Tom Thatcher is Professor of Biblical Studies at Cincinnati Christian University, USA. He has authored or edited numerous books and articles on the Johannine Literature and early Christian media culture. Chris Keith is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity and Director of the Centre for the Social-Scientific Study of the Bible at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, UK. Raymond F. Person, Jr. is Professor of Religion at Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, USA.Elsie Stern is Vice President for Academic Affairs at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, USA.

This title goes a long way toward filling a very specific gap in reference sources on the communication and theology disciplines—namely, the media by which the ancients communicated … Summing up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.

• Table of Contents List of ContributorsTable of AbbreviationsHow to use this BookMedia Studies and Biblical Studies: An IntroductionAbecedaries, Christopher Rollston, George Washington University, USAActual past, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAAlexandria, Library of, Joel Kalvesmaki, Dumbarton Oaks, USAAmarna LettersAmulets, Carol Fontaine Andover Newton Theological School, USAAnswerability, Barbara Green, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, USAApocalypses, Early Christian, Leslie Baynes, Missouri State University, USAApocalypses, Early Jewish, Philip Esler, University of Gloucestershire, UKArchetype/schema, Barry Schwartz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IsraelArchives/Libraries, Matthew Larsen, Yale University, USAAssmann, Jan, Jens Schroeter, University of Berlin, GermanyAudience address/asides, Tom Boomershine, United Theological Seminary, USAAuthorship (Concept of), Hindy Najman, Yale University, USABakhtin, M. M., Barbara Green, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, USABaptism, Everett Ferguson, Abilene Christian University, USABauman, Richard, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USABiosphere, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USABlessings and Curses, Melissa Ramos, University of California-Los Angeles, USABultmann, Rudolf, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USACalendars (Time Mapping), Sacha Stern; Helen JacobusCanon/Scripture, Tomas Bokedal, University of Aberdeen, UKCartography (Space Mapping), Ora Limor, The Open University of Israel, Israel; Oded Irshai, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IsraelCatechism, Marcie Lenk, Shalom Hartman Institute, IsraelCave of Letters (Nahal Hever), Mladan Popovic, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, NetherlandsChirograph, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USAChronotope, Barbara Green, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, USACircumcision, Sandra Jacobs, King's College-London, UKCodeswitching, Sang-il Lee, Chongshin University, South KoreaCodex, Erin Vearncombe, Princeton University, USACognitive/Personal Memory, Rob McIver, Avondale College, AustraliaCoins, David Wenkel, Moody Bible Institute, USACollective memory, Sandra Huebenthal, Universität Passau, GermanyCollective/Social Memory, Alan Kirk, James Madison University, USAColon, Margaret Lee, Tulsa Community College, USACommunicative economy, Shem Miller, University of Mississippi, USACommunicative memory, Sandra Huebenthal, Universität Passau, GermanyConversation Analysis, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USACountermemory, Judith Odor, Asbury Theological Seminary, USACulley, Robert, Fiona Black, Mount Allison University, CanadaCultural memory, Sandra Huebenthal, Universität Passau, GermanyCylinder seals, Mark Ziese, Johnson University, USADance, Angela Yarber, Wake Forest University, USADead Sea Scrolls and Other Judean Desert Texts, Bennie Reynolds, Tyndale University College, CanadaDeath and Mourning Rituals, Seth Sanders, Trinity College, USADialogism, Barbara Green, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, USADibelius, Martin, Samuel Byrskog, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, SwedenDiscourse Analysis, Stan Porter, McMaster Divinity College, CanadaDrama, Joann Brant, Goshen College, USADundes, Alan, Wolfgang Mieder, University of Vermont, USAEarly Christian Literature, Tobias Nicklas (Universität Regensburg, Germany) and Julia Snyder (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany)Early Jewish Literature, Eva Mroczek, University of California-Davis, USAEducation in Ancient Israel, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAEducation in Hellenistic Israel, Heather Gorman, Johnson University, USAElephantine Papyri, Verena Lepper, Humboldt University of Berlin, GermanyEnchiridion, Judith Odor, Asbury Theological Seminary, USAEnochic literature (mainly 1 Enoch), Rodney Werline, Barton College, USAEpigraphy, Christopher Rollston, George Washington University, USAEquiprimordiality, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USAEthnography of speaking, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAEthnopoetics, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAEucharist, Jens Schroeter, University of Berlin, GermanyExorcism, Ida Fröhlich, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, HungaryFasting, Finnegan, Ruth, Eric Eve, Harris Manchester College, UKFlashbulb Memories, Rob McIver, Avondale College, AustraliaFoley, John