This week I’m headed to San Diego for the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS)—the largest gathering of evangelical scholars in the world. In addition to the normal meals, coffees, and meeting with old friends, here’s a little preview of what I will be up to.
1. RTS Faculty Dinner. Every year, all of the Reformed Theological Seminary faculty attending ETS gather for a faculty dinner. Normally I have to miss the faculty dinner because I have been attending the ETS banquet for the last seven years as a member of the executive committee. But this year I will finally be able to join my colleagues again for the RTS dinner.
2. NT Canon/Textual Criticism Group. Although I’ve now rolled off my role as co-chair of the NT Canon Group (after 15+ years!), I still attend the sessions when I can. The open NT Canon Group is Wednesday, 8:30-11:40 AM (Marriott Grand Ballroom 2), and the Invited NT Canon Group is Friday, 2:00-5:10 PM (Marriott Grand Ballroom 4). Both sessions look to have a great line up of papers.
3. Giving Paper on “The Christology of the Gospel of Peter.” In the Friday Invited NT Canon session, I will give a paper at 4:30PM which explores the Christological dimensions of the so-called Gospel of Peter, and how docetic it really is (if at all). Looks like I drew the short straw, because I am literally in the very last paper slot for the entire conference! We will see who the real devoted ones are if they show up to that slot…
4. Meeting with Publishers. My most recent book, Miniature Codices in Early Christianity, will be coming out with Oxford University Press next year. In the meantime, I have a couple additional book projects I am excited about, and will be talking to some publishers about those projects.
5. Institute for Biblical Research Reception. Every year, after the Friday night lecture, IBR has a reception at 8:30 PM (Sapphire JKLNOP – Hilton Bayfront) for all members of IBR (which I am), and other guests. It’s a great chance to connect with colleagues and friends.
6. Checking out the book tables. We all know why scholars really attend ETS/SBL—it’s for the books! This is the key time every year to see what’s coming out in the academic world, and usually these books can be purchased at a massive discount (the problem is just getting them home on the plane).
7. Eating amazing Mexican food! Last, and certainly not least, I will be gathering with some colleagues and friends to enjoy some of San Diego’s best Mexican food all along the beautiful bay front.
If you plan to attend ETS , I hope to see you there!