Early Historical Books (Joshua–Kings)

  Sponsors: David Firth and Jillian Ross

The “Early Historical Books (Joshua–Kings)” Research Group is focused on the Old Testament historical books that are set in the pre-exilic period, including the so-called deuteronomistic history as well as the book of Ruth. Emphasis is placed on historical-cultural and literary-theological approaches to interpretation. We are beginning a new three-year program on 'Family in the Early Historical Books’, examining this central institution across a range of literary and historical contexts. The program will focus on the book of Ruth in the first year, Joshua–Judges in the second, and Samuel–Kings in the third. For 2026, we have an open call for papers on ‘Family in the Book of Ruth’. E-mail proposals with title and abstract to David Firth ([email protected]) and Jillian Ross ([email protected]) by March 4, 2026.

Friday, November 20

1:00–3:00 PM

Presiding: Jillian L. Ross (Liberty University) (5 minutes)

Isaiah C. Padgett (McMaster Divinity College): "Together We Thrive, Together We Suffer: The Connections between Economic Interest and Familial Relationships within the Book of Ruth" (20 minutes)

Brittany N. Melton (Regent College): "Building an Unconventional House: Family in the Book of Ruth" (20 minutes)

Allen Hamlin Jr (Trinity College Bristol): "Dressing, Uncovering, and Covering: The Role of Clothing in Furthering Family in the Book of Ruth" (20 minutes)

Kenneth C. Way (Talbot School of Theology, Biola University): “'Who Are You?' (Ruth 3:9): Ruth’s Identity in God's Family" (20 minutes)

Steven M. Ortiz (Lanier Center for Archaeology, Lipscomb University): "The Lineage between David and Moab: Textual and Archaeological Traditions" (20 minutes)

Discussion (15 minutes)