New Testament Mysticism Project
What is it?
The New Testament Mysticism Project Seminar (NTMP) was organized under the
auspices of the Society of Biblical Literature to facilitate the study of early
Jewish and Christian mystical traditions in the New Testament writings. Together, members of the NTMP are collaboratively writing a three-volume commentary covering mysticism in the New Testament. Weblink to NTMP.
What are the main questions of the Seminar?
First, to define the major mystical paradigms in the New Testament writings, their
corresponding empirical indicators (distinct symbols, technical vocabulary,
etc.) and the ways they emerge in the text.
Second, to determine the distinct
features and the stage of development of the major mystical paradigms of the New
Testament authors (Mark, Matthew, Luke, Paul, etc.) as well as the main heroes
of the texts, including the figures of authority (Peter, James, John, Thomas,
Mary Magdalene, Paul, etc.).
Third, to explore the interrelationships between the features of mystical paradigms
of the authors and the features of mystical paradigms of the heroes of the New
Testament writings.
Fourth, to trace and understand the reception history of
selected NT passages through the Ante-Nicene period, with particular care to
understand their emergence as mystical traditions in other contexts.
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What kind of commentary are the members collectively writing?
The
Seminar members are collectively writing a commentary covering
mysticism in the New Testament. The Seminar is progressing
systematically through each New Testament text, writing overviews of
each text as well as commentaries on relevant pericopes. Each entry
includes the original language passage, a new translation, a
line-by-line commentary, an interpretative history of the pericope
through the Ante-Nicene period, literature parallels, and select
bibliography. Entries are discussed at the meetings, revised, and
edited by April D. DeConick, Andrei Orlov and Kevin Sullivan into a
three-volume commentary called New
Testament Mysticism. Volume 1: The Synoptic Gospels, Luke-Acts, Johannine
Literature, and the Catholic Epistles. Volume 2: The Pauline and Deutro-Pauline
Epistles. Volume 3: Hebrews and Revelation.
Who are the members of the NTMP?
Cameron
Afzal, Jared Calaway, April DeConick, Celia Deutsch, Jonathan Draper,
Charles Gieschen, Robin Griffith-Jones, Alexander Golitizin, Robert
Hall, Andrea Lieber, Andrei Orlov, Jeff Pettis, Catherine Playoust,
Christopher Rowland, Alan Segal, Jane Schaberg, and Kevin Sullivan.
When does NTMP meet?
We meet at the Annual Society of Biblical Literature Conventions, full day working sessions on Friday before the meeting.
What is Early Jewish and Christian mysticism?
The NTMPS understands early Jewish and Christian mysticism as a tradition
located within formative Judaism and Christianity, a tradition centering on the
belief that a person directly, immediately and before death can experience God
or his manifestation. These mystical encounters occur as waking visions, dreams,
trances and auditions. Usually this experience is garnered after certain
preparations are made or rituals performed, although it can also be the result
of rapture. The Jewish and Christian mystics most often describe their
experiences in terms of spirit possession and ascent journeys. The culmination
of the experience is transformative in the sense that the mystic is invested
with heavenly knowledge, joins the choir of angels in worship before the throne,
or is glorified in body.
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