Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · 17d

It was a privilege to share my research on theological anthropology and singing in Origen's homilies at the Dynamics of Religious Practice workshop at University of Tromsø. Great conversation around methodology, cognitive science of religion, and early Christian practice – glad to be a part of it!

1

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · 22d

I recently reflected on Origen of Alexandria and his understanding of sin and human nature. Read if you are interested in some strange exegesis, 'serpent-humans', and some questions about the phrase 'I'm only human'.

I’m Only Human: Sin As The Rejection Of Human Nature

How should we think about our flaws and misbehavior? For some, flaws are something to be embraced: we should be loved ‘warts and all’. For others,

www.patheos.com

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Pseudo-Nathanius Porterensis @nporter.bsky.social · Aug 23

Our Greek-English edition of Cyril of Alexandria's Five Books/Tomes Against Nestorius is now for sale! Order your copy on our website: luxpatrum.com

Includes the authoritative critical Greek text by Eduard Schwartz, along with the only complete translation of the work available in English.

6 8

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Aug 19

What is required for reading the Bible properly? History degrees? Knowledge of biblical languages? Perhaps, faith? Read about the contrasting assumptions of early Christian exegesis and historical critical exegesis, with the former prioritizing a life of virtue in Christian community.

Is Faith Required For Reading The Bible Properly?

Who reads the Scriptures better—Bart Ehrman or my grandmother? One is a world-renowned scholar of the New Testament and textual critic, the other has no

www.patheos.com

2

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Jul 23

Excited to see my article with @jts-journal.bsky.social out on exegesis and theology in the early Arian controversy. academic.oup.com/jts/advance-...

‘Yet not as I will, but as you will’: On the Development of Partitive Exegesis in the Early Arian Controversy

Abstract. John Behr and others have argued that partitive exegesis is central to ‘Nicene’ theology, especially when considering writers such as Athanasius

academic.oup.com

3

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Jul 15

Read about this interpretive strategy and its development in the Arian controversy, here:

Interpreting Christ’s Weakness: On Partitive Exegesis

For today's post, I'm going to focus a bit more on some of the theological frameworks I have been working on for an article– a "first look", as it were,

www.patheos.com

1

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Jul 15

“How do we interpret the human weakness of Christ, if he does not have any weakness as the Son of God? Through debate amidst controversy, the early church developed a particular way to read the Bible which might guide us on this, sometimes called partitive exegesis.

1 2

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Matthew R. Crawford @mcrawford.bsky.social · Jul 3

I am delighted to announce the IRCI has 2 job openings in early Christianity (specialisation open, research-focus, early career). Closing date 15 Aug. Contact me with any questions. We hope you'll consider joining our excellent group of scholars!
candidate.aurion.cloud/acu/producti...

Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow (Early Christianity) - Vacancy Details

candidate.aurion.cloud

35 26

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Stephen C. Carlson @sccarlson.bsky.social · May 9

Come study with us! Fully-funded Ph.D. scholarship opportunity to work on the Late Antique translation of texts.

www.acu.edu.au/research-and...

1 22 24

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Nitzan Shalev @nitzanshalev.bsky.social · Jun 24

Another new volume from VCS 🎉💙 John C. Solheid’s “Pedagogy of the Heart” presents a detailed and accessible analysis of the recently discovered Greek “Homilies on the Psalms” preached by Origen in the late 240s CE.

Check it out here! ⬇️
brill.com/display/titl...

#ISBL #EABS #AcRel #Theology #SBL

Pedagogy of the Heart: Grammar, Philosophy, and the Christian Reader in Origen’s Greek Homilies on the Psalms. By John C. Solheid. Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae, Volume 190. Brill, 2025.

1 5 15

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Sarah E. Rollens @apocalypsenow5.bsky.social · Jun 18

Circulating this growing list of women NT/EC scholars again if any one else wants to add their name!

Please share if you can!

tinyurl.com/WomenNTECsch...

Women Scholars of NT and Early Christianity

tinyurl.com

1 13 16

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Jun 17

The early church provides a model for church discipline that acknowledges the severity of sin while always offering a way back into fellowship—but sometimes it took up to 20 years to do so! Read about it, here:

Ancient Church Discipline: On Sin And Rehabilitation

Moral failings in the church are not a new phenomenon—to read the pages of Christian history is to see sin’s stain throughout. The writings of the New

www.patheos.com

1

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Jun 17

In recent years, moral failings in the church have been especially prominent as numerous Christian leaders have been embroiled in scandals. How should we treat grave sins, especially amongst our leaders? And should there always be a path towards rehabilitation?

