{"id":1386,"date":"2019-09-12T09:42:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T13:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/?post_type=profile&#038;p=1386"},"modified":"2025-08-10T16:38:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T20:38:05","slug":"james-christopher-walters","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/profile\/james-christopher-walters\/","title":{"rendered":"James Christopher Walters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Walters retired from the Boston University School of Theology in June 2020. His interests focused on Pauline studies and especially on the urban social context of Pauline communities in the Aegean basin (Greece and western Asia Minor). For almost a decade he served on the steering committee of the Archaeology of Religion in the Greco-Roman World Section of the Society of Biblical Literature because of his interest in bringing material evidence to bear on the exegesis of Paul\u2019s letters. Dr. Walters is the author of one book, <em>Ethnic Issues in Paul\u2019s Letter to the Romans,<\/em> and a number of scholarly essays.<\/p>\n<h2>Association Memberships and Awards<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>American Institute of Archaeology<\/li>\n<li>Society of Biblical Literature<\/li>\n<li>Society for Ancient Mediterraenean Religions<\/li>\n<li>Christian Scholarship Foundation Award Winner, 1989<\/li>\n<li>Distinguished Teacher Award, Harding University, 1986<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Publications<\/h2>\n<p>Steve Friesen, Daniel Schowalter and James Walters, ed., <em>Corinth in Context: Comparative Perspectives on Religion and Society<\/em>, Novum Testamentum Supplement 128 (Leiden: Brill, 2010).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul and the Politics of Meals in Roman Corinth,\u201d in <em>Corinth in Context: Comparative Perspectives on Religion and Society<\/em>, ed., Steve Friesen, Daniel Schowalter and James Walters, Novum Testamentum Supplement 128 (Leiden: Brill, 2010).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul the Apostle\u201d (3,000 words), <em>Encyclopedia<\/em> <em><span>of Ancient Greece and Rome<\/span><\/em>, ed. Michael Gragarin (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul\u2019s Letter to the Romans,\u201d in <em>The Transforming Word: A One Volume Commentary on the Bible<\/em>, ed. Mark Hamilton, Abilene, Texas: Abilene Christian University Press, 2009.<\/p>\n<p>The Fabric of Early Christianity: Reflections in Honor of Helmut Koester by Fifty Years of Harvard Students, edited by James Smith and Philip Sellew (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2007).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCivic Identity in Roman Corinth and its Impact on the Early Christians,\u201d in <em>Urban Religion in Roman Corinth: Interdisciplinary Approaches<\/em>, ed. Daniel Schowalter and Steve Friesen, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Moyer V. Hubbard, <em>New Creation in Paul\u2019s Letters and Thought<\/em> (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), in Religious Studies Review, 2004.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul, Adoption and Inheritance,\u201d in Paul <em>in the Greco-Roman World<\/em>. Edited by J. Paul Sampley. Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press, 2003, 42-76.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEthnic Issues, Eschatology and Moral Reasoning in Paul\u2019s Letter to the Romans,\u201d in <em>Preaching Romans<\/em>, Edited by Dave Bland and David Fleer, Abilene: Abilene Christian University Press, 2002, 24-52.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Coincidence of the Expansion of Christianity and the Egyptian Cults in Imperial Ephesos,\u201d in <em>100<\/em> <em><span>Jahre \u00d6sterreichische Forschungen in Ephesos.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00d6sterreichische Akademie Der Wissenschaften Philosophisch-Historische Klasse Denkschriften, 260. Edited by Barbara Brandt and Karl Krierer. Wien: \u00d6sterreichische Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 1999, 315-324.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRomans, Jews and Christians: The Impact of the Romans on Jewish\/Christian Relations in First-Century Rome,\u201d in J<em>udaism and Christianity in First-Century Rome<\/em>. Edited by Karl Donfried and Peter Richardson. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998, 175-195.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLiving in light of the Second Coming,\u201d in <em>Theology<\/em> <em><span>Matters<\/span><\/em>. Edited by Gary Holloway, Randall Harris and Mark Black. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1998, 336-346.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Craig S. Wansink, <em>Chained in Christ: The Experience and Rhetoric of Paul\u2019s Imprisonments<\/em> (Sheffield: Sheffield University Press, 1996), in <em><span>Religious Studies Review<\/span><\/em> 24 (1998), 91.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Bruce Winter, <em>Seek the Welfare of the City: Christians as Benefactors and Citizens<\/em> (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994), in <em><span>Journal of Biblical Literature<\/span><\/em> 115 (1996), 536-538.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Mark Nanos, <em>The Mystery of Romans: The Jewish Context of Paul\u2019s Letter<\/em>(Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996), in <em><span>Bible Review<\/span><\/em> 12 (1996), 16-17.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Jan Botha, <em>Subject to Whose Authority?: Multiple Readings of Romans 13<\/em>(Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1994), in<em><span>Religious Studies Review<\/span><\/em> 21 (1995), 330.<\/p>\n<p>Review, Peter Stuhlmacher, <em>Paul\u2019s<\/em> <em><span>Letter to the Romans: A Commentary<\/span><\/em> (Louisville: Westminster\/John Knox, 1994), in<em><span>Horizons in Biblical Theology<\/span><\/em> 17 (1995): 208-209.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEgyptian Religions in Ephesos,\u201d in <em>Ephesos: Metropolis of Asia<\/em>. Harvard Theological Studies, 41. Edited by Helmut Koester. Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press, 1995, 281-310.<\/p>\n<p>UPANDROS \u2013Subordination of Women in Rom 7:2,\u201d in <em>Essays on Women in Earliest Christianity<\/em>. Vol. 2. Edited by Carroll Osburn. