The latest SBL Forum is out, and I wanted to call attention to one article in particular. This is Hector Avalos’s “The Ideology of the Society of Biblical Literature an the Demise of an Academic Profession.” It is interesting that this comes out on the heels of Michael V. Fox’s article criticizing “faith-based scholarship.” Apparently, taking biblical scholars to task for being religious is something of a trend at the Forum.
Although I will try to post something more in-depth when I have had time to reflect on this, my initial reaction to his essay is that it boils down to this: he thinks religion is not important, so he thinks biblical studies is irrelevant as long as it continues to serve theological ends. Avalos says,
In an increasingly global educational market, an academic discipline that is still perceived as serving the theological education of even one complex community of faith (e.g., the so-called “Judeo-Christian”) will be doomed to irrelevance in secular academia. Instead of helping channel more students to theological education, it is better to encourage students to enter a profession more practical for humanity (e.g., food economists or lawyers for the poor).
The problem is that he does not see theology as practical for humanity. If you share his presupposition, you might share his conclusion. But since most of us in biblical studies see theological studies in general and the Bible in particular as being of immense practical value for humanity, his argument carries little weight.
One wonders how a religious educational market in North America and Europe, where the majority of people are Christian or Jewish, could be irrelevant. Even if one just looks at the market, those are pretty strong driving forces. Avalos insists that scholars are merely creating the demand for their work, but that demand is already there. Many people are interested in the Bible, quite often because {gasp} they themselves are religious too. Saying there is a problem with biblical studies serving religious people is like saying there is a problem with a doctor serving sick people. Although he is correct in saying that biblical studies is largely an elitist endeavor (and I don’t agree that this is a negative thing), it is an elite that serves others.
Avalos does have some worthwhile things to say about the discipline, but they are overshadowed by his idea that religion is going to make biblical scholarship irrelevant.
I suspect the biblioblogosphere will be abuzz with this one for a few days. I look forward to reading what others have to say and to adding more to the conversation when I have more time to write (i.e., after I get to America on Monday).
On May 13th, 2006 at 6:26 am
I have not yet read the Acalos’ piece but given the above I would assume that he finds no use for a depart of Classical Studies as well? I would expect such arguments from, say, a professor of business justifying her own existence, but not from a professor of religious studies.