Joan Taylor
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joantaylor.bsky.social
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.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Joan Taylor
katieturnerphd.com
I’ve been asking this question since the attack. The silence as one of our major national institutions was crippled has been extremely frustrating and shortsighted.
hetanshah.bsky.social Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 9d
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
November 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
So pleased. Thank you @arturoviaggia.bsky.social !
arturoviaggia.bsky.social Arthur Urbano @arturoviaggia.bsky.social · 16d
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.).
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
religionprof.bsky.social
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
An academic in Exegesis of Biblical and Extra-Biblical Texts
jobs.uclouvain.be
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
catacombsociety.bsky.social
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.
November 7, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
goodacre.bsky.social
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
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
nasscal.bsky.social
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...
October 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
Very important article by @mmonier.bsky.social on Codex Alexandrinus, with mention too of scribe Thecla.
September 28, 2025 at 12:51 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
September 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
What a great idea for a book. Wow.
bgrafius.bsky.social 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.
June 30, 2025 at 8:20 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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.
June 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
June 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
So glad this is happening for the immensely talented @mmonier.bsky.social
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
June 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
June 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
April 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
April 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
A Joan and Helen double act again, this time reflecting on #JohntheBaptist
John the Baptist
The Ancients · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:05 AM
joantaylor.bsky.social
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
April 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
artofmarza.bsky.social
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.
April 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
Love this curious painting. Great commentary too.
thevcs.bsky.social 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
Lent Stations: Journeys Station 11: Revelation by Dream WILLIAM HOLMAN HUNT The Triumph of the Innocents, 1883–84, Oil on canvas, 156.2 x 254 cm, Tate; Acquisition Presented by Sir John Middlemore Bt 1918, N03334, © Tate, London / Art Resource, NY
April 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
Thank you so much 🙏 @emilbrunner1.bsky.social
March 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
libbiesp.bsky.social
Hooray! You can read my new Journal of Early Christian Studies article arguing that we might have a new possible fragment of the Gospel of Mary ;) muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...
March 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
tandtclark.bsky.social
➡️ Available now: 'Reimaging the Magdalene' by
@siobhanjolley.bsky.social

This book offers a new, intersectional feminist approach to utilising and interpreting the visual reception of Mary Magdalene.

Find out more ➡️ www.bloomsbury.com/9780567714268
March 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Joan Taylor
religionprof.bsky.social
A reminder to all academics researching John the Baptist that there is now a Society of Biblical Literature program unit focused on him. Please submit your paper proposals!
SBL Meetings and Events
Program Units Academic Teaching and Biblical Studies John Hilton Description: Pedagogy and the classroom each provides a hermeneutical and heuristic frame of reference for the reading and…
www.sbl-site.org
March 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
joantaylor.bsky.social
This is a nice reflection.
churchsource.com/blogs/minist...
Four Ways Joan Taylor’s Boy Jesus Can Help Your Community Grow in Tend
Even though Jesus is alive and well in his church, we don’t get to live alongside him like his first disciples did. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more than enough to become Jesus’ d...
churchsource.com
March 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM