A Festschrift (pl. Festschriften) is a volume dedicated to a particular scholar. It typically contains essays written by colleagues or students of the scholar in honor of the scholar’s retirement or another significant life event. In bibliographic entries, Festschriften should be treated like other edited collections. Calduch-Benages, Núria, and Jacques Vermeylen, eds. Treasures of Wisdom: … Continue reading Festschrift
Platonic Ideas
Early Christian texts were influenced by many cultural forms. One prominent influence was Neoplatonism, a philosophical tradition traditionally accredited to Plotinus (204–270 CE) and loosely based on the philosophical tradition begun by Plato (427–347 BCE). Since many scholars write about the connection between Platonism, Neoplatonism, and early Christianity, it is useful to establish some basic … Continue reading Platonic Ideas
Saint
Writing about matters that touch on religious commitment and practice inevitably raises a question about the proper stance of the author to the subject. Although some writers adopt the language and tone of an adherent in order to reach the community of faith, scholarly writing, as a rule, seeks to communicate in as neutral a … Continue reading Saint
Noting Biblical Versions
SBLHS 2 §8.2.1 lists many standard abbreviations for ancient textual versions and modern biblical editions (e.g., LXX, MT, NRSV, BHQ). However, it does not explicitly indicate where the notation should occur in relationship to a biblical citation. Should one, for instance, cite LXX Prov 1:1 or Prov 1:1 LXX? Should one include the notation in … Continue reading Noting Biblical Versions
Separating Multiple Series
As noted in the SBLHS 2 §§6.1.4.4, 6.2.15, multiple publishers should be separated by a semicolon in a bibliographic entry. 15. Birger Gerhardsson, Memory and Manuscript: Oral Tradition and Written Transmission in Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity, ASNU 22 (Lund: Gleerup; Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1961). Gerhardsson, Birger. Memory and Manuscript: Oral Tradition and Written Transmission in … Continue reading Separating Multiple Series
Lengthy Titles
Older works often included descriptive information in their titles, resulting in rather lengthy titles. For example: Title of Record: Young, Robert. Analytical concordance to the Bible on an entirely new plan: containing every word in alphabetical order, arranged under its Hebrew or Greek original, with the literal meaning of each, and its pronunciation; exhibiting about … Continue reading Lengthy Titles
In recent years, Twitter has become a popular forum for sharing scholarly ideas. As such, it is helpful to establish some basic citation guidelines for this social media site. Basic Terms First, some basic terms. Twitter is a social media site, which means that it is a website designed to enable individuals to create and … Continue reading Twitter
In recent years, Facebook has become a popular forum for sharing scholarly ideas. As such, it is helpful to establish some basic citation guidelines for this social media site. Basic Terms First, some basic terms. Facebook is a social media site, which means that it is a website designed to enable individuals to easily create … Continue reading Facebook
Progymnasmata
The term progymnasmata (“preliminary/preparatory exercises”) refers to a series of compositional exercises that taught students in antiquity how to write and deliver declamations (speeches). The exercises educated students in the use of various elements of effective rhetoric, including “μῦθος (*fable), διήγημα (*narrative), χρεία (anecdotal apophthegm), γνώμη (maxim…), ἀνασκευή and κατασκευή (refutation and confirmation), κοινὸς τόπος … Continue reading Progymnasmata
Torah versus torah
Earlier posts discussed the question of when to write Gospel or gospel and when to write Epistle or epistle. This post deals with a related issue: when to write Torah or torah and when to write Law or law. Brief examples are provided in SBLHS 2 §§4.3.4.1 and 4.3.6. This post discusses these examples in … Continue reading Torah versus torah
SBL Handbook of Style 