Religions & Theology Research Seminar

Religion and science. Professor Michael Burdett (University of Nottingham) “Death and Glory in a Technological World”. 16:00 - 17:30 28 October 2021. The Religions & Theology research seminar takes place on alternate Thursdays. This is an online-only session. Please register to receive the Zoom link by emailing andrew.boakye@manchester.ac.uk. Seminars last 90 minutes including a 30 minute Q&A session.

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

New Testament Studies. Prof. John Barclay (Durham University) Discussion of themes from the 2021 Didsbury Lectures, 'Beyond Charity: Rethinking Gift and Community with Paul’ 14:00 - 16:00 28 October 2021. The Centre for Biblical Studies weekly seminar series. All sessions will take place in a hybrid format - attendance is possible in person or online via Zoom. To register to attend online, please email siobhan.jolley@manchester.ac.uk.

Events programme for Religions & Theology

Seminars and public lectures for 2021-22. Many of the department's planned events are available to see as a single online listing. Further information.

Event Programme, Luther King House

Christian theology. Luther King House is one of our partner institutions and is located in nearby Fallowfield. It represents Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed and Unitarian traditions. Their programme of activities will be updated shortly.

Event programme, Nazarene Theological College

Christian theology. The Nazarene Theological College is one of our partner institutions and is located in nearby Didsbury. Associated with the Church of the Nazarene, which emerged in the nineteenth-century, NTC belongs to the World Methodist Council. See their programme of activities, including the Didsbury Lectures on 'Beyond Charity: Rethinking Gift and Community with Paul', 25 Oct 2021. 

Religious societies

Why not find out more about the Islamic Society?  A student run welfare organization. It is responsible for providing services for students (both Muslims and Non-Muslims) and aids to improve the image of Islamic cohesion on campus. The Islamic Society is dedicated in helping Muslims and Non Muslims on campus to develop academically, spiritually and socially. The Islamic Society provides the social psychology and wherewithal for students to benefit themselves, the community, both nationally and globally in every sphere in life. Furthermore, the Islamic Society is there to help promote a true understanding of Islam and Muslims on campus and in the wider community. This is achieved by creating an environment that would facilitate dialogue, mutual understanding and respect. The Islamic Society endeavours to facilitate for the spiritual needs of all Muslim Students on Campus. Further information.

Public Lecture, Oxford University

Christian history. Peter Nockles gave a keynote lecture entitled 'Newman and Pattison: The Sage and his Renegade Disciple?' at the conference 'John Henry Newman: Saint, Scholar, Sage'. Virtual event hosted at Oriel College, Oxford University, 20-22 September 2021. Further information.

Podcasts, European Forum for Religion and Environment

Religion and ecology. Papers recorded at a conference on the topic of 'Religion, Materialism and Ecology' are now available online. This was the sixth international conference of the European Forum for the Study of Religion and the Environment, which took place in association with the Lincoln Theological Institute and which was hosted by the University of Manchester, UK. 14-15 May 2021. Watch again.

New publication

Jewish Studies. Philip Alexander, “‘If they are not Prophets, they are Sons of Prophets’. Folk Religion (Minhag) as a Source of Law in Rabbinic Judaism,” in: The Use and Dissemination of Religious Knowledge in Antiquity, ed. Catherine Hezser and Diana Edelman (Sheffield: Equinox, 2021), 122-144. Further information.

New publication

Jewish Studies. Philip Alexander, “Eschatology in the apocalyptic revival in Judaism (sixth to ninth centuries CE) in its historical context,” in: Eschatology in Antiquity: Forms and Functions, ed. Hilary Marlow, Karla Pollmann, and Helen van Noorden (Routledge: London and New York, 2021), 576-588. Further information.

Reading Group, Book of Esther (Biblical Hebrew)

Biblical and Jewish Studies. Philip Alexander will be leading a reading group focusing on the Book of Esther and Jewish commentaries. The class will meet via Zoom once a week. The primary aim of this non-credit course will be to provide students at BA, MA or PhD levels who have done some Hebrew with the opportunity to advance their knowledge. This semester the focus will be on the so-called Second Targum to Esther, and Prof. Alexander will give an introduction to the Targum in the first session. Knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic will be a help, but is not necessary. English translations of the relevant texts will be supplied. 11am, Mondays, starting 27 Sept. For further information, email philip.alexander@manchester.ac.uk

Welcome Week event, A Buried Synagogue on Campus

Joint R&T and Archaeology on-campus tour.  'Walk & Talk: A Buried Synagogue on Campus’ with John Piprani (Archaeology) and Tereza Ward (R&T). Meet at South Entrance of Samuel Alexander Building. Bring a coat. 12-1pm, Fri 24 Sept 2021. Further information.

Ehrhardt Seminar in Biblical Studies

New Testament Studies. Dr Sarah Parkhouse (University of Manchester) ‘Selling the Mysteries in Roman Egypt: Christian Entrepreneurship and the Pistis Sophia’ 14:00 - 16:00 21 October 2021. The Centre for Biblical Studies weekly seminar series. All sessions will take place in a hybrid format - attendance is possible in person or online via Zoom. To register to attend online, please email siobhan.jolley@manchester.ac.uk. 

