SSEC Newsletter 78 March 2014

SSECMarch 2014

eNewsletterNewsletter 78

• SSECRecentEvents• SSECFocus-Upcoming

Events• SSECAnnualConference• SSECPlaudits• SSECTravelGrants• TyndaleTravelGrants,

Scholarships&Fellow-ships

• Article:“Disabilities”byLouiseGosbell

• Article:“ThecrossesofSouthIndia”byGillianSpalding-Stracey

• Non-SSECactivities• SSECCalendar

in this issue

ChristorCaesar:RenderUnto

Caesar?SSEC Conference Sat 3 May 2014

2 SSEC Newsletter 78 | March 2014

From the President’s DeskWelcome to latest Newsletter, which is coming to you in March 2014 (rather than February) so that we can include all the details of our Conference in May 2014. You will also find enclosed a full colour brochure/ registration form - and we hope that you will be able to attend. Click for Conference Registration Form/Program

Also enclosed is a renewal form for Membership for 2014, which is due by end of March each year. Click here for SSEC Renewal form.

For our members who prefer a paper newsletter, these two forms (on paper) have been included in your envelope. Please take a moment to complete both of these forms, and return them to the address on the forms.

For your information, the society has had a very full & productive program of events since our September 2013 Newsletter as fol-lows:

In September, we were honoured to hear from Professor Dr Clau-dia Rapp (Vienna University) with her Topic: Special Friendships and their Affirmations in early Byzantine Monasticism. A number of members indicated that they found this a very interesting talk and were after more information on the paper. We are awaiting her book which, we believe, is well under way.

In October, the society met to welcome Dr Kyle Keimer as Mac-quarie University’s New Lecturer in Ancient Israel Studies. We were enthralled to hear him speak on Hezekiah’s Economic and Political administration of Judah.

Our end of year Society Christmas Event we had, Dr Don Barker, with his intriging topic: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Once again, thank you to all our wonderful speakers, and to our SSEC members who attend our events & continue to make them a worthwhile learning endeavour.

We hope that you can join us at one of our monthly events some time this year, or per-haps at our annual SSEC conference.

Professor Alanna Nobbs AMPresident SSEC

SSEC NewsletterSSEC Newsletter is published three times a year for the Society for the Study of Early ChristianityMarch 2014 Edition : Number 78Chief Editor: Prof Alanna NobbsEditor: Peter EylandWebsite & Newsletter: BJ EylandContributions: SSEC Members

For further information about the Society for the Study of Early Christianity, to update your contact details or to subscribe to the SSEC Newsletter contact:

Email: [email protected]

Website:

www.mq.edu.au/ssec/eventsTelephone: SSEC office (9850 7512),Dr Don Barker (9850 9962),Professor Alanna Nobbs (9850 8844),Ancient History Office (9850 8833)

Cover Photo: Marble Head of Tiberius Cae-sar Augustus, (42BC- AD37), photo by BJ Eyland (Mrs)

“The unique emphasis of our

Society is one of history. The study of Early Christianity in its Jewish and

Graeco Roman Setting.”

SSECfocusThe following items outline “SSEC in focus”, or the future direction of the Society. • SSEC Membership costs will remain as follows:

• OrdinaryMembers=AUD$30• FamilyRate=AUD$35• Concession(Pensionnotsenior,orfull-timestudent)

=AUD$15Please Note: that membership cost has not risen in approximately 20 years.• Dr Peter Edwell, will be providing a Treasurer’s

Report, to members attending the AGM during the SSEC conference on 3 May 2014. This will be reprinted in the June 2014 Newsletter.

SSECupcomingSSECSeminarsThursday 13 March 2014This exciting event is shared jointly between Mac-quarie Ancient History Association (MAHA) and SSEC. Please join us to hear Professor Michael Hoff (University of Nebraska- Lincoln), Topic: Roman Ath-ens.

Wednesday 19 March 2014 is Eric & Carol Meyers Day at Macquarie University. These two professors are being brought to Australia by the Australian In-stitute of Archaeology, courtesy of Dr Christopher J Davey, and we are delighted to host them for two SSEC events on the same day. We hope that you can join us to hear them speak. Lunchtime (1:00pm) Professor Eric Meyers (Duke University) will talk on The Challenge of Hellenism and the Rise of early Judaism and Christianity. In the evening, Pro-fessor Carol L Meyers (Duke University) with Topic: Archaeology and the Hidden Religious Culture of Isra-elite Women.

Thursday 27 March 2014 is our Coptic Evening. Dr Jennifer Cromwell (Macquarie) will be talking on Life in a Late Antique Egyptian Monastery. Please join us for this wonderful event.

