An introduction to Israel’s search for wisdom in its Ancient Near Eastern context. Topics include the nature and expression of wisdom, its international context, Lady Wisdom, the place of wisdom literature in Israel’s faith and the content of the individual wisdom books: Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Sirach and the Wisdom of Solomon, plus consideration of the relevance of Israel’s wisdom tradition for today.
SMB2278HF
Israel’s Wisdom Traditions
- Instructor: Dr. John L. McLaughlin
- Day: Tuesday
- Time: 14:00-16:00
- Location: TBA
Dr. John L. McLaughlin
Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
- PhD (Scripture) (University of St. Michael's College)
- MDiv (Theology) (University of St. Michael's College)
- MA (Philosophy) (University of Toronto)
- BA (Philosphy honours; English major) (St. Thomas University, Fredericton, N.B.)
- 416.926.7267
- johnl.mclaughlin@utoronto.ca
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Room 311 Alumni Hall, 121 St. Joseph St., Toronto, ON
Teaching and Research Interests
- Pre-exilic Prophets
- Wisdom Literature
- Ancient Israelite Religion
- Israelite Origins
- Ugarit
- Hebrew Poetry
- Apocalyptic
Dr. John L. McLaughlin is Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at the Faculty of Theology. He recently completed a two-year term as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Theology, July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022. He previously held the Interim Dean position in the 2014–15 academic year.
He is an Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at U of T, and is a past President of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures, and recently completed eight years as an Associate Editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and two years on the International Advisory Board of Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies.
Professor McLaughlin earned a BA in Philosophy and English from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Toronto. He studied Theology and Scripture at St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, earning an MDiv and a PhD. Professor McLaughlin joined the St. Michael’s faculty in 2002 after teaching for seven years at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Professor McLaughlin is a native of Saint John, NB. He misses the Atlantic Ocean, fog, and dulse.
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SMB2278HF
Israel’s Wisdom Traditions
Fall 2022- Instructor: Dr. John L. McLaughlin
- Day: Tuesday
- Time: 14:00-16:00
- Location: TBA
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SMB1007HF
Introduction to the Old Testament
Fall 2022- Instructor: Dr. John L. McLaughlin
- Day: Thursday
- Time: 14:00-16:00
- Location: TBA
- “Who was the God of the Exodus, El or Yahweh?” Canadian-American Theological Review 10 (2021): 72-85.
- “Is Amos (Still) Among the Wise?” Journal of Biblical Literature 133 (2014): 281–303.
- “Their Hearts Were Hardened: The Use of Isaiah 6:9–10 in the Book of Isaiah,” Biblica 75 (1994): 1–25.
- “The marzeaḥ at Ugarit: A Textual and Contextual Study,” Ugarit-Forschungen 23 (1991): 265–81.
- Justice in the Balance: Learning from the Prophets. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2020. Reprint of Justice in the Balance: Learning from the Prophets. Ottawa: Novalis Press, 2008.
- Parables of Jesus. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2020. Reprint of Parables of Jesus. Ottawa: Novalis Press, 2004.
- The Questions of Jesus. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2020. Reprint of The Questions of Jesus. Ottawa: Novalis Press/Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publications, 2001.
- An Introduction to Israel’s Wisdom Traditions. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2018.
- What Are They Saying About Ancient Israelite Religion? Mahweh, NJ: Paulist Press, 2016.
- The Ancient Near East: An Essential Guide. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2012.
- Justice in the Balance: Learning from the Prophets. Ottawa: Novalis Press, 2008.
- Version: Justice in the Balance: Learning from the Prophets. Bombay: St. Pauls Press, 2009.
- Parables of Jesus. Ottawa: Novalis Press, 2004.
- Versions: Parables of Jesus. Bombay: St. Pauls Press, 2004. Syn marnotrawny czy rozrzutny ojciec? Najpie?kniejsze przypowieści Jezusa w interpretacji znanego biblisty. Krakow: Wydawnictwo eSPe, 2006. Parábolas de Jesus. São Paulo: Editoria Ave-Maria, 2007. Parables of Jesus. Edinburgh: St. Andrews Press, 2009.
