PSCO

Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins

an Interdisciplinary Humanities Seminar
in its forty-fifth year under the auspices of
The University of Pennsylvania
Department of Religious Studies
201 Logan Hall, Philadelphia PA 19104

Next Event
Current Topic
Schedule
Who We Are
Contacts
History
Archives
Location

Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins:
A Brief History

R. A. Kraft, coordinator

The Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins was organized on October 8, 1963, when 16 teachers of biblical and early church studies from the Philadelphia area gathered at the University of Pennsylvania at the invitation of Robert A. Kraft (University of Pennsylvania) and John H. P. Reumann (Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia).

It was decided that the subject matter should vary from year to year, and should be technical in nature, geared for those with academic, specialized interests in the period of Christian origins. Participating membership in the Seminar is open primarily to persons with advanced training in the subject, especially those who teach at a college or seminary level, although other interested persons may be invited at the discretion of the members. Regularly scheduled meetings are held bi-monthly throughout the academic year, with occasional additional special meetings when circumstances dictate. Since its inception, the Seminar has had support from the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Pennsylvania, and more recently, from the Humanities Coordinating Committee at the University. It now holds most meetings in Williams Hall at the University.

The Seminar also maintains a mailing list of non-participating members. The minutes of the meetings are reproduced and mailed to all members at the end of the academic year. Persons on the mailing list who do not attend meetings are asked to contribute $2.00 annually towards mailing costs. Otherwise there are no dues. Complete copies of the minutes and other materials are deposited with the libraries of the University of Pennsylvania and the Lutheran Theological Seminary (Philadelphia). Back copies of minutes are still available in most instances, at the cost of $2.00 (vols 1-17) or $3.00 (vols 18- ) per volume to cover packaging and mailing expenses. [As of 9/90, minutes for vols 20-21 and 23 onward have not yet appeared. Electronic scanning and distribution of the minutes are under consideration.]

The topics and personnel (co-chairpersons, secretaries) have been as follows:

April 10, 2008
jct