Tuesday 1 April 2014 is the annual Joel Oration. This talk is held in conjunction with the Sir Asher Joel Foundation & SSEC. The speaker will be Pro-fessor Oded Lipschits (Head of Archaeology Tel Aviv University), Topic: David and Goliath: The inside

story from Tel Azekah. Reporting on the first two seasons of excavation at this extraordinary site, in which Macquarie University is a dig partner. This will be followed by a light Kosher Supper, please RSVP for catering purposes:[email protected] or phone 0439-817299 website: nste.org.au/davidandgoliath

See the SSEC calendar of events (page 13 of this newsletter) - for further details of cost, time and venue of all upcoming seminars.

SSECconferenceSaturday3May2014ChristorCaesar:RenderUntoCaesar?Each year we are honoured to have international guest speakers. In addition we also invite local academics, papyrologists, archaeologists, numismatists and historians to speak at our conference. We belive that our speakers make this conference very special and will further promote the study of Early Christianity in its Roman context. • At our “Conference Curtain Raiser” on the

Thursday night, 1 May 2013, will have our guest speaker Professor Brigitte Kahl (Columbia University NY) Topic: If the image speaks - what then is Caesar’s? An iconographic investigation of the tribute question in Mk 12:16 and with response chaired by Professor James R. Harrison (Sydney College of Divinity), who is a noted Australian expert in this area. Join us afterwards a light supper with tea & coffee.

• Our SSEC day conference will be held on the Saturday 3 May 2013, (further details below).

• Please mark these two dates into your diaries.

ProfessorBrigitteKahl


ConferenceSpeakersOur Visiting Speaker will be Professor Brigitte Kahl (Columbia University NY). She is also the Professor of New Testament at the Union Theological Semi-nary in New York. Brigitte Kahl is an innovative New Testament scholar whose work has been ground-breaking in Pauline studies. She brings a new per-spective to Biblical scholarship by analysing the dynamic relationship between the New Testament and the Roman Empire. We are very excited that she is coming to speak to us.

She will speak at both events - the conference cur-tain raiser (outlined above) & the SSEC Day confer-ence.

SSECDayConferenceProgrammeConference Start time: Registrations from 8:45am, with first speaker at 9:15am, concludes approx 5:00pm.

The programme includes the following speakers:• Professor Brigitte Kahl (Columbia University

NY) Reclaiming what is not Caesar’s: Paul’s theol-ogy of cross and justification through the lens of Roman trophies.

• Professor James R. Harrison (Sydney College of Divinity) Topic: Provincial Galatia and Augus-tus’ “Res Gestae”: Paul’s Response to the Caesar Cult in the Epistle to the Galatians.

• Professor Laurence Welborn (Fordham NY & Macquarie), Topic: The Political Paul.

• Associate Professor Tom Hillard (Macquarie), Topic: The Roman Emperors, Messianic Hopes and Apocalyptic Anxieties: Another Side of the Imperial Ruler Cult.

• Dr Christopher Forbes (Macquarie), Topic: Christ and Caesar: Friends, Foes, or a False Antith-esis? An Outline of the Issues.

• Dr Bruce Winter (Queensland Theological Col-lege), Topic: You must render to Caesar “divine honours”.

• Dr Norman Young, Topic: The Man Born to be King, John 18:28 to 19:22.

• Colin E. Pitchfork, Topic: Presentation on New Testament Coins.

• Dr John Dickson, with the launch of two books,• and concluding the day with Q&A session.

RegisterNow! Registration Form/ ProgramOther details are as follows:• SSEC Conference 2014 website,• SSEC Proceedings 2014 website for photos & bi-

ography of our speakers, full details of their top-ics & abstracts of their papers.

Venue,parkingandcostsRobert Menzies College, 136 Herring Rd North Ryde NSW. (near Macquarie Uni). There is limited parking at the venue, only three disability spots, so we recommend you take public transport. Nearest train station is Macquarie University and there is a short walk. Conference costs have risen for the first time in years (just five dollars) and will be as follows:• SSECMember:$130• Non-member:$140• Pensioner(age,disabilityorcarers):$95(sameas

lastyear)• students:$55(sameaslastyear)• Partdayat$25(or$20concession)perlecture.Note: cost includes GST, light gourmet lunch & a conference “book of notes”, which highlights the speakers details, background & includes an abstract of their talk/paper & other useful information.

We would appreciate if you could pay in advance, complete your payment details, and forward your conference registration form early, to the address on the form. If you require a receipt for tax purpos-es, please tick the box on the registration form, and a paper receipt will be made available for collec-tion at registration desk at the conference. This will help keep our SSEC postage costs to the abso-lute minimum.

SSECtravelSSEC“Small”TravelGrantsSSEC offers 3 to 4 travel grants annually, of up to $500 to SSEC members who are Ancient History Post graduates by HDR (Higher Degree Research)or coursework, or for recent graduates of these pro-grams, who are not in full time employment. These grants are for reimbursement of bona fide travel expenses to support the student in the study of the (broad) area of Early Christianity.

Many thanks to SSEC Members who contribute to


TyndaleHouseTravelGrantIn addition to the “smaller” travel grants (of up to $500), to 3 to 4 students each year, the Tyndale Travel Grant scholarship is provided by a donation by a SSEC member to one ancient history post graduate student who must also be a SSEC member.

The Tyndale Travel Grant scholarship for 2014 has been generously funded by the Ruys Family. Robin Ruys and her late husband Jan Ruys (who died in 2010) have been members of SSEC since 1995. They have supported SSEC in a number of ways over the years. Robin has donated this SSEC travel grant for 2014, in memory of her husband Jan. On behalf of all SSEC members we wish to extend our sincere thanks for this.

We are pleased to announce that Lyn Kidson, who is a SSEC member and one our volunteer helpers, is the beneficiary of the Tyndale House Travel Grant for 2014. In January this year, Lyn travelled to Tyndale House to further her studies, and we will be bringing you Lyn’s travel report in a future issue of the SSEC newsletter.

Seeking Donations TyndaleHouseTravelGrant2015Each year, the Tyndale Travel Grant scholarship is provided by a donation by a SSEC member. We are once again seeking support for Tyndale House Travel Grant 2015.

These annual scholarships enable students to travel to Cambridge UK, to visit Tyndale House in January each year, in conjunction with the warden of Tyn-dale House and via special arrangement with the Macqaurie University ancient history department. These grants are very worthwhile for the individual students, for SSEC, and for fostering and supporting Macquarie University study and research into Early Christianity.

Scholarships or travel grants cover the cost of airfare, transfers, accomodation, library costs, for a few weeks and we are seeking an amount of $5,000 each student. The grants provide a worthwhile study environment and access to world class libraries, research facilities and/or archaeological sites for research.

“research donations” on their membership renewal forms. All “research donations” go into a pool for distribution to worthy applicants for these “small” travel grants. Your generosity assists SSEC in pro-viding for these “small” travel grants. To apply or for further details please contact [email protected] or Dr Don Barker on [email protected]

TravelReportThanksbyLyndonArden-WongI have been privileged to be the ben-eficiary of the SSEC “small” student travel grant for a second time. The first was in 2010 when SSEC graciously supported my archaeologi-cal field work in Buyeo, South Korea and Khotont Soum, Mongolia. I presented some of the results of that field research in a SSEC talk entitled “Religious Structures of Mongolia and Siberia: the Orkhon Uig-hur stupa and its place in steppe history”. This year, SSEC’S support facilitated my participation in two conferences and a workshop abroad.

My paper was entitled “Some Thoughts on Man-ichaean Architecture and its Application in the East-ern Uighur Khaganate” at the International Associa-tion of Manichaean Studies (IAMS) conference held at SOAS, London. I was then able to run a workshop session discussing my doctoral thesis research with specialists from the Hungarian Institute of Archae-ology and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, Hun-gary. My third talk was given at the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia where I presented a paper enitlted “Reflecting on the Roof Tops of the Eastern Uighur Khaganate: A preliminary study on Uighur roof tiles” at the conference “Pre-Islamic Past of Middle Asia and Eastern Iran”.

With the support of the SSEC travel grant I was not only able to give these lectures, but I was also able to visit research facilities, pore over museum collec-tions and meet with colleagues outside of confer-ence settings to discuss research at greater length. These experiences have enhanced my research with additional feedback and data.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to SSEC (and particularly Professor Alanna Nobbs). SSEC has shown tremendous flexibility in its approach to the study of Early Christianity. SSEC has also been very receptive to collaborations with the Macquarie Asian Historical Research Society (MAHRS).


If you feel that you can assist with a special donation, either anonymously of perhaps in memory of someone, please contact Professor Alanna Nobbs on (02) 9850 8844, or by email [email protected]

NewscholarshiptoJordan2014Announcement:For 2014, SSEC in conjunction with financial support from the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University, plans to offer a Fellowship to The American Center of Oriental Research in Jordan, for research in a SSEC related area.

From their web site - applications close on 1 February 2014 for work in Jordan between May 2014 and April 2015. See their website for details at http://acorjordan.org/index.php/en/

The successful candidate will be announced at the SSEC conference over morning tea.

SSECplauditsDoctorateofLettersforProfessorJudgeOn 29 May 2013 E.A.Judge was ‘admitted to the de-gree of Doctor of Letters’ in the University of Canter-bury, Christchurch, NZ. In 1949 he had completed the MA Honours program there in Latin, when Can-terbury was a College of the former University of NZ. The ‘course of study prescribed by the University’ for a ‘Higher Doctorate’ consisted of the 52 essays se-lected and edited by D.M.Scholer, Social Distinctives of the Christians in the First Century: Pivotal Essays by E.A.Judge (Peabody, MA, 2008) and by J.R.Harrison, The First Christians in the Roman World: Augustan and New Testament Essays (Tübingen 2010).

