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Discover the groundbreaking research of Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polczer as she unveils her compelling theory that Martha of Bethany may have been a later addition to the Gospel of John. Drawing on her work published in the Harvard Theological Review, Dr. Schrader Polczer examines dozens of ancient manuscripts, including Papyrus 66—the world’s oldest copy of the Raising of Lazarus—to reveal textual instabilities. She suggests that the Lukan character Martha may have been added to John’s Gospel to discourage the ancient position that Lazarus's sister Mary should be identified as Mary Magdalene. In particular, Martha’s presence in John ensures that John 11:27's crucial Christological confession is not on Mary's lips.
Presented by the Westar Institute, this webinar offers a deep dive into this fascinating research from Dr. Schrader Polczer. We invite you to consider joining Westar, where scholars and members explore and engage with the latest insights into the historical Jesus and early Christianity. https://www.westarinstitute.org/join-westar
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Elizabeth "Libbie" Schrader Polczer, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Villanova University. She holds a doctorate in Early Christianity from Duke University, with a focus on textual criticism, Mary Magdalene, and the Gospel of John. Elizabeth has been invited to present her peer-reviewed research at Duke University, Princeton University, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Pepperdine University, Elon University, Wheaton College, Perkins School of Theology, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Regensburg and the University of Leipzig, Germany, along with dozens of churches across the U.S. and Canada.
Elizabeth transitioned to religious scholarship after a long career as a singer/ songwriter. She was the first winner of the Pantene Pro-Voice competition in 2001, after a performance opening for Jewel at Summer Stage in New York's Central Park. Prizes included a nationwide club tour with Poe, as well as a demo deal with Atlantic Records. Her band also participated in Jewel's "Soul City Cafe" program for independent artists, opening three shows on Jewel's "This Way" tour. She has opened for other artists as diverse as India. Arie, Michelle Branch, Ray LaMontagne, and Rusted Root, and played her music on an episode of "The Gilmore Girls." After writing a song about Mary Magdalene, Elizabeth enrolled in the M.A. program at General Theological Seminary. Her interest in the text of John's Gospel culminated in the publication of her Master's thesis in the Harvard Theological Review. She has published additional peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Biblical Literature, T.C.: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism, and the Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies Bulletin.
