Sofia 2024 Call for Papers
Poverty, Hunger, Ecology, and Sustainability in the Bible
The World Food Program describes a shocking report about the world’s hunger situation in 2023: “Conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes and soaring fertilizer prices are combining to create a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. As many as 783 million people are unsure of where their next meal is coming from. We have a choice: act now to save lives and invest in solutions that secure food security, stability and peace for all, or see people around the world facing rising hunger.”
The Bible is also filled with stories of poverty, famine, and hunger due to issues linked to war, economic hardships, and environmental challenges. In the same way, biblical texts narrating hospitality, food sharing, food-related miracles stories, and even Jesus identifying himself in the gospels as food also abound. In all of these instances, women and children are either the most affected or those who endeavor to find ways to share provisions.
The research unit the Bible, Ecology and Sustainability 2024 call for papers focuses on biblical texts which deal with Poverty, Hunger, Ecology, and Sustainability that can bring these texts into a dialogue with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (more particularly, UNSDG 1 & 2). The sessions will include invited papers and open call papers. Furthermore, there will be joint sessions with the research group Johannine Literature and the Graeco-Roman Society and the New Testament.
