Speaker: Alicia Batten, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies, Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo
The study of fish consumption in antiquity is complex, as there is ongoing debate as to a) the degree to which ancients actually ate fish; and b) what sort of “fishy” ideologies (Beer, 2010) existed. The latter, in turn, could involve the avoidance of fish altogether, eating certain kinds, sizes or portions of fish, or raising the creatures on private fish farms. Although fishers were low on the social scale, eating fish, especially large fish, was considered a luxury. This presentation offers a survey of these issues; then addresses specific texts in some gospels from the Jesus movement that refer to fish and fish consumption in light of such questions.
Refreshments will be served.