Peter Kirby

It's a concept. Get bright minds, young and old, together to discuss new frontiers in ancient Christianity.

It will take place for 3 days in January of 2006 in Las Vegas. (Alternatively, it might take place in June of 2006 for 3 days. And Las Vegas is just my suggestion--a university setting might be better.)

It will be open to the public for a fee, at least a month in advance, that is either at-cost or about $50. Accomodations, airfare, and dining would be the major expense, shouldered by the individual attending.

Papers would be submitted at least three months in advance. Then these papers would be read/discussed at the meeting.

Possible topics include ideas usually taboo such as,

* Lack of support for a historical Jesus
* Support for a non-historicist reading of Christian texts
* Authenticity of Paul's letters, and other texts
* Extent of reworking and interpolation into texts
* The role of drugs in early Christianity
* New readings of the Gospels (Michael Turton's, MacDonald's, etc.)

The main goal will be to allow people who have non-mainstream views to share their ideas and come up with effective means of evaluating and then furthering the best in those views.

This means that both the lecture format and the debate format would be appropriate. We could have one or more debates, for example, over the more controversial topics.

People who I will personally contact to invite are Earl Doherty, Robert Price, Richard Carrier, and others.

Anyone interested? Any suggestions? Any reason it can't/shouldn't be done?

best,
Peter Kirby

Vivisector

Some suggestions in the Carotta thread that I posted minutes after this one opened.

If you want to get really wild and crazy, invite someone like Ehrman, Crossan or even Fredriksen to keynote a session. Of course, that would most likely require that their expenses be paid (and perhaps an honorarium), which might necessitate a sponsor or two for the seminar. But hey, if you get one of those three (especially Fredriksen) to attend, I'm there!

V.

Julian

Would someone like Fredriksen attend? I am assuming that you are refering to Paula. Judging by the meager comments she sent Doherty's way she seems to be fairly dismissive of 'radical' positions. Not saying it is a bad idea, it just seems unlikely considering she would be a controversial presence given the roster Peter is contemplating. It would lead to better discussions with some decent opposition, to be sure.

As to the OP, I would certainly be interested in attending and maybe even do a paper. I have developed a strong interest in 1 Thes. 2:13-16 lately.

I think June would be better than January, personally. January is very little leadtime. And isn't Vegas a dangerous place to do something like this? Of course, it does provide a good reason for the SO to buy into the trip.

I am contemplating attending the SBL in Phila. since I can drive there in a couple of hours. Vegas is even more fun.

Julian

Peter Kirby

I am leaning towards early June, 2006.

Does anyone here want to present a paper at such a seminar?

I would like to present at least two: a paper on the Testimonium, and one on the chemical component of the chrism used in the early church.

best,
Peter Kirby

Toto

The advantage of Vegas is that they make all their money from gambling, so the hotel rates are pretty reasonable.

Depending on how you want to do this, you might consider that the Atheist Alliance International has a convention on Easter weekend (because you can get some great deals on hotel space, and there is usually no competition from any other event.) The Alliance is now publishing the JHC. That might give you enough of a tie-in to schedule your convention along with theirs, either formally or informally.