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10/04/2018 | Pressemitteilung

Public lecture series on "Sacred Scriptures

In a public lecture series "Sacred Scriptures", speakers analyze the concepts of sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam from both theological and cultural studies perspectives. The event takes place regularly on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm. It will begin on October 24 with a lecture by Christl Maier (Marburg) on "Which text do we call 'holy'? The futile search for the original text using the example of the Book of Jeremiah".

Presentation of the Gutenberg Bible in the Landesbibliothek, which is part of the University of Kassel (archive image from 2010).

For Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the reference to a corpus of binding texts is identity-forming. These texts are considered sacred: they are recited liturgically, interpreted, and are the subject of teaching and ethical reflection. Their origin is associated with the divine in all three religions; they are the source of revelation.

The justifications of what makes a text sacred differ, as do the form and shape of the texts. How important is the original language? What about the texts is authoritative? What is the role of an inspired author? What place do contradiction and criticism have? The lecture series "Sacred Scriptures" at the University of Kassel explores these questions.

The series is organized by Prof. Dr. Ilse Müllner and Prof. Dr. Mirja Kutzer from the Institute of Catholic Theology. It has an interdisciplinary orientation. With Prof. Dr. Stefan Greif from the Department of Modern German Literature and Prof. Dr. Michael Mecklenburg from the Department of Medieval Studies, two Germanists from Kassel are also participating. Their lectures have the topics "Profanity and Gender. The Poetries of Mrs. Ava and their Reception" (Prof. Mecklenburg) and "Knocking on Heaven's Door. Sacred Texts in Pop Culture" (Prof. Greif).

Judaist Prof. Dr. Hanna Liss, who held the Franz Rosenzweig Professorship in 2017, will be back at the University of Kassel on November 28 with her lecture "For Children, Cantors, and Mystics: The Diversity of Hebrew Bible Editions in the High Middle Ages."

The lectures will take place every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. starting Oct. 24 at the Campus Center, Moritzstr. 18, Lecture Hall 4 (Room 1127). The events are open to the public and free of charge.

Program: https://tinyurl.com/ybg38njb

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ilse Müllner
University of Kassel
Institute of Theology
Tel.: 0561 804 3492
E-mail: ilse.muellner[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communication, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-Mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de