Miles, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAFolkloristics, Song-Mi "Suzie" Park, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, USAForm Criticism, Samuel Byrskog, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, SwedenFormula, Aaron Tate, University of Wisconsin, USAGenealogies, Ingeborg Löwisch, Universiteit Utrecht, NetherlandsGenre, Aubrey Buster, Emory University, USAGerhardsson, Birger, Samuel Byrskog, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, SwedenGist, Rob McIver, Avondale College, AustraliaGlossalalia, David Allen, Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, UKGlossolalia, David Allen, Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, UKGoody, Jack, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAGospel reading/performance, Tom Boomershine, United Theological Seminary, USAGraffiti, Craig Evans, Houston Baptist University, USAGreat Tradition/Little Tradition, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAGreco-Roman Theories of Media, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAGreek poetryGunkel, Hermann, Samuel Byrskog, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, SwedenGuslar, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAHaftarah, Elsie Stern, Reconstructionis Rabbinical College, USAHalbwachs, Maurice, Barry Schwartz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IsraelHallel, Elsie Stern, Reconstructionis Rabbinical College, USAHavelock, Eric, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAHebrew poetry, Katherine Hayes, Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, USAHexapla, John Meade, Phoenix Seminary, USAHistoriography (Ancient), Beth Sheppard, Duke University, USAHomeric question, Aaron Tate, University of Wisconsin, USAHot Memory/Cold Memory, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAHousehold items, Carol Meyers, Duke University, USAHouses, David Balch, Pacific Lutheran Theological SeminaryHymes, Dell, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAHymns, Eva Mroczek, University of California-Davis, USAIconography, Carol Fontaine, Andover Newton Theological School, USAIdentity (Social and Personal), Coleman Baker, Texas Christian University, USAInitiation Rituals, Michael Hundley, Syracuse University, USAIntersemiotics, Dan Fitzgerald, Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship, USAIntertextuality/Canon Criticism, Hindy Najman, Yale University, USAIpsissima verba/structura, Tom Boomershine, United Theological Seminary, USAJamnia/Yavneh, Ed Gallagher, Heritage Christian University, USAJesus Tradition, Rafael Rodriguez, Johnson University, USAJousse, Marcel, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USAJubilees, Bennie Reynolds, Tyndale University College, CanadaKelber, Werner, Eric Eve, Harris Manchester College, UKLector, Dan Nässelqvist, University of Gothenburg, SwedenLetters, Minna Shkul, University of Sheffield, UKLetters, Minna Shkul, University of Sheffield, UKLiteracy, Chris Keith, St. Mary’s University, UK Long term/short term memory (operation and characteristics), Marti Steussy, Christian Theological Seminary, USALord, Albert, Scott Garner, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, USALXX, John Meade, Phoenix Seminary, USAManuscript, Chris Keith, St. Mary’s University, UK Master Myths/Narratives, Yael Zerubavel, Rutgers University, USAMcLuhan, Marshal, Tom Boomershine, United Theological Seminary, USAMeals/Banquets, Andrea Lieber, Dickinson College, USAMemory Persistence and Decay, Rob McIver, Avondale College, AustraliaMemory Theater, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAMetonymy, Katherine Hayes, Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, USAMishnah, Catherine Hezser, SOAS University of London, UKMonuments, Warren Carter, Brite Divinity School, USAMouvanceMT, John Meade, Phoenix Seminary, USAMultiformity, Shem Miller, University of Mississippi, USAMurals/mosaics, Sean Burrus, Duke University, USAMusic, John Arthur Smith, Church of NorwayNarrative Gospels, Rafael Rodriguez, Johnson University, USANarrativity, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USANiditch, Susan, Suzie Park, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, USANonverbal Communication (In Performance), Whitney Shiner, George Mason University, USAOaths, Tony Cartledge, Campbell University, USAOng, Walter, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USAOral Tradition, The Comparative Study of, Werner Kelber, Rice University, USAOrality, Eric Eve, Harris Manchester College, UKOrality/Literacy ReferencesOrdeals, invited Michael Hundley, Syracuse University, USA 1/27Original, Terrence Mournet, Ashland Theological Seminary, USAOrthography, Chris Rollston, George Washington University, USAOstraca, Mark Ziese, Johnson University, USAPapias (on writing), Stephen Carlson, Australian Catholic University, AustraliaPapyrus, Brice Jones, University of Louisiana at Monroe, USAParables (of Jesus), Dieter Roth, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, GermanyParchment/Vellum, Brice Jones, University of Louisiana at Monroe, USAParry, Milman,Scott Garner, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, USAPassion Narrative, Ellen Aitken, McGill University, CanadaPauline Literature, Minna Shkul, University of Sheffield, UKPerformance Arena, Shem Miller, University of Mississippi, USAPerformance Criticism, David Rhoads, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USAPergamum, Beth