (Alan Millard; Leamington Spa, United Kingdom)
“Wilfred George Lambert (1926–2011), a leading Assyriologist, was born in Birmingham, England, studied at Cambridge University, moving from Classics to Hebrew and Akkadian under D. Winton Thomas and C. P. T. Winckworth, to graduate in 1950.” Lambert was a giant in the field and a fixture at the annual meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study. He deserves the immortalization he herein receives.
Lamentations, Book of III. Christianity B. Medieval Times and Reformation Era (George Ferzoco; Bristol, United Kingdom)
With respect to the Books of Lamentations in the Reformation and Post-Reformation periods, Ferzoco remarks, “It is not surprising that given this powerful presence in Christian spirituality, Lamentations has clear resonances in medieval literature. Key passages in the writings of Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Chaucer make clear allusions to this book.” The whole entry on Lamentations is quite good, and hence, commended.
Lamentations, Book of V. Visual Arts (Paul Joyce; London, United Kingdom)
Joyce’s examination of the book of Lamentations’ representations in the visual arts is superb. It teaches much with both wisdom and profundity.
Laodicea I. Greco-Roman Antiquity and New Testament (Balbina Bäbler; Gottingen, Germany)
Laodicea, famous from the book of Revelation, is here fully described as a locale in Greco-Roman antiquity and New Testament times. ‘The city was well known for its medical school…’ and many other fascinating facts are presented.
Lazy, Idle VI. Visual Arts (Ayla Lepine; Cambridge, United Kingdom)
The subject as understood by visual artists is considered beautifully and includes reference to my favorite artist: “In Albrecht Dürer’s interpretation, Christ’s alertness to the presence of the angel in the upper left of the image is directly contrasted with an apostle poignantly resting his exhausted weight on a tree stump.” There is much to learn of laziness indeed.
