Speaker: Dr. Kevin McGeough.
As the artifact sought after by Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Ark of the Covenant has long been an object of mystery, with its evocative physical description, and dangerous powers. It is said to have carried the tablets of the Ten Commandments and was one of the locations where God manifest His presence amongst the Israelites. Yet interpreters have offered a diverse variety of interpretations of what the Ark actually was, ranging from an imitation of an ancient Egyptian religious object to an advanced radioactive energy source capable of mass destruction. Ethiopian Christians believe the Ark resides in a church in Africa, while some have looked for it in the ancient Irish city of Tara or in the mountains of Japan. Early religious authorities looked for coded messages in the biblical instructions on how to build the Ark, and modern faith communities build their own replica Arks for use in faith healing services and in Old Testament themed wax museums. Join Kevin McGeough as we help him launch his new book, Readers of the Lost Ark, in which he explores the different ways people have interpreted and made sense of the Ark from ancient times to the present. Kevin will discuss how the Ark has been understood in different communities, from ancient Jewish and Christian commentators, through Medieval theologians, to modern ancient aliens theorists, misguided explorers, and Indiana Jones fan communities.
No Zoom: Unfortunately, due to the format of this talk we will only be offering it in-person, please reach out if you need help coordinating a ride to the university!