📣 Spotlight on Simultaneous Short Papers chaired by Michelle Fletcher

This includes papers showcasing research that does not easily fit into seminar groups. We welcome papers that compare texts, tackle metacritical questions about biblical studies and appeal to a broad section of the Society.

We particularly encourage proposals bridging theological and secular scholarship, engaging non-Western or marginalized perspectives, and challenging conventional boundaries. Scholars from all disciplines, career stages, and backgrounds are welcome.

…examining how diverse faith communities and interpretive traditions have received and theologized NT texts; considering theoretical and methodological implications of viewing theology as reception.

We welcome papers exploring how theological frameworks have influenced interpretation and appropriation of NT texts; analysing contemporary theological readings as reception; investigating dialogue between reception history and theological hermeneutics…

This session examines theology both in reception (how theological commitments shape the reception of NT texts) and theology as reception (how theological work itself might be considered a mode of reception).

Joint Session with Reception, Critical Theory, & Interdisciplinary Studies invites proposals exploring the intersections between theological interpretation and reception history.

We particularly welcome papers from those who would not ordinarily present at a New Testament conference, especially those working in systematic theology or at the intersection of New Testament and doctrine.

Papers may cover Christology in NT texts or conversations in NT Studies; theological reception of Christ in early Christian literature or contemporary traditions; methodological/hermeneutical questions. We are particularly interested in papers engaging Christian theologians in dialogue with the NT.

📣 Spotlight on The New Testament and Christian Theology chaired by Sydney Tooth and Jamie Davies 

- Open Sessions
At our gathering in Maynooth in 2026, we invite papers on the subject of “The New Testament and Christology.”

Recent publications have argued across a broad spectrum - from a pre-70 CE date of John to Johnń cdrawing on one or more Synoptic traditions or texts. The session will feature invited contributions from scholars who have made significant and sustained contributions to this discussion.

- Joint Session with Johannine Literature: John’s relation to the Synoptics 

This themed session explores the relationship between the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels, a question that has re-emerged in Johannine scholarship.

We would warmly welcome proposals from seasoned scholars, post-doc researchers, and PhD researchers alike on any aspect of Synoptic studies. This year we would particularly glad to receive any proposals on the theme of the Kingdom or on eschatology.

📣 Spotlight on Synoptic Gospels and Historical Jesus chaired by Tim Carter and Séamus O’Connell 

This seminar discusses the content, contexts, formation, and theology of the Synoptics from hermeneutical and methodological perspectives, as well as the Historical Jesus and Jesus in the Synoptics.

We particularly encourage proposals bridging theological and secular scholarship, engaging non-Western or marginalized perspectives, and challenging conventional boundaries. Scholars from all disciplines, career stages, and backgrounds are welcome.

· Examine how diverse faith communities and interpretive traditions have received and theologized NT texts.
· Consider theoretical and methodological implications of viewing theology as reception

We welcome papers that:
· Explore how theological frameworks have influenced interpretation and appropriation of NT texts across periods and cultures
· Analyse contemporary theological readings as modes of reception
· Investigate dialogue between reception history and theological hermeneutics

Joint Session with New Testament Theology: Theology in/as Reception

This session examines theology both in reception (how theological commitments shape the reception of NT texts) and theology as reception (how theological work itself might be considered a mode of reception).

We particularly encourage work engaging postcolonialism, intersectional feminisms, queer theory, disability studies, critical race theory, ecocriticism, and other critical theories. We especially welcome perspectives from voices often marginalised within traditional biblical scholarship.

We welcome interdisciplinary research that critically explores NT texts, contexts and content in media and culture, or theoretical methods in relation to NT studies. Reception is understood broadly to include visual arts, film, digital media, music, performance, pop culture, literary studies etc.

📣 Reception, Critical Theory, & Interdisciplinary Studies chaired by Siobhán Jolley and Tom de Bruin

We invite proposals for papers that analyse the reception of the New Testament from antiquity to the present and/or focus on the application of critical theory to the study of the New Testament.

The final session is open to any proposals that engage with the study of Paul.

The next session will extend the conversatio, seeking papers that situate Pauline Christology within the broad landscape of ancient Mediterranean religion and that address related issues such as monotheism and monolatry, divine identity, cultic practice, and cosmology.

The first session focusses on Paul within Paganism: Restoring the Mediterranean Context to the Apostle (Fortress, 2025) edited by Alexander Chantziantoniou, Paula Fredriksen, and Stephen L Young. We invite papers that engage its methods, respond to its arguments, or interact with individual essays.

📣 Spotlight on Paul, chaired by Andy Boakye and Ryan Collman

For 2026, the Paul seminar will host three sessions: Paul within Paganism: Restoring the Mediterranean Context to the Apostle; Divine Christology in Paul’s letters; an open session.

This year we particularly welcome proposals on the Catholic Epistles, including on their canonical status whether individually or as a collection.

📣 Spotlight on Later Epistles, chaired by Nick Moore and Kelsie Rodenbiker

The Later Epistles seminar welcomes proposals on Hebrews, the Catholic Epistles, the Deutero-Pauline Epistles, and other early Christian texts designated as epistolary.

The open session welcomes papers focusing on the Gospel of John and/or the Johannine Epistles. We invite contributions that engage critically with established scholarly debates, as well as papers that introduce new approaches, perspectives, or methodologies in the study of Johannine literature.

Recent publications have argued across a broad spectrum of positions — from proposals for a pre-70 CE date of John to arguments that situate John as drawing on Synoptic traditions or texts. The session will feature invited contributions from scholars who have contributed to this discussion.

📣 Spotlight on Johannine Literature, chaired by Elizabeth Corsar and Paulus de Jong

Joint Session with Synoptics: John’s relation to the Synoptics. This themed session explores the relationship between John and the Synoptic Gospels, a question that has re-emerged in Johannine scholarship.

Please do contact the co-chairs for advice if you are unsure whether your paper’s subject matter is within the scope of the seminar.