Most Current Biblical Scholarship ---Books/internet?

[rpn]

Where would you go to find the most current biblical scholarship as companion to the Old Testament curriculum for Sunday School this year?   I liked the Institute Manual, but it hasn't kept up with what is currently known/believed in scholarly circles.   And I think that the scholarly stuff needs to inform our study, as well as the church manual.

[volgadon]

Where would you go to find the most current biblical scholarship as companion to the Old Testament curriculum for Sunday School this year?   I liked the Institute Manual, but it hasn't kept up with what is currently known/believed in scholarly circles.   And I think that the scholarly stuff needs to inform our study, as well as the church manual.

 

Google books is a great resource, but try the SBL website, too.

[JLHPROF]

Where would you go to find the most current biblical scholarship as companion to the Old Testament curriculum for Sunday School this year?   I liked the Institute Manual, but it hasn't kept up with what is currently known/believed in scholarly circles.   And I think that the scholarly stuff needs to inform our study, as well as the church manual.

 

I think there is enough complexity and depth in the scriptures, revelations and teachings of the prophets to more than enhance the curriculum.  I personally find the academic or historical approach a distraction from the doctrinal approach.  It won't make one bit of difference where scholars say Moses parted the Red Sea or if Noah's ark actually landed in Turkey.

I would rather study the doctrinal lessons of the Old Testament, for example, why the Israelites were condemned to wander, or what is the symbolism behind the flood.  And that is more than enough information to turn a milk lesson into meat.

[Robert F. Smith]

Where would you go to find the most current biblical scholarship as companion to the Old Testament curriculum for Sunday School this year?   I liked the Institute Manual, but it hasn't kept up with what is currently known/believed in scholarly circles.   And I think that the scholarly stuff needs to inform our study, as well as the church manual.

One of the best ways to keep up is free:  Bible History Daily at http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/biblehistorydaily/ , and they include a  number of free eBooks which you can download.  Just sign up for the free daily email on the latest in biblical archeology.  You can also sign up and pay for annual access to online issues of Biblical Archaeology Review, which also gives you access to all past issues and other publications.  This is made for the serious non-scholar.

 

Another free source is an ultra-Orthodox Jewish website, http://www.chabad.org/, which sends weekly articles by email, and rabbis will answer any questions you have free at http://www.chabad.org/asktherabbi/default_cdo/jewish/Ask-the-Rabbi.htm .  They are looking to serve the larger Jewish community worldwide.  They are not looking for converts.

 

Your local public or university library will usually have the following encyclopedias for you to refer to:

 

Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 vols. (Doubleday, 1992).

 

Encyclopedia Judaica, 22 vols , 2nd ed. (Macmillan, 2006).  It can also be accessed free online at http://www.bjeindy.org/resources/library/access-to-encyclopedia-judaica/ .

 

Libraries may also have the multi-volume Anchor Bible, which has 83 separate volumes of translation and commentary for every book of the Bible, including the Apocrypha.  Only the best scholars were asked to participate.

 

Of course, one should not overlook the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 3rd ed. (Macmillan, 1992), which is available free online at http://eom.byu.edu/ .  It has many very serious articles on the Bible and Book of Mormon which can supplement your lesson manuals.

[Calm]

Not necessarily what you are asking for but might be useful

http://en.fairmormon.org/FAIR_Study_Aids/Seminary/Old_Testament

I think this will get expanded this year as well.

[Robert F. Smith]

I think there is enough complexity and depth in the scriptures, revelations and teachings of the prophets to more than enhance the curriculum.  I personally find the academic or historical approach a distraction from the doctrinal approach.  It won't make one bit of difference where scholars say Moses parted the Red Sea or if Noah's ark actually landed in Turkey.

I would rather study the doctrinal lessons of the Old Testament, for example, why the Israelites were condemned to wander, or what is the symbolism behind the flood.  And that is more than enough information to turn a milk lesson into meat.

To each his own, I suppose.

However, rpn obviously wants more -- which is in the best tradition of Joseph Smith and his brethren studying Hebrew in the School of the Prophets in Kirtland.  Moreover, Joseph was deeply interested in antiquities and his Times & Seasons took careful notice of the latest books.  Indeed, revelation tells us that we should seek diligently "out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

 

Straw man versions of the value of scholarship (Red Sea and Noah's Ark) don't help us engage the real issues, which you do seem to get in mentioning the symbolism of the flood, or why the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness.  Scholarship raises many legitimate questions and addresses some real concerns, and should not be mocked.

[JLHPROF]

To each his own, I suppose.

However, rpn obviously wants more -- which is in the best tradition of Joseph Smith and his brethren studying Hebrew in the School of the Prophets in Kirtland.  Moreover, Joseph was deeply interested in antiquities and his Times & Seasons took careful notice of the latest books.  Indeed, revelation tells us that we should seek diligently "out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

 

Straw man versions of the value of scholarship (Red Sea and Noah's Ark) don't help us engage the real issues, which you do seem to get in mentioning the symbolism of the flood, or why the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness.  Scholarship raises many legitimate questions and addresses some real concerns, and should not be mocked.

 

I am all in favor of scholarly study, and I recognize that the Prophet set a great example of this.  But I still feel that studying doctrine is more valuable than studying antiquity.  They aren't mutually exclusive, but I have seen too many people get bogged down in the original language root meaning of a single word in a verse of scripture.  I have seen people worry more about where the narrow neck of land was than spend time trying to understand the teachings of the Book of Mormon.  I have seen people who don't bother with studying the sermons of Joseph Smith but can tell you the exact wording of the land deed where Joseph acquired the homestead in Nauvoo.

I don't begrudge scholarship, in fact I admire it.  But it can become a distraction from the doctrines of the gospel.

[Robert F. Smith]

I am all in favor of scholarly study, and I recognize that the Prophet set a great example of this.  But I still feel that studying doctrine is more valuable than studying antiquity.  They aren't mutually exclusive, but I have seen too many people get bogged down in the original language root meaning of a single word in a verse of scripture.  I have seen people worry more about where the narrow neck of land was than spend time trying to understand the teachings of the Book of Mormon.  I have seen people who don't bother with studying the sermons of Joseph Smith but can tell you the exact wording of the land deed where Joseph acquired the homestead in Nauvoo.

I don't begrudge scholarship, in fact I admire it.  But it can become a distraction from the doctrines of the gospel.

Excellent cautionary words all of us ought to bear in mind.  

[Nevo]

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Edited October 1, 2014 by Nevo

[David T]

Ben Spackman at Times and Seasons presented a fantastic list for those asking just such questions. I have very much appreciated and enjoyed his recommendations.