Joan E. Taylor | Lightnews

Joan Taylor

@joantaylor.bsky.social

430 followers 120 following 36 posts

Historian; works in archaeology, film, art, material culture; writes on 2T Judaism, early Christianity & beyond; novelist; poem-maker; illustrator; wife; mum; immigrant; Anglo-Danish Kiwi. Relaxes by walking, chatting, gardening, pottering, seeing films. .. more

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Joan E. Taylor is a New Zealand writer and historian of Jesus, the Bible, early Christianity, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Second Temple Judaism, with special expertise in archaeology, and women's and gender studies. Taylor is Professor Emerita of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College, London and Honorary Professor at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia. She identifies as a Quaker. .. more

History 52%

Philosophy 18%

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Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · 1d

Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent climate action and says God’s creation is 'crying out'

apnews.com/article/pope...

Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent climate action and says God’s creation is 'crying out'

Pope Leo XIV is urging countries at United Nations climate talks to take “concrete actions” to stop climate change that is threatening the planet.

apnews.com

Reposted by Diane Coyle, Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell , and 32 more Diane Coyle, Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell, Dorothy Bishop, Stephen P. Jenkins, Ruth Mace, Steve Peers, Melissa Terras, Dave O’Brien, Tom Shakespeare, Stuart Elden, Martin Paul Eve, Joan E. Taylor, Charles West, Lyn Robinson, Lesley A. Hall, Roger Luckhurst, Rebecca Sear, Lucy Munro, Kris Inwood, Elaine Treharne, Felicity Callard, Caroline T. Schroeder, Margot C. Finn, Lyndsey Stonebridge, Tim Hitchcock, Michael H. Whitworth, Jonathan Tummons, Larry W. Hunter, Toni Haastrup, Kathleen Kennedy, Carmen M. Mangion, Adrian Streete, Jennifer Thomson, Lorna Hughes

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 11d

I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...

The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?

The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity

www.cityam.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · 16d

So pleased. Thank you @arturoviaggia.bsky.social !

Arthur Urbano @arturoviaggia.bsky.social · 18d

Today students in my Intro to Bible course are doing a "What does Jesus look like?" assignment. They have a reading assignment from @joantaylor.bsky.social's wonderful book on Jesus. Then they have to find two artistic representations of Jesus, at least one non-western, and write up a short analysis

11/11 Assignment: What Does Jesus Look Like? (instructions)
***THIS ASSIGNMENT CANNOT BE SKIPPED***DUE NOV. 11 BY 5:00PM***

What did Jesus look like? The answer may seem obvious to some -- just look at a painting or statue. But look closer. Don't they all look different? Furthermore the gospels don't describe Jesus' physical appearance. For this assignment you will read a bit about the traditions of depicting Jesus' appearance, as well as how the New Testament gospels present the multi-faceted person of Jesus Christ -- the various "narrative christologies" discussed in class.

For this assignment:

1.) Start by completing the two reading assignments listed in the syllabus: the chapter by Joan Taylor and the essay in the Anselm Bible.

2.) Next find two representations of Jesus. These can be ancient, medieval or modern; paintings, statues, or some other medium. At least one of your images must be from a non-western culture (i.e. not American [Native American is fine] or European). You may not use images that we have already use in class, nor images you plan to use in your essay.

3.) Upload each of your images to the Discussion page and include the following with each image:

some background on the image (artist [if known], date, location, purpose) [2-3 sentences];
an analytical comparison of the different theological and/or historical qualities each image emphasizes [3-5 sentences] -- here it is important that you make connections to the specific theological themes from the course and reading. You should refer to the Taylor and Anselm Bible essay (including page numbers) as relevant and the narrative christologies as guides.
source of your image (website with URL, bibliographic information of book, etc.).