1 1

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Justin Weinberg @dailynous.com · May 22

Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre has died.

Alasdair MacIntyre (1929-2025) - Daily Nous

Alasdair MacIntyre, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and Duke University, well-known for his work on moral and political philosophy, has died. Professor MacIntyre wrote...

dailynous.com

2 70 140

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · May 20

As scholars continue to investigate the historical and theological dimensions of the Council of Nicaea (325), we cannot forget what was at stake for the original contributors of the creed - proper worship.

www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

Nicene Worship: Then And Now

I had the privilege of attending a conference in Rome on the Council of Nicaea about a month ago. Throughout the various plenaries, panels, and

www.patheos.com

1 4

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Sabrina Inowlocki @sabrinainowlocki.bsky.social · May 13

📢Try out this tool built by Dr. Moshe Blidstein, my partner in the Josephus Christianus project, which maps the similarity of passages in ancient Hebrew and Greek texts. It provides visualizations and filtering capabilities as well as the texts themselves in parallel. mblida.pythonanywhere.com

Interactive Passage Network

mblida.pythonanywhere.com

2 2

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Kristian Heal @kristianheal.bsky.social · May 11

Fascinating new study showing the kinds of useful insights generated by material philology and digital humanities.

Scribes, Not Just Authors: New Study Uncovers Editorial Brilliance in Medieval Syriac Manuscripts - Medievalists.net

A new study analyzes nearly 1,000 Syriac manuscripts using digital tools to reveal how scribes shaped literary culture through excerpting—introducing a new metric, Excerpts Per Manuscript (EPM), to ma...

www.medievalists.net

4 19

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Lynneth Miller Renberg @lmillerrenberg.bsky.social · May 6

Thinking about popes today on @anxiousbench by looking at one of my favorites, the early medieval pope Gregory I. What makes a pope great? And how do we evaluate papal legacies? www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

What Makes A Pope Great? On Popes And Pastoral Care

With the recent passing of Pope Francis, there has been a lot of discussion about the pope’s legacy. Described by NPR as “one of the most popular popes in

www.patheos.com

1 1

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Apr 30

We were able to discuss the Council's historical context, address how systematic theologians and historical theologians conceptualize ’Nicene Theology’, and consider the place of the Nicene Creed in modern worship. And Eusebius came up a few times!

2

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Apr 30

If you are interested in learning more about the theology of the Council of Nicaea for its 1700 year anniversary (or my work!), this podcast episode from the London Lyceum is a good start.

open.spotify.com/episode/5qGJ...

Nicene Theology and Eusebius of Caesarea with Adam Renberg

The London Lyceum · Episode

open.spotify.com

1 2 5

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Sabrina Inowlocki @sabrinainowlocki.bsky.social · Apr 24

Join us this 1st of May if you want to hear a little more on my work on Pamphilus' library at Caesarea !

4 9

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Apr 15

Read about Eustathius and his unique contribution to the debates around Arius here: www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

On The Forgotten Nicene: Eustathius Of Antioch

What is Nicaea about? Most modern accounts will focus on the theological debate between Arius and Alexander of Alexandria, but the nature of the

www.patheos.com

1 4

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Apr 15

Of the hundreds of bishops present at the council of Nicaea (325), several stand out as key contributors to the theology of the Creed and the opposition to the so-called ‘Arians’. Amongst them is one who is often forgotten, both by ancients and moderns alike—Eustathius of Antioch.

1 5

Reposted by Adam Renberg

Sabrina Inowlocki @sabrinainowlocki.bsky.social · Apr 12

www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Ink, angels and hard graft: the artists keeping Ethiopia’s ancient illuminated manuscript craft alive

In an Addis Ababa workshop, sacred texts are painstakingly crafted on goat skin using methods dating back to early Christianity – plus a bit of inspiration from Google Images

www.theguardian.com

2 5

Adam Renberg @adamrenberg.bsky.social · Apr 7

Now I just have to wait until 2031 for the 1600 year anniversary of the Council of Ephesus!

3