Discovery Early CareerResearcherAward(DECRA)

The DECRA scheme (part of the Discovery Program) is a Federal Government, Australian Research Council initiative. The DECRA scheme provides focused support for researchers and create more opportunities for early-career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

We are pleased to let all SSEC members and supporters know that Brent Nongbri (ex Yale), was awarded an Early Career Fellowship from the Australian Research Council that will run from 2014-2016.His Fellowship was originally awarded under the sponsorship of Professor Larry Welborn when he first came to Macquarie. This is Brent’s third competitive postdoctoral award, this time from the Australian Research Council. SSEC provided the financial support for the second year of his initial Faculty Fellowship after which he won a Macquarie University Research Fellowship. We are delighted with this recognition of his work. The title and description of his latest project is: “How Old are the Oldest Christian Manuscripts? The Modern History of Ancient Christian Papyri and a New Approach to Establishing their Dates.”

RundlePublicationSubsidy2013Through the generosity of Dr Val Rundle, the Ancient History Department of Macquarie University offered for 2013, a publication subsidy of up to $2,200. By the do-nor’s wish, preference of the subsidy has been granted to a publication in the area of early Christian studies.

The grant is awarded to a Macquarie Ancient History Department PhD graduate of up to four years’ standing, who is, or is willing to be, a Departmental Honorary As-sociate. Applications closed on 31 October 2013 & we are very pleased to announce that the recipient of this subsidy is Dr Eliezer Gonzales, whose thesis on Tertul-lian is to be published by Mohr Siebeck, (March 204). His book contains in its preface an acknowledgment of the Rundle Publication subsidy & the Department of Ancient History . Our congratulations go to Eliezer on behalf of all SSEC members and supporters.

It is planned to offer this publishing subsidy again 2014.6 SSEC Newsletter 78 | March 2014

the etiquette associated with invitations. In the ancient world the decision about who you invited to your banquet was primarily about honour and reciprocity. That means, that you would invite others who were of your approximate social status or above and their presence at your banquet would bring you honour. In return, those of high status would reciprocate your offer, and invite you to attend their banquet which would bring them honour also and so on. In this case, you did not invite those of low socio-economic status, or those who were without rank or wealth as this would not bring you honour, but rather shame and embarrassment. Jesus, again, makes a connection here between banqueting and the Kingdom of God by highlighting that everyone, including the marginalised members of the community, are all recipients of invitations to the heavenly banquet and thus, earthly banquets should once again reflect this.

Interestingly, though, this has not always been the main focus in teachings on this parable. The traditional, and most widely accepted approach to this second parable, is that it is an eschatological parable used by Luke to emphasise to his first century Gentile community, the salvation and inclusion of Gentile Christians into the community of God. Many have argued that the focus of the parable is on the fact that the Jews, those who were first invited to the heavenly banquet, have rescinded God’s offer, and in a shocking turn of events, it is the Gentiles who have received, and accepted, God’s offer of hospitality.

One of the consequences of this interpretation is that it sees the parable as being the work that God has already


SSECarticlesBanqueting and Disability intheAncientWorldbyLouiseGosbellPhDcandidateMacquarieUniversity

Chapter 14 of Luke’s gospel opens with Jesus and his disciples attending a banquet in the house of a prominent Pharisee. After Jesus is seen to heal a person from “abnormal swelling” (NIV) the discussion turns to the issue of banquet etiquette. In the first parable Jesus focuses on the issue of seating arrangements at banquets. This was a discussion topic that was well known to the ancient philosophers. Writers such as Plutarch, Plato and Xenophon, all address this issue of seating placements at banquets and the etiquette associated with it. Unlike the Greek philosophers, however, Jesus is addressing more than just a topic for philosophical discussion. Firstly, he is sharing with his hearers something of the nature of the kingdom of God as a place of equality and inclusion. Secondly, in the light of this, he is also using this opportunity to openly critique the practice of banquet guests vying for higher ranked positions, a practice that was taking place even amongst the religious leaders of the Jewish community.

In the second parable Jesus continues his critique of ancient banqueting culture. In this case, he addresses

PictureofAncientHistoryMacquariebreakfastattheSocietyofBiblicalLiteratureMeetinginNovember2014inBaltimore,includingLaurence&DianeWelborn,AlannaNobbs,DonBarkerandMalcolmChoat.

completed. God has brought in the marginalised, that is the Gentiles, and so this parable has no further application to the Christian community. Instead, I would like to propose that Jesus has more of a literal interpretation in mind here when he refers to “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” and this becomes clear to us when we investigate this passage in the light of ancient banqueting imagery.

Firstly, the Greco-Roman culture within which this parable was written had a general fascination with the unusual and what is referred to as the “grotesque.” There are many references by the Greek and Roman writers, as well as images in the artwork of the ancient world, that reveal their interest and curiosity in these areas. However, what is important for understanding this parable, is the fact that it was very often within ancient banquets that these “grotesqueries” were displayed.