- The marzēaḥ in the Prophetic Literature: References and Allusions in Light of the Extra-Biblical Evidence. Vetus Testamentum Supplements, vol. 86; Leiden/ Boston/Köln: E. J. Brill, 2001.
- The Questions of Jesus. Ottawa: Novalis Press/Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Publications, 2001.
- Versions: The Questions of Jesus. Bombay: St. Pauls Press, 2004. A wy za kogo Mnie uważacie? Trzydzieści trudnych pytań Jezusa—refleksje znanego biblisty. Krakow: Wydawnictwo eSPe, 2007. Perguntas de Jesus. São Paulo: Editoria Ave-Maria, 2007.
- “The Exact Same Thing Only Different: ‘Hebrews’ and ‘Israelites’ in 1 Samuel.” In Forget Not God’s Benefits (Psalm 103:2): Festschrift in Honor of Leslie Hoppe, OFM, edited by Barbara E. Reid, OP. Catholic Biblical Quarterly Imprints, vol. 3, 90-110. Washington: Catholic Biblical Association of America. Estimated publication: 2022.
- “Amos.” In The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. Third Fully Revised ed., edited by John J. Collins, Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, OP, and Donald Senior, CP, with a foreword by Pope Francis, 1061–73. London: T&T Clark, 2022.
- “Introduction to Wisdom Literature.” In The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. 3rd Fully Revised ed., edited by John J. Collins, Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, OP, and Donald Senior, CP, with a foreword by Pope Francis, 711–19. London: T&T Clark, 2022.
- “Collateral Damage: Divine Punishment of Others for David’s Sins in 2 Samuel.” In God and Gods in the Deuteronomistic History, edited by Corrine Carvalho and John L. McLaughlin. Catholic Biblical Quarterly Imprints, vol. 2, 143-59. Washington: Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2021.
- “The Relation of the Minor Prophets to the Wisdom Tradition(s).” In The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets, edited by Julia M. O’Brien, 213-225. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021.
- “Wisdom Influence.” In The Oxford Handbook of Wisdom and the Bible, edited by Will Kynes, 409–22. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021.
- “Wisdom from the Wise: Pedagogical Principles from Proverbs.” In Religion and Education in Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Michel Desjardins, edited by Alex Damm. SHR, vol. 160, 29–54. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2018.
- “Religion of Ancient Israel.” In Anselm Companion to the Bible, edited by Corrine L. Carvalho, pp. 152-67. Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2014. Also printed in Anselm Companion to the Old Testament, edited by Corrine L. Carvalho, pp. 150-65. Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2014.
- “Why Does God Have Many Names in the OT and Why Do We Need Them?” In Pastoral Essays in Honor of Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P.: Reading the Old Testament, edited by Corrine L. Carvalho, pp. 57-69. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2013.
- “Preface.” In Teachings of Jesus, by Alicia Batten, 13–17. Ottawa: Novalis, 2005.
- “Introduction.” In The Miracles of Jesus, by Richard S. Ascough, 11–18. Ottawa: Novalis, 2003.
- God and Gods in the Deuteronomistic History, edited by Corrine Carvalho and John L. McLaughlin. Catholic Biblical Quarterly Imprints, vol. 2. Washington: Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2021.
- “Marzeah Papyrus.” In Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Vol. 17, Lotus–Maskerah, edited by Christine Helmer, et al., cols. 1236–37. Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter, 2019.
- “Sun.” In The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Vol. 5, S-R, edited by Katherine Doob Sakenfeld, et al., pp. 404-05. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2009.
- “Moon,” “Mount of Assembly.” In The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Vol. 4, Me-R, edited by Katherine Doob Sakenfeld, et al., pp. 138-40, 157. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2009.
- “Hamath, Hamathite,” “Hammath.” In The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 2, D-H, edited by Katherine Doob Sakenfeld, et al., pp. 725, 726. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2007.
- “Baal-Zebub,” “Beelzebul,” “Elohim,” “God in the Old Testament, Names of,” “Leviathan,” “Lord (Divine Title),” “Marzeah,” “Shema, The” “Yahweh.” In Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, edited by David Noel Freedman, et al., pp. 136-37, 160, 401-02, 514-16, 803, 820, 866, 1205, 1402 Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000.