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1995, 225-238.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u201cPhoebe\u201d and \u201cJunia(s)\u201d \u2013Rom. 16:1-2, 7,\u201d in <em>Essays<\/em> <em><span>on Women in Earliest Christianity<\/span><\/em>. Vol. 1. Edited by Carroll Osburn. Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1993, 167-190.<\/p>\n<p><em>Ethnic Issues in Paul\u2019s Letter to the Romans<\/em>. Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press, 1993.<\/p>\n<h2>Academic Presentations<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cHonoring Trajan in Ephesus,\u201d International Society of Biblical Literature (Rome), July 2009.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul and the Politics of Meals in Roman Corinth,\u201d Kraft-Hiatt Lecture at Brandeis University, April 2, 2009.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Salutaris Foundation and Civic Religious Identity in Ephesus,\u201d Colloquium on Material Culture and Ancient Religion, Ephesus, Turkey, July 2008.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Civic Compromise: Egyptian Cults in Roman Ephesus,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, New England Region, April 2008.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCivic Identity in Roman Colonies: Comparing Freedmen and Veterans,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, 2007 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Nov. 17-20.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA Tale of Two Colonies: Why Philippi May Have Ill-prepared Paul for Corinth,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, 2007 International Meeting, Vienna, Austria, July 22-26.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul and the Politics of Meals in Roman Corinth,\u201d Corinth in Context Conference: Comparative Perspectives on Religion and Society, Jan. 9-13, University of Texas at Austin.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAn Exercise in Sharpening Distinctions regarding the Social Locations of Pauline Christ-Believing Communities: 2 Corinthians 8,\u201d People\u2019s History Group: Corinth, Annual National Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, Washington, D. C., November 2006.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReading 1 Cor. 11:17-34 in Light of the Lex Coloniae Genetivae CXXXII,\u201d Social History of Formative Judaism and Christian Group, Annual National Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, Washington, D. C., November 2006).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat Went Wrong in Corinth,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 2004.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul, Community and Disease Etiology in Roman Corinth,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting 2004.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvidence for Early Christianity at Corinth: Considering the Social Status of the Pauline Communities,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 2003.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA Law that Liberates: the Adoption Metaphor in Paul\u2019s Letter to the Galatians,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, New England Regional Meeting, 2003.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Roman Cultic and Administrative Presence in Corinth and its Impact on the Early Christians,\u201d Urban Religion in Roman Corinth: Interdisciplinary Approaches, Harvard Divinity School, Jan. 7-10, 2002.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRethinking the Roman Cultic and Administrative Presence in Corinth Relative to its Impact on Early Christians,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 2000.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChristianity and the Egyptian Cults in Ephesos,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 1998.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRe-reading the Epigraphic Evidence for the Acculturation of Jews in Ancient Rome: A Response to Leonard Rutgers,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 1997.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Theater Reliefs at Hierapolis,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 1996.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Traveler\u2019s Tomb Inscription at Hierapolis and 2 Corinthians 11:25,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 1995.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Coincidence of the Expansion of Christianity and Egyptian Religions in Imperial Ephesos,\u201d \u00d6sterreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, 1995.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cForeign Religions in Imperial Ephesos,\u201d Harvard Divinity School, 1994.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Evolution of Christian Communities in Rome,\u201d Society for New Testament Studies, Edinburgh, 1994.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJewish and Christian Self-Definition in Rome vis-\u00e0-vis Roman Administration of non-Roman Religions,\u201d Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting, 1992.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJewish Acculturation in Ancient Rome: Evidence from Epitaphs,\u201d International Society of Biblical Literature, 1991.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEthnic Issues in Paul\u2019s Letter to the Romans,\u201d Colloquium for the Study of Religion, Boston University, 1989.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"template":"","sth_faculty_type":[24],"sth_phd_student_type":[],"sth_staff_type":[],"sth_alumni_type":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1386"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/profile"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50971,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1386\/revisions\/50971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"sth_faculty_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sth_faculty_type?post=1386"},{"taxonomy":"sth_phd_student_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sth_phd_student_type?post=1386"},{"taxonomy":"sth_staff_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sth_staff_type?post=1386"},{"taxonomy":"sth_alumni_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sth_alumni_type?post=1386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}