Part of the culture of ancient banqueting was the presence of various entertainers. This entertainment may have included singing, dancing, music, miming and theatre or comic repartee. What the ancient writers and artwork reveal is that in many cases these entertainers were actually people with various physical disabilities. Sometimes they were people with hunched backs or short-statured people (“dwarfs”) or people with other physical conditions or impairments that made them a source of interest to others. What was the purpose of this? Well, the Roman writer Cicero tells us that in relation to banquets “there is good matter enough for jesting in deformity and bodily disfigurement” (Cicero, De Oratore 2.58.238-239). In other words, displaying people with various physical impairments was a source of entertainment and amusement for the banquet guests.This image of those with disability fulfilling the role of entertainer at ancient banquets is so pervasive that it is difficult to imagine that it was unknown by Jesus and the writers of the New Testament material. Assuming then that this is the case, then this changes the way we understand this parable. In the Lukan parable of the banquet those who would not normally have been recipients of banquet invitations are now being specifically invited. Those who were in the Graeco-Roman culture only the servants, only the entertainment, are now being invited as equals to partake of the joys of the symposium.

In light of the Greco-Roman imagery then, the Lukan parables in chapter 14 are making a social statement about the marginalised members of the community. Firstly, in an eschatological context - that in the future kingdom, equality will be experienced not only by the wealthy and elite of this world, but by all those who are invited and choose to attend the eschatological banquet. But secondly, perhaps it is in a pragmatic sense


also - that this equality is not one that should be only sought in the future kingdom, but is an equality that should be lived out as part of the experience of seeking to follow Christ. The references to “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” are not random or incidental categories of people, but clearly set chapter 14 in the context of the inequality of the banqueting culture of the ancient world, setting a standard of what is expected for those who belong to the new community being created in Christ.

Interpreting this parable in the light of ancient banqueting imagery means we no longer interpret the outsiders solely as the Gentiles and see ourselves as those outsiders who have been brought into God’s house. It forces us to think beyond a work that God has already completed, and focus on one that is still in progress - a work of seeking out and inviting in, indeed imploring,

Image2-PhotobyLouiseGosbellGreekorRomanbronzestatuetteofa“grotesquedwarf”.

100BCE-100CELocatedattheNewYorkMetropolitanMuseum,NewYork.

Image1-PhotobyLouiseGosbellGreekkantharos(drinkingvessel).550-540BCE.

LocatedattheLouvre,Paris.


the disenfranchised in our communities to accept God’s invitation. We are indeed the ones who must heed the banquet host and “go out quickly into the streets and lanes and compel them to come in so that God’s house may be full”.

Image 1, of banquet entertainers - the entertainer has feet twisted upwards. The context of the banquet is evident through the image of the wine vessel pictured on the left - wine kraters because of their association with banqueting and symposium came to be a symbolic representation of banqueting on Greek pottery.

Image 2, dating between the first century BC-first century AD depicts a short-statured person (“dwarf”) carrying a tray of food, from which he is helping himself. It is possible he is a street merchant or just as likely, he is a servant carrying food into a banquet meal. The artist of this piece reinforced the stereotype of “dwarfs” being selfish and unreliable by indicating that this particular character is helping himself to the food!

I am greatly indebted to the generosity of Anglican Deaconess Ministries in awarding me the Anna Pallister scholarship in 2011. This scholarship helped enable me to explore this topic in depth while studying at Tyndale House in Cambridge in 2011.

ThecrossesofSouthIndiabyGillianSpalding-StraceyPhDCandidate,MacquarieUniversity.

The spread of Christianity is so global that few are surprised to hear of Christian communities in India. Many people unfamiliar with Indian history assume that Christianity reached India with the Portuguese in the 1500s or even the British in the 1700s. While it is true that those two groups came with their missionaries as well as their traders, when they arrived they found already well established Christian communities, particularly along India’s west coast. Importantly, these Christians claimed to have been there since the time of the Apostle Thomas. In fact Christianity has a strong and enduring tradition in India from at least the 4th century if not earlier. The belief in the so-called St Thomas tradition is so strong and entrenched within contemporary Indian thinking that even non-Christians speak of it as a matter of note.

Less well known, even within India’s Christian communities, is that there are ancient stone crosses in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. I was fortunate during the final semester of my Masters in Ancient History at Macquarie University, under the

guidance of Dr Ken Parry, to be able to visit Kerala in South India and see some of the stone crosses which pepper that state. The crosses are not well known outside Kerala, and even within that state some are only known within their local communities. This is both good and bad. It is good that the crosses are ‘owned’ by the local communities because this ensures that they are looked after to some extent. It is bad that they are not properly recorded in archaeological and historical terms and are likely in the long term to either suffer degradation through the natural ageing process, or equally as bad, over-enthusiastic restoration or renovation not in sympathy or keeping with the original.

