Mysticism and Sacred Scripture: Jewish and Christian Perspectives
The two-day conference, led by Brite Divinity School's Jewish Studies program, will convene a group of distinguished scholars in mysticism from all over the United States to explore Jewish and Christian mystical traditions and their engagement with the Scriptures.
The Mysticism and Sacred Scripture runs in tandem with the annual Gates of Chai lecture, “Kabbalah: Then and Now,” led by two distinguished scholars of mysticism. Both events are open to the public.
Mysticism and Sacred Scripture Schedule: Day 1
- 1 p.m. — Welcome | Stephen Cady, President of Brite Divinity School
- 1:05 p.m. — Opening Remarks | Timothy Robinson, Brite Divinity School
- 1:10 p.m. — "Mystical Experience and Daniel 9" | Jonathan Kaplan, University of Texas
- 1:40 p.m. — "'Is Tobit also among the Mystics?': Reading Tobias's Sojourn with Angel along with the Sectarian Texts from Qumran" | Ariel Feldman, Brite Divinity School; and Timothy Sandoval, Texas Christian University
- 2:10 p.m. — "Supporting Roles: The Women who Watch While their Men Ascend to the Heavens" | Shelly Matthews, Brite Divinity School
- 2:40 – 3 p.m. — Coffee break
- 3 p.m. — "Vision, Liturgy, and Mystical Consciousness in the Book of Revelation" | Pieter de Villiers, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- 3:30 p.m. — "The Metaleptic Functionality of Model Prayer in Manuscripts of LXX Odes 7–8, 12" | Robert Matthew Calhoun, Texas Christian University
- 4 p.m. — "Black Fire on White Fire: Kabbalistic Symbol of the Primordial Torah" | Elliot Wolfson, University of California, Santa Barbara
- 7:00 p.m. — Gates of Chai Lecture: “Kabbalah: Then and Now” | Elliot Wolfson, University of California, Santa Barbara; and Brian Ogren, Rice University
Mysticism and Sacred Scripture Schedule: Day 2
- 8:30 a.m. — "Poetic Mysticism in the Zohar and the Hermeneutics of Biblical Language and Imagery" | Eitan Fishbane, Jewish Theological Seminary
- 9 a.m. — "Mystical Eros beyond Song of Songs: Feminist Theologies, Medieval Women Mystics, and Scriptures of Desire" | Amy E. W. Maxey, Oblate School of Theology
- 10 a.m. — "The Secret of the Garment: Philosophy, Kabbalah, and the Delmedigo Debate on Divine Manifestation" | Brian Ogren, Rice University
- 10:30 a.m. — "Through One and the Same Eye: Meister Eckhart on Truth, Exegesis, and Knowing" | Charlotte Radler, Loyola Marymount University
- 11 – 11:30 a.m. — Coffee break
- 11:30 p.m. — "Mystic as Prophet, Prophet as Mystic: Howard Thurman's Preaching on the Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel" | Timothy Robinson, Brite Divinity School
- 12 p.m. — "The Mystical Christian Poetry of Eva Gore-Booth (1870–1926)" | Patricia "Tish" Duncan, Texas Christian University
- 12:30 p.m. — Closing remarks | Ariel Feldman, Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University