Research Colloquium

Research Colloquium Biblical Studies

The Research Colloquium Biblical Studies is primarily aimed at students in advanced semesters who have completed their compulsory modules and/or are particularly interested in working on the New Testament from a research perspective. In addition, doctoral students of the subject also participate.

Aims

The colloquium opens the space to deal with research questions. In addition, it serves to learn skills in scholarly discourse and as a think tank for the preparation of qualifying papers (term paper for the 1st state examination, dissertation).

The intensive work on texts and topics is intended to stimulate discourse. Due to the different interests of the members on a professional level, the colloquium offers the possibility to intensify contacts between the members and thus to gain a fund of subject-specific topics.

Forms of work

At the meetings, topics are dealt with that have opened up in the course of the previous semester. In addition, the group always seeks to get out of the university in order to establish real-life references. In addition to an intensive weekend at the Edersee, excursions to the Jewish Museum in Frankfurt and to the Bibelhaus have already been organized, as well as visits to the special exhibition "Flood & Fall - The Animal World in the Bible" in Kassel.

In the context of the research colloquium New Testament under the direction of Prof. Dr. Paul-Gerhard Klumbies, ten students and the research assistants, Mrs. Hühne and Mr. Haase, started the excursion to Rome on May 25, 2016. Already on the first evening the research colloquium could gain impressions of the city. In connection with an extensive evening walk, the participants could enjoy the impressive view over Rome from the "Gian Nicolo". Already here questions regarding the meaning of Roman buildings could be clarified. Already in this evening it became clear: Rome is a pulsating, impressive and diverse city.

On the second day of the trip, the participants gained insights into the socio-cultural environment of the first Christians in Rome by visiting the Colosseum, the Palatine and the Roman Forum under expert guidance. After this historical dive, the dean of the Waldensian faculty was able to bring the participants back to reality in the afternoon. In his striking sentence "one can live very well in Rome without ever having heard of the existence of Protestant Christians", the life of today's Protestants in Rome and Italy can be well summarized.

The following day, many well-preserved treasures of ancient art could be seen in the Capitoline Museums. Especially the scripture tablets from the first centuries in Greek letters made the hearts of the exegetes beat faster. This program item was followed by a visit to the Basilica of St. Clemente. A church that offers a passage through the century on three floors: From the 17th century A.D. on the first floor down the stairs to the 2nd century A.D. An approach to the first Christians and especially the followers of the Mitras cult could be made here. Towards evening, the participants visited the ancient port of "Ostia Antica", located somewhat outside Rome, which above all provided insights into the economic and social life of the Romans - from baths to theaters, this quiet place offered many opportunities for relaxation and creativity. By the way, this is still true today. Thus, the researchers let the ancient theater blossom to new life through short creative interludes. This eventful day was concluded by an authentic Italian evening: with wine and original Italian cuisine by a European family, the day came to an end and the participants were able to recharge their batteries for the next day. This was also necessary, because on the third day of the Rome trip the visit of the Vatican City was on the agenda. The many Vatican museums and a tour of the Sistine Chapel, as well as a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, including the climb to its dome, finally completed the excursion.