Vol 5. Iss. 2: Caesar on His Head

   By Andrea E. Davis

   The cool air was charged with anticipation and excitement this October morning. Hundreds of experts, professors, and students of New Testament studies eagerly convened at Union Theological Seminary to participate in the recent conference “New Testament and Roman Empire: Shifting Paradigms for Interpretation.” Over the next two days, October 29-30, these great minds focused on innovative methods of reinterpreting the Christian text in light of the political climate out of which it emerged.

   As the conference began and each presenter took the stage to introduce their theory on the true significance of the New Testament texts, it became clear that the common theme would be revolutionary change. John Dominic Crossan called for a redefining of civilization that is not inherently imperial. He was followed by Brigitte Kahl and Richard Horsley, who addressed the subverting of the Roman Empire by the historical Jesus and his followers. Perhaps the highlight of that first day was the dance piece choreographed by one of Union’s third-year MDiv students, Eboni Marshall. Her composition incorporated Black femininity into the music and movements in order to depict an interpretation of the Revelation to John that counters the historically Eurocentric and masculine reading that is typically favored. The second day of the conference was equally challenging to traditional New Testament scholarship, with diverse presentations ranging from Davina Lopez’ challenge of conventional gender paradigms to Heidi Neumark’s call for an urban ministry that is serviceable in the midst of poverty.

   But what is the true value of such an event as this conference? What ultimate good is attained by the gathering together of professionals to share with each other their views on biblical interpretation? These biblical scholars, including ourselves, return from these conferences to their broader communities, and as these revolutionary interpretations come to our churches and congregations, we move much closer to living out our professed faith in biblical truth and liberation.