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

Arthur Urbano @arturoviaggia.bsky.social · 18d

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · 19d

An academic job in Exegesis of Biblical and Extra-Biblical Texts at University of Louvain

An academic in Exegesis of Biblical and Extra-Biblical Texts

jobs.uclouvain.be

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor, Andrew Jacobs, Annette Yoshiko Reed

International Catacomb Society @catacombsociety.bsky.social · 21d

We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Shohet Scholars Grant for research on the Ancient Mediterranean! Awards range from $2,000-$30,000.

Deadline is Feburary 1, 2026.

More information: www.catacombsociety.org/shohet-schol...

2026-2027 SHOHET SCHOLARS GRANT FOR RESEARCH ON THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN
The Shohet Scholars Grant of the International Catacomb Society is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Shohet Scholars cohort. Awards up to $30,000.
Submission deadline is February 1, 2026.

This annual grant program funds research on the Ancient Mediterranean. Projects need not focus on the catacombs. Shohet Scholars may do their research in archaeology, art history, classical studies, history, comparative religions, or related subjects.
We welcome interdisciplinary projects that approach traditional topics from new perspectives.
For further information and to apply go to the ICS website: www.catacombsociety.org/shohet-scholars/.
Email questions to ShohetICS@gmail.com

Image of fresco of a bird and a shepherd with a sheep over his shoulders. Paintings from the Catacombs of Domatilla in Rome.

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · 29d

My book Boy Jesus is now out in Italy, so do tell your Italian friends! Published by Sonda. Gesu Bambino.

sonda.it/prodotto/la-...

La vera storia di Gesù Bambino - Edizioni Sonda

Crescere in Giudea in tempi turbolenti

sonda.it

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

Mark Goodacre @goodacre.bsky.social · 29d

On Sunday, I debated with Bart Ehrman, "Did John Know the Other Gospels?" It ended up being a bit more spicy than the "fireside chat" we had anticipated. The first half of the debate is now on Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=REXn...

Did John Copy the Other Gospels? | Bart Ehrman vs. Mark Goodacre, Face to Face on the Bible

YouTube video by Bart D. Ehrman

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor, Caroline T. Schroeder, Andrew Jacobs

NASSCAL @nasscal.bsky.social · Oct 17

Announcing the launch of the open-access Journal of Christian Apocryphal Literature (JCAL). Sign up if you are interested in being a contributor or reviewer! journals.aperio.press/jcal/submiss...

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Sep 28

Very important article by @mmonier.bsky.social on Codex Alexandrinus, with mention too of scribe Thecla.

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · Sep 28

New Article on the History of Codex Alexandrinus brentnongbri.com/2025/09/25/n...

New Article on the History of Codex Alexandrinus

The latest issue of Novum Testamentum contains an important (open access!) article on Codex Alexandrinus: Mina Monier, “The History of Codex Alexandrinus: New Evidence from Arabic Paratexts,&…

brentnongbri.com

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · Sep 28

New Article on the History of Codex Alexandrinus brentnongbri.com/2025/09/25/n...

New Article on the History of Codex Alexandrinus

The latest issue of Novum Testamentum contains an important (open access!) article on Codex Alexandrinus: Mina Monier, “The History of Codex Alexandrinus: New Evidence from Arabic Paratexts,&…

brentnongbri.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Sep 22

Undoubtedly will stir up much controversy, and that can only be good for our field, but my my!

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Sep 17

A nice review.
www.americamagazine.org/books/2025/0...

Review: What was Jesus' childhood like?

Joan Taylor’s 'Boy Jesus' is a model of careful scholarship that relies on old sources but breaks new ground. It is, in some places, riveting.

www.americamagazine.org

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 30

What a great idea for a book. Wow.

Brandon Grafius @bgrafius.bsky.social · Nov 16

We have a cover!!! The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Monsters is in production. We tried to put together articles that would foster a dialogue between traditional scholarship and more contemporary monster/horror. Now it's waiting, and preparing for the fun that will be proofing and indexing.

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 22

Thanks Katie!

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 22

No it really wasn't a tomb for a Herodian princess. Evidence? None. What a lot of twaddle for the sake of the Israel tourism industry.