- “Charismatic Leadership Models.” The Bible Today 56 (2018): 215-19.
- “Moses in Ben Sira.” The Bible Today 55 (2017): 335-40.
- Getting to Know the Prophets. Living With Christ Booklets. Toronto: Novalis, 2016.
- Getting to Know the Wisdom Books. Living With Christ Booklets. Toronto: Novalis, 2016.
- “Scripture calls for justice for one and all.” The Catholic Register, Toronto. March 23 (2014): 13.
- “‘It shall not return to me empty’: Dealing with Unfulfilled Prophecy in the Bible.” Cardinal Perspectives (2001-02): 67-76.
- “From Many to One: The Development of Monotheism in the First Testament.” Cardinal Perspectives (1998-99): 2-11.
- “The Exact Same Thing Only Different: ‘Hebrews’ and ‘Israelites’ in 1 Samuel.” Cardinal Perspectives (1995–96): 57–68.
- “The Emergence of Monotheism.” Invited chapter for Roots: Finding Strength in Biblical Tradition, Part 1; Resource Book (Ottawa: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1992), 82–87.
- “Understanding the Christmas Stories,” Celebrate! 28/6 (1989): 9–11.
- “What Does A Scripture Passage Really Mean?” Celebrate! 28/4 (1989): 7–9.
- 50 Book Reviews
- 54 Book Notes / Abstracts
- 51 Pastoral Aids
- “Basic Income in Light of the Biblical Call for Justice.”
- ‘Who Is This Who Darkens the Design?’ (Job 38:2): God’s Response to Job’s Curse.
- “On the Translation of rāwāh (“Be Intoxicated?’).”
- “Wise Prophets and Prophetic Wise Guys: The Relation of the Minor Prophets to the Wisdom Tradition.” Hebrew Bible Studies: Within and Beyond its Historical Context Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Vancouver, June 1-3, 2019.
- “The Minor Prophets’ Relation to Wisdom Traditions.” The Old Testament Colloquium, Collegeville, MN, February 8-10, 2019.
- “Wisdom Influence(?)” Writings: Psalms and Wisdom Literature Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Regina, May 26-28., 2018.
- “Collateral Damage: Divine Punishment of Others for David’s Sins in 2 Samuel.” Divinity in Ancient Israel Continuing Seminar, Catholic Biblical Association International Meeting, Washington, DC, August 5-8, 2017.
- “Wisdom from the Wise: Pedagogical Principles from Proverbs (and Beyond).” Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Presidential Address, Calgary, May 28, 2016.. An earlier version was presented at the Old Testament Colloquium, Collegeville, MN, February 12-14, 2016.
- “Who is the God of the Exodus, El or Yahweh?” Discourse and Reconstruction in the Hebrew Bible Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Victoria, June 2-4. 2013.
- “The Exact Same Thing Only Different: ‘Hebrews’ and ‘Israelites’ in 1 Samuel.” Invited Lecture, Catholic Biblical Association of America International Meeting, Los Angeles, July 31-August 3, 2010.
- “‘Who Is This Who Darkens the Design?’ (Job 38:2): God’s Response to Job’s Curse.” The Old Testament Colloquium, Collegeville, MN, February 6-8, 2009.
- “Is Amos (Still) Among the Wise?” Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Vancouver, June 1-3, 2008.
- “‘Who Is This Who Darkens the Design?’ (Job 38:2): God’s Response to Job’s Curse.” Curses and Curse Stories in Mediterranean Antiquity Special Session, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Saskatoon, May 27–29, 2007
- “Divine Patrons of the marzēaḥ.” Divinity in Ancient Israel Seminar, Catholic Biblical Association International Meeting, South Orange, NJ, August 4-7, 2001.
- “Does Isaiah Allude to the marzēaḥ?” Jewish and Christian Historical Issues Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Ottawa, May 27–29, 1998. (now revised and published as part of The marzēaḥ in the Prophetic Literature)
- “Jeremiah’s ‘Confessions’ as Unanswered Complaints.” Prophets and Writings Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, St. John’s, NFLD, June 1–3, 1997.
