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Meeting of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Project (SAHP)
Boston, November 2008
The SAHP committee gathered in Boston with almost 40 scholars from around the world to discuss the renewal of biblical and theological interpretation in academic scholarship today. Ryan O’Dowd (chair) articulated the vision for the next stage of SAHP and outlined the major  projects we have established for the coming decade.
Craig Bartholomew then introduced the Paideia Centre for Public Theology and explained its connection to the Scripture and Hermeneutics project and its role in carrying out our vision.
Dave Beldman and Craig Bartholomew also outlined Hearing the Old Testament, a new volume to be published by Eerdmans which seeks to provide a rich and unprecedented theological introduction to the Old Testament. With many of the authors  of this volume in attendance, Craig gave a summary of his opening essay for the book “Listening for God’s Address: A Mere Trinitarian Hermeneutic for the Old Testament.” He encouraged the authors  to approach the Old Testament as Scripture, that is, as God’s first word of good news to a fallen world – an address which anticipates the revelation of Christ in the New Testament. Dr. Mark Boda – an author for this volume and professor at McMaster Divinity College, later said that this is one of the most promising volumes in Old Testament theology in decades.
The last part of our formal gathering included discussion around several theological commentary series edited by members of our committee. We then adjourned to a time of informal fellowship  and discussion. One senior American scholar who had never before gathered with SAHP said afterwards that this was the most meaningful scholarly gathering he had ever attended.
After our meeting, attendees were invited to attend a dinner at a local restaurant. Meals have always been an important part of SAHP gatherings and the tradition continued. 26 scholars joined us for almost two hours of feasting, where old friendships were renewed and new friendships were begun.
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