Words, Worlds, and Theology: Explorations in Biblical Interpretation
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Theologies".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 February 2027 | Viewed by 63
Editor
2. Australian University College of Divinity, Norwest, NSW 2153, Australia
Interests: Ezekiel and prophetic literature; John; Pauline theology; biblical languages studies; exegesis and hermeneutics; intertextual studies; systematic-historical theology; christology; biblical archaeology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
“Words, Worlds, and Theology: Explorations in Biblical Interpretation” is an interdisciplinary scholarly platform dedicated to the study of the Bible, theology, language, and interpretation within historical, literary, theological, and contemporary contexts. The initiative seeks to foster rigorous academic dialogue on the interpretation of biblical texts and their reception, meaning, and theological significance across diverse traditions, methodologies, and cultural settings.
The title reflects three interconnected dimensions of inquiry. “Words” highlights the linguistic, textual, semantic, and philological dimensions of biblical studies, including engagement with languages used in the Bible and the history of textual transmission and interpretation. “Worlds” points to the historical, cultural, philosophical, social, and reception-historical contexts in which biblical texts emerged, were interpreted, and continue to function. “Theology” emphasises the constructive and hermeneutical task of reflecting on the theological meaning, contemporary relevance, and transformative potential of the Bible.
The aim of this platform is to encourage high-level scholarship that bridges disciplinary boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in careful engagement with biblical texts. Contributions may include studies in biblical theology, intertextuality, hermeneutics, reception history, theological anthropology, Christology, Second Temple Judaism, early Christianity, biblical languages and semantics, digital humanities, theology and artificial intelligence, human flourishing, pedagogy, and the relationship between Scripture and contemporary ethical or social questions.
Particular attention is given to approaches that integrate historical-critical inquiry with theological interpretation, interdisciplinary dialogue, and constructive reflection. The initiative welcomes contributions from established scholars and emerging researchers alike, and especially values perspectives arising from diverse ecclesial, cultural, and global contexts.
The Special Issue aims to create a collaborative scholarly space where biblical interpretation is understood not merely as an academic exercise, but as a living and intellectually responsible engagement with texts that continue to shape communities, identities, beliefs, and public discourse. It seeks to promote conversation across disciplinary, denominational, and methodological boundaries, encouraging scholarship that is academically rigorous, critically engaged, and attentive to the wider human questions raised by Scripture and theology.
Submissions may include theoretical studies, textual analyses, theological reflections, interdisciplinary essays, reception-oriented approaches, pedagogical studies, and explorations of emerging methodologies within biblical and theological interpretation.
We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, and cc the Assistant Editor of Religions, Loretta Chen, at loretta.chen@mdpi.com. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the special issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Stefano Salemi
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biblical interpretation
- theology
- hermeneutics
- intertextuality
- biblical languages
- reception history
- theological anthropology
- human flourishing
- digital humanities
- biblical theology
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