- “The Politics of עִבְרִי (‘Hebrew’) in 1 Samuel.” Bible and Politics Seminar, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Calgary, June 6–8, 1994.
- “Was the marzeaḥ at Ugarit a Funerary Banquet?” Ugaritic Studies and Northwest Semitic Epigraphy Group, Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, San Francisco, November 21–24, 1992. (now published as part of a larger article, subsequently revised for The marzēaḥ in the Prophetic Literature).
- “Because the Man is Going to His Eternal Home: The Reaction of Humans and Nature to Death in Qoh 12:2–5.” Hebrew Bible Section, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Charlottetown, June 9–11, 1992.
- “Their Hearts Were Hardened: The Use of Isaiah 6:9–10 in the Book of Isaiah.” The Prophetic Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 18–21, 1989. (now published)
- “Their Hearts Were Hardened: The Use of Isaiah 6:9–10 in the Book of Isaiah.” Founders Prize Student Essay, read at the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, Quebec City, May 28–31, 1989.
- Panel: “Methods and Approaches to the Hebrew Scriptures.” TSJ 5021: Research and Scholarship (Esther Acolatse and Jaroslav Skira), Toronto School of Theology, September 23, 2020.
- REL 539 Hebrew Exegesis: The Book of Proverbs (Jacqueline Vayntrub), Yale Divinity School, September 17, 2020.
- Response to Deena Grant, “Divine Love as an Aspirational Model.” Divinity in Ancient Israel Continuing Seminar, Catholic Biblical Association International Meeting, Denver, July 28-31, 2018
- “Basic Income in Light of the Biblical Call for Justice.” The Case for Solidarity: Multi-Faith Perspectives on Basic Income Conference, Toronto, October 20, 2017
- “Changing Perceptions of Deities in Ancient Israel.” Public Lecture at Bishops University, Lennoxville, Quebec, March 13, 2017.
- “Why Did they Accept/Reject My Submission? Peer-review Models.” Scholarly Communications Retreat, University of St. Michael’s College, October 6, 2015.
- “Biblical Background(s): The Ancient Near Eastern Context.” St. Andrew’s Church, Toronto. September 30, October 7, 14, 2015.
- Response to Mark Smith, “The Three Bodies of God in the Hebrew Bible.” The Old Testament Colloquium, Conception, MO, January 23-25, 2015.
- “Prophets of Justice: Amos & Micah.” The Cathedral Church of St. James, Toronto. February 5, 12, 2014.
- “‘You Have Been Told What the LORD Requires’ (Mic 6:8): The Biblical Demand for Justice.” Fourth Annual John Meagher Lecture. Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College, November 15, 2013
- “Telling the Story: Ecclesiastes.” The Church of the Redeemer, Toronto. November 5, 2013.
- “The Idea of a Messiah.” The Cathedral Church of St. James, Toronto. February 27, 2013.
- “The Origin of the Jewish People.” The Cathedral Church of St. James, Toronto. February 20, 2013.
- “Justice in the Biblical Prophets.” RS 232 / JS 205: Hebrew Prophets (Dr. Derek Suderman), Conrad Grebel University College / University of Waterloo, March 20, 2013.
- Response to Christopher Frechette, “The Violent Images against Enemies in the Psalms Interpreted in the Framework of Recovery from the Effects of Trauma.” The Old Testament Colloquium, Collegeville, MN, February 3-5, 2012.
- “Who is Jesus?: The Jewish Background—Messianic, Wisdom and Apocalyptic Traditions.” SMT 2242: Christology (Dr. Michael Attridge), University of St. Michael’s College. January, 2006 and 2007.
- Panel Member: “Introducing Students to the Old Testament: The Joys and Sorrows of the First Year Survey Course.” Toronto School of Theology Biblical Seminar, November 23, 2006.
- “Panel: Mentoring and Academic Supervision.” Canadian Society of Biblical Studies Annual Meeting, London, May 29-31, 2005.