Dr Ken Parry’s work in South India was my inspiration and through him I was introduced to Fr Jacob Thekeparampil, director of the St Ephrem Ecumenical Research Institute (SEERI) in Kottayam, Kerala, who is very knowledgeable about the crosses and Christianity in Kerala in general. Fr Jacob provided me with important insights. SEERI also has an excellent library and runs courses in Syriac language which is still used in liturgical practice in some Kerala communities.

Kottayam is a bustling town in Kerala and a centre of early Christianity. A number of the stone crosses are located within proximity to Kottayam and I was able to visit most of them. Others are located closer to Cochin (Kochi) and throughout the state.

Essentially they are of two types of crosses. The first and likely earlier crosses are the so-called St Thomas or Persian crosses. These are copies of the original cross in Chennai, associated with the Apostle Thomas, and which I was also able to visit. The Persian crosses are all almost identical and form a recognisable design motif which is increasingly being used in modern church architecture in South India. For example the motif appears in moulded cement in the relatively recent boundary walls of the Chinnamalai shrine in Chennai, a place where St Thomas is supposed to have taken refuge from the people who eventually martyred him.

The old Persian crosses are cut in relief from granite tablets with four almost equal arms, with the vertical axis being slightly longer. Each of the arms terminates in an unusual trefoil, which resemble pomegranates, enclosed by curled leaves. A dove descends to touch the top of the cross. The floriated design at the base of the cross has been the subject of speculation but appears to be a stylised lotus flower not dissimilar to those seen under the feet of Hindu deities. The lotus is widely attested in Indian art, both Buddhist and Hindu. Under this is an arrangement of steps. The Persian crosses are enclosed within an arch which rests on two pillars. Again the fauna on the pillars have a strong Indian flavour. The crosses


have Pahlavi inscriptions from which their descriptor derives. Dating of the crosses has been difficult but broadly they are thought to date to around the 7th or 8th century. To date seven Persian crosses have been identified in South India. The one at St Thomas Mount in Chennai is thought to be the original. The others are in Kerala. There are also thought to be similar crosses in Pakistan and Sri Lanka and even one in Goa which has only recently been discovered and about which not much is known.

The standing crosses, or Nasrani Stambams are very different to the Persian crosses. They are a feature of many churches in Kerala, usually external to the church but generally within the church grounds. These are plentiful throughout Kerala and some are relatively new. Along with brass oil lamps and flag poles, these tall, free-standing crosses form part of Kerala church architecture. The provenance of the standing crosses is unknown. Each is unique though some have shared design elements. As with the Persian crosses, the tall crosses are strongly Indian in appearance with symbols not usually associated with Christianity such as lotus flowers and elephants and medallions more commonly seen in Buddhist art. The plinths of the standing crosses are highly decorative and it is here that the greatest artistry is expressed. No two plinths that I saw were identical or even similar. The plinth at Manarkad was of polished brass with repoussé motifs of vine leaves and grapes. The plinth at Kaduthuruthy is of elaborately carved granite with elephants and peacocks, very reminiscent of Hindu temple carvings and the plinth at Puthupalli is of brick and plaster, painted white and with elaborate niches and arches. If there is a dominant feature it would be the inverted lotus, though there are many variations even here.

It was clear to me that these crosses are still venerated by the local communities who maintain them. It was not unusual at dusk to see people lighting lamps around the crosses. This seemed to be an everyday occurrence rather than just for special occasions. It was especially interesting to observe the way in which the community interacted with these artefacts. On several occasions, and at various locations, I noticed men and women lighting oil lamps and candles at the base of the crosses, garlanding them with flowers, and performing circumambulations, much as they would with any Hindu deity or object of veneration. The gestures of veneration that they used in relation to the crosses were no different to those used in Hindu worship suggesting to me that the crosses (and possibly their meaning) are well integrated into daily life in Kerala. Anecdotally, and this is corroborated by scholars, veneration of the crosses is not limited to Christians with so-called miracle crosses being popular places of pilgrimage even among non-Christians.

The South Indian crosses give a good insight into the establishment of Christianity in Kerala and more to the point its continued strength and integration into Indian life. The crosses are an important part of India’s Christian heritage and while they are slightly better known now thanks to work by people like Dr Parry and Fr Jacob, there is still much to do to raise awareness about them.

Editors’ Note The Society takes no position on the intellectual content of papers and articles.

AncientPersiancrossatValiapallichurch,Kottayam,Kerala

Oneoftheoldestandlargeststandingcrosses-Kaduthuruthy,Kerala.

StoppressProfessorLaurenceWelbornWe are pleased to hear that Larry is recovering well at home after his recent eye operation. We know that all SSEC members extend to him their warm-est thoughts and our hope for a speedy recovery. Please note that Professor Welborn is making travel plans to be at the SSEC Conference in May 2014.

