SOCIETY OF ASIAN BIBLICAL STUDIES

WELCOME to THE SOCIETY OF ASIAN BIBLICAL STUDIES

The Society of Asian Biblical Studies (SABS) owes its origin in many ways to the Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS). Since the very first CATS gathering in Seoul, Korea in 1997, scholars interested in Asian biblical hermeneutics have been discussing and envisioning the formation of a professional academic society to promote biblical interpretation and research in Asia and/or through Asian lenses.

A planning committee was formed during the International Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Singapore in the summer of 2005. The task of the planning committee was to organize an inaugural conference for SABS at the end of CATS in Hong Kong in August of 2006.

Almost a decade since the initial conversations in Seoul, and thanks to the persistence and ingenuity of many persons, SABS finally became a reality. Its inaugural conference was held at the Chinese University in Hong Kong on August 22-26, 2006. In attendance were thirty-five biblical scholars, including not only those who work and live in various parts of Asia, but also Asian scholars who are in diaspora in different corners of the world. In addition to the presentation of eleven academic papers, an inaugural address, Future Imperfect: Asia, The Bible and Biblical Interpretation, was delivered by Professor R. S. Sugirtharajah of the University of Birmingham (UK).

In July 14-16, 2008, SABS, “returned” to Seoul, Korea for its first biennial conference which was attended by participants from fifteen different countries in Asia and from New Zealand, Australia and the Unites States of America. In addition to the seventy seven scholarly papers that were presented, plenary presentations on the theme, Mapping and Engaging the Bible in Asian Cultures were also received. A publication entitled, Mapping and Engaging the Bible in Asian Cultures: Congress of the Society of Asian Biblical studies 2008 Seoul Conference” edited by Yeong Mee Lee and Yoon JongYoowas published by the “Christian Literature Society of Korea” and released in November 2009.

Let me take this opportunity to invite you to the next meeting of SABS which is being held at the Chung Chi College of Divinity, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong from 14-16 June 2010.In addition to receiving papers related to Bible in Asia, the society will also reflect on the theme Ecology, Economy and Asian Biblical Interpretation. We look forward to receiving you in Hong Kong.

Archie C. C. Lee
President
Society of Asian Biblical Studies