Religious societies

Why not find out more about the Buddhist Society? Its aim is to provide an opportunity for those who wish to learn about Buddhism, however much or however little they already know. The Society is not confined to any particular school, and is interested in theoretical and practical aspects of Buddhism. Whatever the interest everyone is very welcome! Further information.

Film showing, welcome week

All R&T students. Liberal Arts and Religions & Theology are putting on a special screening of a recorded performance of Golem by 1927 Productions. The play mixes animation and acting to tell a fable of our desires and our creations and the dangerous places that they can take us to. The event is hybrid, which means that you can join us in 1.219 University Place to watch the performance with snacks, or you can join us remotely through Microsoft Teams (all will receive an invitation shortly). Whether you're in the room or elsewhere, you'll be able to chat during the screening using the Teams interface. There'll also be an introduction to the screening and time for discussion afterwards. Popcorn provided! 5pm, Thu 24 Sept. The R&T Community Blackboard page provides further information.

Keynote Paper, Berlin

Philosophy and religion. Michael Hoelzl was invited to give a keynote paper at a conference in Berlin based on the work of Michel de Certeau and organised by the University of Köln and the Marie-Dominique Chenu Institute. His presentation was entitled 'The political significance of pastoral power today’ and the conference had the theme ‘In Defence of Difference’. 10-12 September 2021, Militärbischofsamt Berlin.

David A. Pailin, 1936-2021

Philosophy of Religion. George Brooke remembers his former colleague: "David Pailin’s career at the University of Manchester spanned the period 1966-2001. He held a personal chair in Philosophy of Religion and also, at one point, served as the Head of the Department of Philosophy. His long-standing links with Hartley Victoria Methodist College continued after he joined the Faculty of Theology..." Further information.

Student Union Buddy's scheme

Student well-being. The Students’ Union run a Buddy Scheme for students who are isolating, based off-campus, or simply want someone to chat to. This scheme is similar to the Check-In and Chat scheme which is part of the University's Student Well-being Support resources, but its distinguishing feature is that it is peer-led rather than offered by University staff. Students will be matched with another student (a ‘peer buddy’) based on hobbies, interests or course for weekly phone or video catchups, providing some social contact and the chance to make a new friend. Students can sign up to the scheme using this online form. For students who are interested in volunteering as a peer buddy, they can apply through the Volunteer Hub. More information can be found about the scheme on the SU website.

New publication

Japanese religious studies. Erica Baffelli (Japanese Studies), 'Minority Religions in Japan: Marginalised or Empowered?' (Futurum, 2021).  Educational resources for schools. Further information.

Public event, Maharat

Jewish Studies. Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz speaks on 'Our Journey towards God: A Walk through the Piyutim of Erev Yom Kippur' as part of  the Yeshivat Maharat (NY) 'Power Hour of Torah - High Holiday 5782 Edition'. Starts at 9:40 minutes. Watch on YouTube.

Podcast, Jewish Renaissance

Jewish Studies. 'Peh, Peh, Peh: Spitting at the Evil Eye and other Curious 'Kosher' Customs.' Have you ever worn an amulet? Or 'touched wood'? Or tied red thread on a baby’s cot? Recent research on Jewish women has revealed a wide array of customs that are still being used to protect people and ward off the angel of death. Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz investigates Jewish and anthropological definitions of magic and asks why people... Watch on YouTube.

Public event, Bric-19

Jewish Studies. Katja Stuerzenhofecker’s ethnographic study of female-only Orthodox Jewish online prayer groups is part of the research study ‘Social Distance, Digital Congregation: British Ritual Innovation under COVID-19’. You are warmly invited to hear and discuss the results of this year-long research project into the ways in which the pandemic has shaped the ritual lives of religious communities of all kinds across the UK. Wed 29 September, 1-5pm BST, Manchester Metropolitan University city centre campus; also streamed online. The event is free and open to the public, but please register in advance. To sign up, see further infomration.

Arnold A. Anderson, 1924-2021

Biblical Studies. Adrian Curtis remembers his former colleague: "The Department was sad to learn that Arnold Anderson, formerly Senior Lecturer in Old Testament Studies, died on 13 August 2021 at the remarkable age of 97 – remarkable because he had had health issues for many years. It was my privilege to know him as my teacher, doctoral supervisor, colleague and friend, and I am grateful to have been invited to write a little about him. He was born in Latvia, but came to Britain after what had been difficult years politically for his native country..." Further information.

Guardian League Table, 2022

Best Departments of Religious Studies and Theology. Congratulations to the Department, we are now ranked 5th overall in the UK, 1st for satisfaction with teaching, 2nd for satisfaction with course. Further information.

Blog entry, Council of Christians and Jews

Jewish Studies. Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz writes on the subject of 'Rosh Hashanah: In the Presence of the King.' 3 Sept 2021. Further information.

Research impact

Religion and science. Here we highlight a research project in our Dept that has had impact in wider society - Genealogies of Knowledge: Corpus-assisted research for analysing evolution of scientific and political concepts. Further information.