Sheppard, Duke University, USAPeriod, Margaret Lee, Tulsa Community College, USAPesharim, Barry Hartog, Kathlolieke Universiteit Leuven, BelgiumPilgrimage, Allen Kerkeslager, Saint Joseph's University, USAPlato (on Writing), Ward Blanton, University of Kent, UKPluriform(ity), Terrence Mournet, Ashland Theological Seminary, USAPoetics, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAPompeii, Bruce Longenecker, Baylor University, USAPostmemory, Tim Langille, Middle Tennessee State University, USAPotter's Marks, Mark Ziese, Johnson University, USAPreaching, early Christian, Marcie Lenk, Shalom Hartman Institute, IsraelPresentism/constructionism, Anthony Le Donne, United Theological Seminary, USAProphecy: omens, oracles, exhortations, etc., Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAProverbs, Katherine Dell, University of Cambridge, USAPsalms in worship, Susan Gillingham, University of Oxford, UKPublication, Dan Nässelqvist, University of Gothenburg, SwedenPurification Rituals, Hannah Harrington, Patten University, USAQ, Dieter Roth, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, GermanyRabbinics, Natalie Dohrmann, University of Pennsylvania, USARas Shamra, Herbert Niehr, Universität Tübingen, GermanyRe-worked Pentateuch (4QRP), Bennie Reynolds, Tyndale University College, CanadaReading Cultures, Chris Keith, St. Mary’s University, UK Realism, Barry Schwartz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, IsraelRegister, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USAReputation, Rafael Rodriguez, Johnson University, USAReputational entrepreneurs, Rafael Rodriguez, Johnson University, USARewritten Scripture, Bennie Reynolds, Tyndale University College, CanadaRhetoric, Craig Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary, USARiddles, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USASabbath, Elsie Stern, Reconstructionis Rabbinical College, USASayings and Dialogue Gospels, Terence Mournet, Ashland Theological Seminary, USASchwartz, Barry, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAScribal Memory, David Carr, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, USAScribes, Catherine Hezser, SOAS University of London, UKScriptoria, Joel Kalvesmaki, Dumbarton Oaks, USAScrolls, Brice Jones, University of Louisiana at Monroe, USASecondary Orality, Michael Labahn, Martin Luther Universitäte Halle-Wittenberg, GermanySignets, Mark Ziese, Johnson University, USASimonides, Jeff Brickle, Urshan Graduate School of Theology, USA'Sitz im Leben', Judith Odor, Asbury Theological Seminary, USASocial Memory, Sandra Huebenthal, Universität Passau, GermanySociolinguistics, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USASound Mapping, Margaret Lee, Tulsa Community College, USASP, Sidnie White Crawford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USASpecial Grammar, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USASpeech Genres (Theory and Examples), Christine Mitchell, St. Andrew's College, University of Saskatchewan, CanadaStory pattern, Katherine Hayes, Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, USAStorytelling, Ray Person, Ohio Northern University, USASynagogues, Eric Meyers, Duke University, USATargums, John C. Poirier, Kingswell Theological Seminary, USATedlock, Dennis, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USATel El Amarna, Verena Lepper, Humboldt University of Berlin, GermanyTemple, Jerusalem, Liz Bloch-Smith, Saint Joseph's University, USATemple, SecondTemples (Pagan, Civic), Warren Carter, Brite Divinity School, USATestaments, Annette Yoshiko Reed, University of Pennsylvania, USATestimonia, John C. Poirier, Kingswell Theological Seminary, USAText Brokers, Chris Keith, St. Mary’s University, UK Text Criticism, Tommy Wasserman & Ray Person (Ohio Northern University, USA) with Chris KeithTextual Communities, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAThe Great Divide, Chris Keith, St. Mary’s University, UK Theme, Lori Garner, Rhodes College, USATherapeutae, Tom Thatcher, Cincinnati Christian University, USAThomas, Rosalind, Randy Lumpp, Regis College, USATorah Reading, Elsie Stern, Reconstructionis Rabbinical College, USATradition as Memory, Alan Kirk, James Madison University, USATraditional Referentiality, Lori Garner, Rhodes College, USATraditionalism, Anthony Le Donne, United Theological Seminary, USATraditionsbruch, Alan Kirk, James Madison University, USATranslation, James Maxey, Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship, USATransmissionType scene, Deborah Beck, Swarthmore College, USAVilla de Papyri (Herculaneum), Peter Oakes, University of Manchester, UKVindolanda, Greg Snyder, Davidson College, USAVisual Culture and Exegesis, Ryan Bonfiglio, Columbia Theological Seminary, USAWar rituals, Jason Riley, Fuller Theological Seminary, USAWax Tablets, Jeff Brickle, Urshan Graduate School of Theology, USAWisdom Collections, John Kampen, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, USAWorship, Christian, Drew Billings, Pepperdine University, USAWorship, Jewish (including Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Diaspora), Laura Lieber, Duke University, USAWriting Materials (Overview), Emanuel Tov (Hebre University of Jerusalem, Israel), Christopher Rollston (George Washington University, USA) and Brice Jones (University of Louisiana at Monroe, USA)Yavneh/Jamnia Edmon L. Gallagher (Heritage Christian University, USA)