- “Issues in Biblical Historiography.” SMJ 5500: Research Methods (Dr. Lee Cormie), University of St. Michael’s College. April 2, 2003; March 24, 2004.
- “Scholarly/Bibliographical Software.” SMJ 5500: Research Methods (Dr. Lee Cormie), University of St. Michael’s College. January 15, 2003; January 12, 2004.
- “Drinking with the Gods: The Relevance of the marzēaḥ for Israelite Religion.” Public Lecture at the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College. January 23, 2002
- “WWJA: What Would Jesus Ask?” Public Lecture at Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. February 26, 2002.
- “The Ethics of Teaching the Bible: The Bible as an Inspired / Authoritative Text.” The Wabash Consultation on Teaching the Bible in the General Education Curriculum, Gannon University, Erie, August 16, 2000.
- “Response to Katherine Hayes: ‘Lord of the Animals: God and ʾādām.’” Divinity in Ancient Israel Seminar, Catholic Biblical Association International Meeting, Los Angeles, August 5-8, 2000.
- “Christian Apocalyptic and Millennarianism.” Lecture for HON 400: Senior Honors Seminar (Dr. John Cox), Wheeling Jesuit University. October 7, 1998.
- “The Garden of Eden: Knowledge Gained and Innocence Lost.” Lecture for HON 200: Sophomore Honors Seminar (Dr. Kristopher Willumsen), Wheeling Jesuit University. September 16, 1998.
- “Deception in the Bible.” Lecture for HON 300: Junior Honors Seminar, Wheeling Jesuit University (Prof. John Whitehead). September 16, 1998.
- “Women and the Bible.” Lecture for ENG 310: Women and Literature (Dr. Irene Burgess), Wheeling Jesuit University. February 2, 1998.
- “Historical Highlights: The Divided Monarchy to the Hasmoneans.” Lecture for the Israel Intersession Program, University of St. Michael’s College. April 6, 1998.
- “X-Files and Religion.” Lecture for HON 400: Senior Honors Seminar (Dr. Irene Burgess), Wheeling Jesuit University. November 17, 1997.
- “Music and Religion.” Lecture for HON 300: Junior Honors Seminar (Dr. David Kilroy), Wheeling Jesuit University. September 24, 1997.
- “The Early, Non-Writing Biblical Prophets.” Lecture for THEO 3351: Prophets of Ancient Israel (Dr. Paul Hahn), University of St. Thomas, Houston. February 24, 1995.
- “The Authority and Inspiration of the Bible.” Lecture for RST 204: Images of Jesus (Dr. David Hammond), Wheeling Jesuit College. February 10, 1995.
- "I Appeared as El Shaddai: Exploring the Mountain Motif as an Element for the Equation Between Yahweh and El Shaddai"
- "Who is More Authoritative: Hapax Legomena in the Dialogues of the Book of Job."
- “The Law, the Prophet, and the Ideal King: A Narrative Analysis of the Reform of Josiah in 2 Kgs 22:1-23:30.
- "Obedience in the Face of Danger: Balaam and David before God"
- “Heliolatry in the Hebrew Bible: An Investigation into the Original Nature of Yahweh.”
- “Yahweh and his Counselors: The Structure and Membership of the Council of Yahweh”
- “The Sacrifice of Isaac: The First Born Law and the Redaction of the Pentateuch.”
- “Understanding Immortality in ‘The Speech of the Wicked’ (Wisd 1:16-2:24).”
- “In the Wrong Place: Qohelet’s Despairing Social Justice with Consideration to the King, Wealth, and Creation.”
- “The Divine Fencing In: The Relationship Between Structure and Content in the Book of Job.”
- “The Pain-Filled Necessity of Judgment: The Function of Jeremiah’s Laments in Jeremiah 11-20.”
- “Terms of Separation: Cultural Purity and Social Identity in Ezra-Nehemiah.”
- “David’s Rise: Articulating Power through Gender in the Deuteronomistic History.”
- “The Theological Problem of the Yahwist Account of Man’s Creation and Fall: An Exegetical Analysis of Gen 2:4b-3:24.”