We are less than a week away from the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature, with the Institute for Biblical Research meeting in between. It is always a highlight of the year for us to attend the meetings, to present papers, to meet with fellow colleagues and friends, and of course, to enjoy the culinary offers of the city, which happens to be San Antonio this year. They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and we expect nothing less.

Stan is presenting a total of five papers next week (including responses), and Dave is presenting two; unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, Hughson is unable to attend this year. We will miss him. The following is a list of papers that we are presenting.

ETS:

Stanley E. Porter – “Synoptic Problem: Four Views book” in the Synoptic Gospels: Synoptic Problem: The Latest section (Marriott-Rivercenter Salon D, 2:00-5:10pm, Tue Nov 15).

Stanley E. Porter – “Response” in the New Testament Greek Language and Exegesis: The Use of Greek in Preaching section (Marriott-Rivercenter Room 12, 8:30-11:40am, Wed Nov 16).

David I. Yoon – “Lexical Semantics and the Meaning of ἔργα νομοῦ in the Pauline Corpus: A Response to Dunn” in the Pauline Studies section (Hyatt: Travis C, 3:00-6:10pm, Wed Nov 16).

Stanley E. Porter – “Why a Greek-Text Orientated Commentary Series is Necessary” in the Septuagint section (Marriott-Rivercenter Room 2, 1:00-4:10pm, Thu Nov 17).

David I. Yoon – “The Shepherd of Hermas, Codex Sinaiticus, and the New Testament Canon: A Review of Criteria for Canonicity” in the New Testament Canon, Textual Criticism, and Apocryphal Literature: The Disputed Books of the New Testament section (Marriot-Rivercenter: Room 13-14, 1:00-4:10pm, Thu Nov 17).

SBL:

Stanley E. Porter – “Respondent to Oropeza and Moyise (eds.), Exploring Intertextuality: Diverse Strategies for the New Testament Use of Texts” in the Intertextuality in the New Testament section (CC-302C, 1:00-3:30pm, Sun Nov 20).

Stanley E. Porter – “Aspect and Imperatives Once More” in the Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics section (CC-304A, 9:00-11:30am, Mon Nov 21).

What makes this year even more special is that our co-blogger, Stan, is celebrating his 60th birthday. There is actually a special session in the Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics section on Monday, Nov 21 (CC-214A, 1:00-3:30pm) to celebrate his birthday, with papers by Jonathan M. Watt on Stan’s contributions to Greek linguistics, Craig A. Evans on his contributions to the historical Jesus and the Gospels, and Christopher D. Land on his contributions to Pauline Studies. It should be an encouraging time to celebrate and honor the career (so far) of a prolific biblical scholar.

We look forward to an uplifting and stimulating week. Stay tuned for updates during the conferences.

— David I. Yoon