Preliminary Program

S24-119 New Directions in Comparing the Bible and Greco-Roman Religions

Greco-Roman Religions Section and Philology in Hebrew Studies

Mon., Nov. 24, 9-11:30 am (Jamaica Pond, 5th Floor)

Olivia Stewart Lester, Loyola University of Chicago, Presiding

Opening Remarks (9:00-9:05 am)
- Olivia Stewart Lester, Loyola University of Chicago
Reflections on מִקְרֶה – Qohelet’s Materialism(s) (9:05-9:30 am)
- Yannik Ehmer, Humboldt University of Berlin
Discipleship and Diogenes: The Calling of Disciples in Diogenes Laertius and the Gospels (9:30-9:55 am)
- John Doss, Asbury Theological Seminary
Paul’s Problem with Covered and Uncovered Heads (1 Cor 11:2–16) in Roman Context (9:55-10:20 am)
- Aldar Nõmmik, University College Stockholm
From Burning Bush to Shining Goddess: Divine Calls in Exodus and the Odyssey (10:20-10:45 am)
- Kenny Ebinger, Andrews University
The Moral Ambiguity of Biblical David and Homeric Helen (10:45-11:10 am)
- Zachary Margulies, Georgetown University
Response (11:10-11:30 am)
- Olivia Stewart Lester, Loyola University of Chicago

Greco-Roman Religions and Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions (Affiliate)

Mon., Nov. 24 1-3:30 pm (309, Third Level)

Barbette Stanley Spaeth, William & Mary, Presiding

Introductory Note (1:00-1:05 pm)
- Barbette Stanley Spaeth, William & Mary
Plutarch and the Sacred (1:05-1:30 pm)
- Eric Orlin, University of Puget Sound
The Theology of a Pagan “Church Father:” Plutarch’s Religious Philosophy and the Theology of Early Christianity (1:30-1:55 pm)
- Rainer Hirsch-Luipold, Universität Bern – Université de Berne
βάρβαρον καὶ παράνομον θυσίαν: The Double-Standard of Human Sacrifice in Plutarch (1:55-2:20 pm)
- Joseph Watkins, Boston University
Plutarch and the Physics of Witchcraft (2:20-2:45 pm)
- Andrew Durdin, Florida State University
Response (2:45-3:00 pm)
- James Rives, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Discussion (3:00-3:30 pm)

Mon., Nov. 24, 4-6:30 pm (Commonwealth, 3rd Floor)

Fabio Caruso, Loyola University of Chicago, presiding

Opening Remarks (4:00-4:05 pm)
- Fabio Caruso, Loyola University of Chicago
Tongue-Binding and Local Power: The Delian Sarapis Aretalogy in Transcultural Context (4:05-4:30 pm)
- Christopher Atkins, Yale University
Isis Pelagia and Isis Aegyptia: Two Forms of the Isis Cult in Roman Corinth (4:30-4:55 pm)
- Barbette Stanley Spaeth, William & Mary
Negotiations of Belief and Practice in Corinthian Jesus Worship: Many Gods and Many Lords (4:55-5:15 pm)
- Margaret Froelich, Claremont School of Theology
Imagining the King of the World: Models of Divine Kingship in the Ancient Mediterranean (5:15-5:35 pm)
- Junqi (Jerry) Kou, Florida State University
Break (5:35-5:40 pm)
Business Meeting of Greco-Roman Religions Section (5:40-6:00 pm)