This may only be amusing to me and the handful of you out there interested in biblical scholarship, but I find it amusing.
Apparently there is a Jesus Seminar conference coming to Salem, OR. Those of you not familiar with this group, allow me to briefly catch you up. Long story short they are a self appointed group of scholars, led by John Dominic Crossan and Robert Funk, which started back in the 80’s as part of an effort to “discover the historical Jesus.” Among the highlights of this group they are most famously known for voting on the sayings of Jesus using colored beads: red means Jesus probably said it, pink means he might have said it, grey means he probably didn’t say it but it contains his ideas, and black means he definitely didn’t say it.
Surprise, surprise there weren’t many red beads.
But that’s not what amuses about this meeting, it’s who the keynote speakers are.
Jesus Seminar Scholars to Discuss the Origins of Christianity
(SALEM, Ore.) – Scholars of the Jesus Seminar will meet in Salem, Oregon at the Salem Conference Center to discuss the origins of Christianity.
Special features of this meeting will include:
- A conversation with renowned feminist biblical scholar, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza
- A day-long workshop by L. Michael White, recently featured on the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ
- A team of archaeologists who will use the latest tools of history and archaeology to uncover the realities of Roman Corinth, a very early site of nascent Christian activity
None of those people are obviously that interesting, but the last speaker is the real treat….
- An evening with film-maker Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Robocop, Showgirls) discussing his new book, Jesus of Nazareth, and future plans to make a new Jesus movie
You know, because nothing says “authority on Jesus” like the guy who directed Total Recall,
Basic Instinct
, Robocop, Starship Troopers
, and Showgirls
!
N.T. Wright better watch his back…..or get into the movie business.