Crandall University is proud to announce that Dr. Alexander Chantziantoniou, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, has been awarded the 2024 Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship. Dr. Chantziantoniou received this prestigious honor for his paper titled, “The Politics of Paul’s Image Parodies: Material Epiphany, Human-Divine Reciprocity, and Social Power.” The paper is under contract to be published as a journal article in New Testament Studies, the flagship journal in the field of New Testament scholarship, and he will be presenting the paper at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Boston next year.
The Paul J. Achtemeier Award is one of the most distinguished recognitions in New Testament studies, awarded annually to scholars whose work demonstrates exceptional insight, innovation, and originality. The award aims to stimulate high-quality research and promote the future of biblical scholarship. Dr. Chantziantoniou’s research, which examines the intersections between divinity, materiality, and ethnicity in early Judaism and earliest Christianity, has proven to make a significant contribution to the field.
Innovative Scholarship on Images and Power
Dr. Chantziantoniou’s award-winning paper explores the ethnic and political dynamics of Paul’s parodies of ancient Mediterranean cult images, exploring how divine presence, reciprocal relations between humans and their gods, and social power are conveyed in Greek, Roman, and Jewish texts and inscriptions. His research reexamines how these “image parodies” operate within yet innovate upon the prevailing religious norms of the time. This nuanced approach offers fresh perspectives on Paul’s polemics against “idolatry,” the social formation of his Christ assemblies, and their complex relationship with the wider Graeco-Roman world.
In addition to his paper, Dr. Chantziantoniou’s broader research interests include the study of images of gods in the ancient Mediterranean, particularly Jewish and Christian polemics against images of foreign gods but also the materiality of divine presence among Jews and Christians. His first book, currently under review, examines Jewish critiques of “idols” and the sociopolitical implications of these debates. His current book project further explores the development of Jewish and Christian “icons” – including the iconicity of gendered human bodies, sacred texts, and the messiah himself – offering new insights into the iconic landscape of Jews and Christians in the ancient Mediterranean.
A Promising Scholar at the Forefront of New Testament Studies
Dr. Chantziantoniou completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2024. He has forthcoming articles in the Journal for the Study of Judaism, the Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and New Testament Studies, as well as several book chapters in edited volumes. He is currently co-editing a collection of essays (with Paula Fredriksen and Stephen L. Young), titled Paul within Paganism, which contextualizes the Apostle Paul within the broader religious milieu of the ancient Mediterranean.
His research has earned him recognition not only for its methodological rigor but also for its ability to bridge theological, historical, and cultural perspectives between academic disciplines, including classics, art history, linguistics, and religious studies. Dr. Chantziantoniou’s interdisciplinary approach is helping to reshape contemporary understandings of early Jewish and Christian texts and their social significance in the ancient world.
Looking Ahead
As an Assistant Professor at Crandall University, Dr. Chantziantoniou continues to inspire his students and colleagues with his passion for biblical scholarship. His award is a testament to his dedication and promise as an early career scholar in the field.
“Dr. Chantziantoniou joined our faculty this summer and we are very excited to see that he has again been recognized for his scholarship with this significant award,” shared Dr. Jon Ohlhauser, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. “We believe this is just another confirmation for our students of the quality of the Crandall instructors who teach at the University.”
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Chantziantoniou on receiving this prestigious award. We look forward to his continued contributions to New Testament scholarship.