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · Jun 22

Was the Cave of Salome for Jesus’s Disciple or a Herodian Princess? www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancien...

Was the Cave of Salome for Jesus’s Disciple or a Herodian Princess?

Constructed in the late Second Temple period, the Cave of Salome is a massive burial estate among the sprawling hills of the Shephelah.

www.biblicalarchaeology.org

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · Jun 22

Was the Cave of Salome for Jesus’s Disciple or a Herodian Princess? www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancien...

Was the Cave of Salome for Jesus’s Disciple or a Herodian Princess?

Constructed in the late Second Temple period, the Cave of Salome is a massive burial estate among the sprawling hills of the Shephelah.

www.biblicalarchaeology.org

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 9

Very good to talk with the great team at The Two Cities podcast about Boy Jesus. Btw he wasn't born into an easy time. Demonstrations, massive clampdowns, imperialism and violence ... threats to his own family.
www.thetwocities.com

www.thetwocities.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 8

So glad this is happening for the immensely talented @mmonier.bsky.social

Mina Monier @mmonier.bsky.social · Jun 5

So, here's the webpage of our project on Gospel harmonies. I will be working with a wonderful advisory board, including my wonderful Doktormutter @joantaylor.bsky.social, and @mcrawford.bsky.social .
mf.no/en/ungos

Unconventional Gospels | MF

A Computer–Assisted Analysis of Complex Harmonic Traditions in Newly Discovered Manuscripts

mf.no

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

Mina Monier @mmonier.bsky.social · Jun 5

Unconventional Gospels | MF

A Computer–Assisted Analysis of Complex Harmonic Traditions in Newly Discovered Manuscripts

mf.no

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Jun 4

Very interesting new study dating the Dead Sea Scrolls.
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Many of Dead Sea scrolls may be older than thought, experts say

Researchers enlisted help of AI along with radiocarbon dating to produce new insights into ancient texts

www.theguardian.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · May 5

Interesting discussion.

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Apr 28

Talking here with Megan Lewis about Boy Jesus on the Bart Ehrman podcast.
youtu.be/XUskxQZZyZI?...

Boy Jesus: Growing Up Judean in Turbulent Times Featuring Joan Taylor

YouTube video by Bart D. Ehrman

youtu.be

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Apr 25

Enjoyed chatting about Boy Jesus with Jessica Jenkins for her We who thirst podcast.
www.buzzsprout.com/2384822/epis...

020 Interview with Joan Taylor: Boy Jesus in Trauma's Shadow - We Who Thirst by Jessica LM Jenkins

What happened when a child from the line of David grew up watching cities burn under Roman occupation? Joan Taylor, Professor Emerita of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College L...

www.buzzsprout.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Apr 22

A Joan and Helen double act again, this time reflecting on #JohntheBaptist

John the Baptist

The Ancients · Episode

open.spotify.com

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Apr 21

Boy Jesus features in the New York Post.
nypost.com/2025/04/19/l...

Why historians believe Jesus’ family connections were as important as faith

But what if Jesus’ family connections were as influential as ecclesiastic fervor in setting the course for a new religion?

nypost.com

Reposted by Joan E. Taylor

Art of Marza @artofmarza.bsky.social · Apr 17

Ever wonder why we dye eggs red for Pascha? The red symbolizes Christ’s blood shed for us. There are a few traditions about the pascha eggs involving Mary Magdalene. The one I grew up with was that Mary Magdalene put a basket of eggs at the foot of the cross and Christ’s blood flowed onto the eggs.

Joan Taylor @joantaylor.bsky.social · Apr 7

Love this curious painting. Great commentary too.

The Visual Commentary on Scripture @thevcs.bsky.social · Apr 7

There is a dreamlike quality to Holman Hunt’s depiction of the flight to Egypt, particularly in the presence of the holy innocents joining the travellers on their #journey.

Our eleventh commentary for #Lent is called 'Revelation by Dream'.

thevcs.org/campaign/rev...

#CofEPeeps #narthex