Abstract

John J. Pilch served as an associate editor of Biblical Theology Bulletin from 1976 to his passing in July, 2016. He became Book Review Editor in 1982, a post he held for over twenty years. He was a leading light in the application of social science methods to biblical interpretation, being one of the founders of the social world of the Bible Context Group. His many books covered the range of specialized studies as well as church lectionary commentaries on interpreting the biblical texts within their socio-historical context aided by anthropological studies and methods.
A man of enormous talent and exuberance, he served as a Franciscan friar in the Assumption Province with Polish heritage from 1955 until 1975, being ordained a priest in 1963. After his marriage to Jean Peters he continued cordial relations with his brother Franciscans and engaged in writing homiletical aids as well as lecturing widely in the application of medical anthropology to the study of the Bible.
He contributed numerous articles for publication in BTB, while authoring books and lecturing first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then from his new home base in Catonsville, Maryland. Notable aspects of his scholarship are chronicled in articles honoring him in the current issue of BTB.
We begin with an article by
This memorial issue of BTB is intended to serve as an appreciative tribute to a friend and prolific scholar gifted with an inner light that inspired all who knew him and learned from his lectures and writings.
