Abstract
Deadline for submissions: Dec 31, 2018
Climate change is currently regarded as the greatest existential threat to humanity. But this is only the most pressing of a host of ecological crisis points we have reached with respect to habitat destruction, resource exploitation, and species extinction. All of these are both the product of and lead to economic issues. Since Lyn White Jr.’s “The Historical Roots of the Ecological Crisis” (1967) the blame has most often been laid, fairly or not, at the feet of Western Christianity. This has given rise to a large amount of ecological critique of the Bible and its interpretation, from a number of perspectives. Notable examples of this include SBL’s Earth Bible project (https://www.sbl-site.org/publications/article.aspx?ArticleId=291) and the “Exeter Project” (http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/theology/research/projects/beyondstewardship/exeter/).
The Bible Translator is planning a thematic issue on the topic “Ecology, Economy, and Bible Translation” to be published in 2019. This is being done in partnership with the SBL “Ecological Hermeneutics” section, which included the following in its call for papers for 2018 (https://www.sbl-site.org/meetings/Congresses_CallForPapers.aspx?MeetingId=33): In 2018 . . . the second joint session will be on Ecology, Economy, and Bible Translation in conjunction with The Bible Translator journal, which is planning a special edition in 2019 on this topic. Proposals are invited that explore this topic, for instance: how do translation choices foster anthropocentrism, promote an awareness of the non-human other in the text, or give the non-human voice? How is the natural world portrayed in translation of specific passages and how might this impact the ways readers treat it? In what ways might translation choices alert readers to the ecological implications of the text? How might new translations (in either majority or minority languages) respond ethically to the critical moment at which we stand, while remaining faithful to their sources? What can (English) translations learn from the idioms of other languages?
Whether or not you were able to submit a paper to this SBL session, or will even attend it, we invite papers on this topic for the planned issue of The Bible Translator from anyone interested in the interface of biblical text and ecological concern. Where established translations exist, the task is interpretation and application of the text. But many new Bible translations, especially minority-language translations, are being created in places where the ecological crisis is most keenly focused. We welcome contributions, practical and theoretical, on how the translation of texts is impacted by and in turn impacts the ecology and economy of these regions. This may also relate to the publication of special editions and study Bibles, the media of publication, and the processes involved in the production and distribution of Bibles. Specific passages of interest from all sections of the canon may also be treated in light of the questions quoted above or related issues. Reviews of previous publications and ecological statements by religious leaders are also welcome.
Interested authors may submit their papers via the Journal’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/home/tbt. Click on the “Submit Paper” tab. If you have any questions, please contact the Editor, Stephen Pattemore, at