NewSSECcommitteevolunteersandhelpersthankstoBernardandfarewell!!!

We wish to thank Bernard Carey for serving in the SSEC Office for the last couple of years, he has cer-tainly streamlined our processes and ensured that all payments received via cheque, cash or credit card are processed promptly to the Macquarie Uni-versity cashier. We extend our thanks and wish Ber-nard and his wife Hilary a pleasant journey and life in Bristol UK.

Our newer volunteers are: Karyn Young, Lydia Gore-Jones, Gillian Spalding-Stracey, Alice Baker and Ker-rie Worboys. We wish to say ”Many thanks!”

These newer members are joining the SSEC volun-teer helper team with our other longer serving vol-unteers as follows: Angela Abberton, Lyn Kidson, Mrs BJ Eyland, Peter Eyland, Dr Don Barker and John Aitchison.

Our new committee members will be joining us in May 2014 - when we hold our AGM, these will be an-nounced at the May SSEC conference, on the SSEC website and also in the June edition of the SSEC Newsletter.

AnniversaryCelebrations2014 is Macquarie University’s 50th anniversary and SSEC’s 27th anniversary! We plan to have an event, later in the year, possibly in August to commemo-rate the 2000th anniversary of Augustus’ death. We hope to bring you some details in future SSEC news-letters.

SSECSeminarReminders• Please let us know your email address, and

we can send you a brief reminder about SSEC seminars and other events of interest.

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SSECfacebookFollow us on Facebook! Thanks to Jennifer Irving for setting this up & for Alice Baker continuing to be the administrator of our Facebook group. Try this link to join us on facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/groups/152884928081983/?bookmark_t=group

Bequests If you would like to leave a Bequest to the Society for the Study of Early Christianity Macquarie University, please phone Professor Alanna Nobbs on (02) 9850 8844 or email me at [email protected]

non-ssecevents Macquarie Ancient Languages School (MALS) – Winter School Monday 7 July 2014 to Friday 11 July 2014. For enquires please email: [email protected] website: Click here for website

Continuing Education Programme - Cost $220 per unit. Dates for Session 2, & the full list of units on offer will be available on website Click here for website

Centre for the History of Christian Thought and Experience - runs seminars fortnightly on Thursdays at 6.00 pm. For further information contact A/Prof Stuart Piggin 9850 8816, or email: [email protected]

Face to Face with the New Testament Dr Don Barker, a Papyrologist at Macquarie University, leads this seminar for special interest groups. Cost per student - $20.90 Dr Don Barker on 9850 9962 or email: [email protected]

Macquarie Ancient History Association (MAHA) – For enquiries 9850 9965, 9850 8833, or email: [email protected] or website: www.ancienthistory.com.au/news.php

The Sir Asher Joel Foundation supports the participation of Macquarie people (and the public) in archaeological field work in Israel through our agreement with Tel Aviv University, and offers post graduate scholarships and brings a visiting fellow in Early Jewish studies to Australia each year. For further information please contact Dr Gil Davis by email: [email protected]

Colloquium:The Australian and New Zealand Theological Review - Calling for submissions of scholarly articles in theology for its May 2014 and November 2014 issues., includes general articles in all areas of theology, church histo-ry and biblical studies. Articles are peer reviewed. http://colloquiumanztheologicalreview.com/call-for-submissions/ further information Anne Elvey, [email protected]

The Australian Centre for Egyptology & the Rundle Foundation EVENTS for 2014• 2014 Annual Mini Conference 6th April 2014• Third Australasian Egyptology Conference 16th to 19th July 2014 For further information please contact the

ACE office on (02) 9850 8848 or email: [email protected] or website: http://www.egyptology.mq.edu.au/egyptology/index.htm

Macquarie Asian Historical Research Society (MAHRS) – For enquiries email: [email protected] on the MAHRS website www.mahrs.org and on the MAHRS facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MAHRS.org.

Inscriptions and Life in Roman Asia Minor - May 31-June 6, 2015, Post-seminar optional tour, June 7-10, 2015 Seminar $US995; Tour $US395 (in double occupancy) Seminar leader: Dr. Rosalinde Kearsley, Macquarie University, assisted by Dr. Mark Wilson, Asia Minor Research Center/Regent University, and local epigraphers from Akdeniz University. Seminar Topics Include: Introduction to epigraphic method, Roman government and administration (roads & communication), Roman colonies and soldiers (the imperial cult),Life in the Greek cities under Roman rule & civic elites. Seminar will be limited to 15 participants. For more information contact Mark Wilson at: [email protected]

Membership Renewal & Electronic Newsletter• Membership renewals are due in March each year - if you have overlooked your payment to

renew your SSEC membership it would be appreciated. Click on this link for a renewal form• If you would prefer to receive future newsletters electronically in PDF format by email, then

tick the box labelled Electronic Newsletter on your renewal form.


