The renowned Professor R.W.L. Moberly joined a notable group of Orthodox biblical scholars on the campus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) this October with a firm question in mind: Is there, or could there be, a distinctively Orthodox mode of biblical scholarship?
The theme “Orthodox Biblical Scholarship Between Church and Academy” guided SVOTS’ Fourth Annual Academic Symposium, held October 16–18, 2025.
Orthodox interpreters are relative latecomers to the field of biblical studies. When the discipline came into its modern form in the mid- to late-eighteenth century, it received its shape largely from Protestant scholars. Among Jewish and Roman Catholic scholars, there were some pioneers and “early adopters” in the beginning stages, but it was not until the twentieth century that these two groups fully entered the discourse. As we enter the middle part of the twenty-first century, Orthodox biblical scholars, when compared with these groups, hardly seem visible at all within the wider academy, and “Orthodox biblical scholarship” is poorly known, if known at all, outside Orthodox countries.
Fr. Silviu Bunta and Fr. George Parsenios in discussion with Prof. Moberly.
During the Symposium Dr. Moberly, considered among the top biblical scholars in the world, delivered the Keynote Address, entitled, “Orthodox Biblical Scholarship: Possibilities and Prospects.” In it, he remarked that one of the ironies of the historical-critical method that gave rise to modern biblical studies, and continues to dominate the field, is that it often leads to scholarship which is not biblical at all—texts are examined for their pre-biblical content as stand-alone works, rather than as part of a whole, biblical corpus.
“The core subject matter of Scripture is not primarily ancient history, but God,” he asserted.
Over the two days which followed Prof. Moberly’s Keynote Address, Symposium organizer Dr. Michael Legaspi and an impressive lineup of other Orthodox scholars delivered presentations, including:
- The Rev. Dr. Michael Azar (University of Scranton);
- The Very Rev. Dr. Silviu N. Bunta (University of Dayton);
- Dr. Lydia Gore-Jones (St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College);
- Dr. Rebecca Luft (St. Herman Theological Seminary);
- The Rev. Dr. George Parsenios (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology;
- The Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuc, in absentia (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology);
- The Rev. Dr. Cosmin Pricop (University of Bucharest);
- Dr. James Wallace (Christian Brothers University); and
- The Rev. Dr. Daniel York (Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of the West).
Dr. Lydia Gore-Jones was among the scholars who traveled from great distance to participate in the symposium. Prof. Gore-Jones is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College in Sydney, Australia.
“It was a wonderful few days of stimulating discussion among fine scholars, and I am so grateful to all of them for traveling to be here for the Symposium,” said Dr. Legaspi. “I am also thankful for the support of our Dean, Dr. Alex Tudorie, in hosting this event.”
“My hope is that this Symposium has given each of us, and all who watched and participated, something to think about to help us all do our work of studying and proclaiming the Scriptures to the best of our ability.”
Dr. Michael Legaspi, Associate Professor of Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, was the primary organizer of this year’s Academic Symposium.
Read Academic Symposium Abstracts
Watch the Keynote Address
