About Us

About Us

About the Society of Biblical Literature

Founded in 1880, the Society of Biblical Literature is the oldest and largest learned society devoted to the critical investigation of the Bible based on the Humanities’ core disciplines. With over 8,000 members worldwide, it represents and convenes scholars whose life work is in biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. The SBL promotes the academic study of the Bible and of sacred texts generally.

Why Bible Odyssey Website?

The Bible is a revered text for many and holds an iconic status in American and even global culture. And yet, studies show that people are unfamiliar with its key themes or stories—and who can blame them? The Bible is not one book, but many: a compilation of poetry, law codes, novellas, proverbs, gospels, and letters that were pulled together over the centuries. Being literate about the Bible is a tall order—but an important one. Given the Bible’s immense impact, our civic conversations and cultural awareness can only improve when we are able to recognize key people, places, and passages of the Bible. View the Bible Odyssey Promo.

In addition, many readers are also unfamiliar with critical approaches to the text. There is a big difference between Bible study, which happens in a religious setting, and study of the Bible, which happens in an academic one.  Bible Odyssey addresses not only the literacy gap but also the gap between the academy and the “street.” Why should Bible scholars have all the fun? Wouldn’t you like to know about the Synoptic Question, or about J, E, P, and D?

Bible Odyssey Editorial Board

General Editors: 
Shawna Dolansky, Carleton University
Lynn Huber, Elon University

James Barker, Western Kentucky University
Eric D. Barreto, Princeton Theological Seminary 
Daniel Fisher, National Humanities Alliance
Martien Halvorson-Taylor, University of Virginia
Meghan Henning, University of Dayton
Jennifer Kaalund, Iona College
Kelly Murphy, Central Michigan University
Malka Z. Simkovich, Catholic Theological Union
Rodney A. Werline, Barton College
Tyler R. Yoder, Culver Academies

SBL Staff Contacts 

Jonathan Potter, Managing Editor
Nicole Tilford, Managing Editor
 

Site History

Planning Grant and Implementation Grant Phases (2008-11)

Editorial Board
Steve Mason, University of Aberdeen
Brent Strawn, Emory University
Carol Meyers, Duke University
John Dart, Christian Century Magazine
Jonathan Reed, University of LaVerne
Nicola Denzey Lewis, Brown University
Kristin Swenson, University of Virginia
Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, Hebrew Union College
Mark Goodacre, Duke University

Project Director
Kent Richards

Student Interns
Michael Chan, Emory University
Brennan Breed, Emory University
Samantha Spitzner, SBL staff

Design and Build Phase (2011 – 2014)

Editorial Board
(see above)

Project Director
John Kutsko

Managing Editor
Moira Bucciarelli

Technology
Missy Colee

Project Manager
Sharon Johnson

Sitecore CMS Administrator
Candace Overton

Student Interns
Richard “Bo” Adams, Emory University
Esther Brownsmith, Brandeis University
Jamie Bryson, Brandeis University
Michael Chan, Emory University
Stephen Germany, Emory University
Jonathan Potter, Emory University
Brandon Wason, Emory University

Consultants
Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University
Marketta Liljeström, University of Helsinki
Dan Clanton, Doane College
Lynne Spichiger, Independent Higher Education Consultant
Adele Reinhartz, University of Toronto
Matthew Collins, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Brandon Wason, Emory University, Ph.D. candidate

Initial Design and Demo Site
Kathryn Prusinski, S2N Media

Grantwriters
Moira Bucciarelli, SBL staff
Sharon Johnson, SBL staff

 

 

Site Developers
Debra Kosky
Lauren Hightower

Site Designer
Johnny Helms, Firefly Studios 

Accountants
Susan Madara
Pam Polhemus

Copyeditors
Sarah Shectman
Katrina Van Heest

Videographers
Natasha Barber, London
Bob Elfstrom, San Francisco
George King, Atlanta
Michael Ivan Schwartz, Baltimore
Ines Sommer, Chicago
 
Audio Technicians
Zak Piper, Chicago
Shaun Wilson, Baltimore

Project Partners
American Bible Society
Harper Collins Publishers
National Council of Churches
National Endowment for the Humanities  

 NEH Logo
Bible Odyssey has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.