Erica Ferg - Geography and Religion in the Eastern Mediterranean
Jul 26, 2023
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Professor Erica Ferg discusses the impact of geography on religious history in the Eastern Mediterranean, exploring topics such as the Baal Cycle from Ugarit, biblical story of Elijah, and the interconnectedness of religious traditions in the region. The podcast highlights the agricultural focus in biblical research, geographical influence on religious stories, evolution of worship from Baal to Yahweh, and modern implications of religious history in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Geography shapes religious narratives in the Eastern Mediterranean, influencing figures like Baal and Elijah.
St. George represents a blend of Elijah's miracles and Baal's agricultural symbolism in the region.
Al-Qadr, 'the green,' links to St. George and Elijah, showcasing shared religious practices among diverse communities.
Deep dives
The Importance of Geography and Religion in the Eastern Mediterranean
Geography has played a crucial role throughout history, influencing religious narratives and motifs in the Eastern Mediterranean. Texts and historical sites demonstrate how geography has shaped religious practices, intertwining important figures like Baal, Elijah, St. George, and Al-Qadr. The region's agricultural communities have long shared these religious figures, depicting a cultural inheritance tied to the land.
St. George: A Blend of Baal and Elijah
St. George, a widely venerated figure in the Eastern Mediterranean, mirrors elements of both Baal and Elijah in different contexts. In the hagiographies, St. George is depicted as a reflection of Elijah, with miraculous feats akin to the biblical prophet. However, on the ground, St. George is perceived more as a continuation of Baal, embodying agricultural symbolism and serving as a unifying figure shared by diverse religious communities.
Al-Qadr and Continued Cultural Exchange
Al-Qadr, known as 'the green,' shares ties with Elijah and St. George, contributing to the religious tapestry of the region. This figure from Islamic tradition has connections to St. George, illustrating the ongoing cultural exchange and shared religious practices among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Despite modern boundaries, these historical figures continue to resonate, reflecting a legacy of communal worship and cultural blending.
Implications of Modern Changes on Religious Practices
Modern shifts in the region, particularly since the mid-20th century, have altered the dynamics of shared religious practices and cultural heritage. As exclusivist spaces emerge due to political changes, the traditions of communal worship of figures like St. George, Elijah, and Al-Qadr have evolved. The history of blended religious practices highlights the normalcy of shared cultural heritage, emphasizing unity despite religious differences.
Retracing the Evolution of Religious Figures
Exploring the evolution of religious figures like Baal, Elijah, St. George, and Al-Qadr provides insights into the historical development of religious narratives in the Eastern Mediterranean. By tracing the intertwining motifs and shifting cultural perceptions of these figures, a deeper understanding of regional religious history emerges. This journey through religious evolution offers a nuanced perspective on the influences of geography, community dynamics, and shared cultural heritage.
Episode: In this episode, Amy speaks with Prof. Erica Ferg (Regis University) about the impact of geography on the religious history of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Baal Cycle from Ugarit and the biblical story of Elijah. Erica’s research focuses on the agricultural communities of the Levant and the lived experiences that shaped how people viewed the religious traditions of the biblical world in the pre-modern era, which is the subject of her book Geography, Religion, Gods, and Saints in the Eastern Mediterranean(Routledge, 2020).
Guest: (From the Regis Univ. website) Dr. Erica Ferg is Associate Professor of Liberal Arts and Religious Studies at Regis University. Her research focuses on Mediterranean comparative religion, comparative linguistics, and archaeoastronomy. Prior to academia, Erica was a Persian linguist in the United States Air Force. Erica's first book, Geography, Religion, Gods, and Saints in the Eastern Mediterranean, was published in paperback in January 2022 by Routledge. Erica currently is at work on her second book, entitled Starry Nights: A Celestial History of Religion in the Mediterranean.
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