SocietyfortheStudyofEarlyChristianityAncient Cultures Research Centre

Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 Tel. (02) 9850 7512 Fax (02) 9850 9001/8240Email: [email protected] Website: www.mq.edu.au/ssec/events

SSECNewsletter 78 as at March 2014

eNewsletterSSECCalendarofEvents2014 (last updated 1 March 2014)

Date Details Venue&Cost

Thurs 13 March 2014 7:15pm

Event shared jointly between Macquarie Ancient History Association (MAHA) & SSEC. Speaker: Professor Michael Hoff (University of Nebraska- Lincoln), Topic: Roman Athens. Note: Preceded by drinks & finger food at 6:00pm

Museum of Ancient Cultures - X5B 321

$5members /$8non

Wed 19 Marchlunchtime1:00 pm

Professor Eric Meyers (Duke University) - Topic: The Challenge of Hellenism and the Rise of early Judaism and Christianity Note: Discussion accompanied by tea & coffee

W6A308 (Doc Centre)Donation appreciated

Wed 19 March 7:05pm

Professor Carol L Meyers (Duke University) - Topic : Archaeology and the Hidden Religious Culture of Israelite Women

W6A 107 (First Floor)$5/$8

Thurs 27 March7:05pm

Coptic Event - Dr Jennifer Cromwell (Macquarie), Topic: Life in a Late Antique Egyptian Monastery

W6A 107 (First Floor)$5/$8

Tues 1 April7:30pm

Event shared jointly between the Sir Asher Joel Foundation & SSEC. Sir Asher Joel Oration by Speaker: Professor Oded Lipschits (Head of Archaeology Tel Aviv University), Topic: David and Goliath: The inside story from Tel Azekah. Reporting on the first two seasons of excavations, in which Macquarie Uni is a dig partner. Note: Light kosher supper provided, RSVP to [email protected] or mobile 0439-817299, website: nste.org.au/davidandgoliath

North Shore Temple Emanuel,

28 Chatswood Ave Chatswood

$7 ($5 Students & Pensioners)

Thurs 1 May 7:05pm

Conference curtain raiser: Christ or Caesar: Render Unto Caesar?• Speaker: Professor Brigitte Kahl (Columbia University NY), Topic: If the image speaks

- what then is Caesar’s? An iconographic investigation of the tribute question in Mk 12:16• and Response Chaired by Professor James R. Harrison (Sydney College of Divinity), a

noted Australian expert in this area.

Museum of Ancient Cultures - X5B 321

$5/$8

Sat 3 May Registration at 8:45am for Start: 9:15amFinish: approx 5:00pm

Day Conference : Christ or Caesar: Render Unto Caesar?• Professor Brigitte Kahl (Columbia University NY), Topic : Reclaiming what is not

Caesar’s: Paul’s theology of cross and justification through the lens of Roman trophies • Professor James R. Harrison (Sydney College of Divinity), Topic: Provincial Galatia and

Augustus’ “Res Gestae”: Paul’s Response to the Caesar Cult in the Epistle to the Galatians• Professor Laurence Welborn (Fordham/ Macquarie),Topic: The Political Paul• Associate Professor Tom Hillard (Macquarie), Topic:The Roman Emperors, Messianic

Hopes and Apocalyptic Anxieties: Another Side of the Imperial Ruler Cult.• Dr Bruce Winter (Queensland Theological College), Topic: You must render to Caesar “di-

vine honours”.• Dr Chris Forbes (Macquarie), Topic: Christ and Caesar: Friends, Foes, or a False Antithesis?

An Outline of the Issues.• Dr Norman Young, Topic: The Man Born to be King, John 18:28 to 19:22• Colin E. Pitchfork, Topic: Coins from New Testament Times• Dr John Dickson, With a Launch of two books.

Robert Menzies College

SSEC Member: $130

Non-member: $140

Pensioner (age, disabil-ity or carers): $95

Students: $55

Part day at $25 (or $20 concession) per

lecture.

TBA Aug 2014 7:05pm

We plan to have an event later in the year - possibly August - to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the death of Augustus. TBA (To Be Advised)

TBA$5/$8

Note : Macquarie University enforces parking charges up to 8:00pm daily. Parking charges are $6 for 1 hour, $10 for 3 hours, $25 all day. (rates for 2014). As SSEC seminars start at 7:05pm, attendees need only pay for one hour.

Phone: SSEC Office (9850 7512), Dr Don Barker (9850 9962), Professor Alanna Nobbs (9850 8844) or Ancient History Office (9850 8833)

Website: www.mq.edu.au/ssec/events Email: [email protected]

SSEC Newsletter 78 March 2014

Documents

Transcript of SSEC Newsletter 78 March 2014