We are pleased to announce the launch of an international Reading Group on Psalms in Interfaith Contexts which will explore these prayer-poems-songs from a multifaith and multidisciplinary perspective.
The Book of Psalms/the Zabur/Sefer Tehillim is among the most popular and widely read of all the books of the Bible. There is no human emotion and mood which is not represented in Psalms. Their resonance transcends time and geographical space. During the global crisis, this ancient book has received fresh attention from an international and interfaith network of artists, clergy, activists, teachers, and scholars. The aims of the Reading Group will include exploring Psalms as a source of solace and inspiration and reflecting on their role in human wellbeing, including mental health issues, and discussing how they invite worshippers to relate to God.
The Group will meet once a month via Zoom for an hour to discuss a specific passage from Psalm(s) and its application in various contexts. An invited speaker would introduce and read a text circulated previously to the members of the Reading Group. An open discussion will follow the presentation.
The Reading Group is open to anyone, and we invite you to register your initial interest below.
International Interfaith Advisory Board
Professor Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School, NC, USA
Professor Eitan Fishbane, Associate Professor of Jewish Thought, the Jewish Theological Seminary, NY, USA
Revd Dr. John Goldingay, the David Allan Hubbard Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary, CA, USA
Rabbi Dr Shai Held, President and Dean of Hadar Institute, NY, USA
Ustadha Yomna Helmy, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge, UK
Professor Joel Kaminsky, Morningstar Professor of Jewish Studies and Professor of Religion, Smith College, MA, USA
Revd Dr. Federico Villanueva, Professor of Biblical Theology, Loyola School of Theology, Philippines
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