Majella Franzmann
BA (Hons), PhD (Qld), Dip. Teach (Mt Gravatt), AMusA, FAHA
Tel 64 3 479 8672
Email pvc.humanities@otago.ac.nz
Majella Franzmann is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) and Professor of Religious Studies. She gained her PhD at the University of Queensland in 1990 with a thesis on the Syriac, Coptic and Greek texts of the Odes of Solomon. While a doctoral student she held a DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) scholarship at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and was also Young Australian Scholar 1988 of the Charles Strong Trust, Australia. Her postdoctoral work as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Tübingen focused on the figure of Jesus in the (Coptic Gnostic) Nag Hammadi writings. While in Tübingen, she simultaneously held the Forschungspreis für jüngere Wissenschaftler ('Research prize for younger scholars'), a joint award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Australian Research Council. She has been awarded two resumption periods of her Humboldt Fellowship at the University of Bonn, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of the Sciences, and the University of Tübingen. Majella has been a Chief Investigator on four Australian Research Council Large/Discovery Projects (1996-98; 2000-02; 2002-04; 2005-07). She is currently a Partner Investigator on an Australian Research Council Discovery Project on Manichaean and Nestorian remains in China. She was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 2001 and awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in 2003. She served on the Council of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 2007. Majella was President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religions (AASR) for 1995-6, 1996-7, 2001-2, and 2002-3. She is also a member of the Australian Catholic Biblical Association (ACBA), Association pour l'étude de la littérature apocryphe chrétienne (AELEC), Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS), the International Association of Manichaean Studies (IAMS), and the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL).
Research interests
** = Preferred areas of graduate supervision
- **Gnosticism in general, esp. Nag Hammadi writings, Manichaeism, Mandaeism
- **The non-canonical Jesus in apocryphal and Gnostic writings
- **Apocryphal and Gnostic gospels, esp. Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip and Gospel of Judas
- **Manichaean and Nestorian remains in China (esp. 14th Century remains in Quanzhou, Fujian province)
- **Women in Manichaeism
- **Biblical textual criticism—Hebrew, Aramaic, Koiné Greek, Syriac, and Coptic texts
- Syriac texts, especially **the Odes of Solomon, **the Manichaean Syriac texts from Kellis, and early Syriac Christian texts.
- **Women and world religions
- Teaching Religious Studies (esp. the hermeneutical process in the classroom)
- Feminist biblical interpretation
Publications
Books/Monographs – sole author
Franzmann, M. Living Water: Mediating Element in Mandaean Myth and Ritual. The Young Australian Scholar Lecture Series. Adelaide: Australian Association for the Study of Religions, 1988 (pp. 11)
Franzmann, M. The Odes of Solomon: An Analysis of the Poetical Structure and Form. Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus 20. Freiburg (Schweiz)/Göttingen: Universitäts-verlag/Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1991 (pp. xxii; 456)
Franzmann, M. Jesus in the Nag Hammadi Writings. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1996 (pp. xxv; 293)
Franzmann, M. Women and Religion. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000 (pp. xi; 192)
Franzmann, M. Heretics and Hermeneutics: Taking the Gnostic Jesus Seriously. The 2001 Inaugural Public Lecture Series. Armidale: The Publications Office, University of New England, 2002 (pp. 18)
Franzmann, M. Jesus in the Manichaean Writings. Edinburgh: T&T Clark International, 2003 (pp. xiv; 168)
Book — edited
Allen, P., Franzmann, M. and R. Strelan, eds. "I Sowed Fruits into Hearts" (Odes Sol. 17:13): Festschrift for Professor Michael Lattke, Early Christian Studies 12, Strathfield, NSW: St Paul's Publications [Australia], 2007.
Book — translation
Heuser, M. and H.-J. Klimkeit. Studies in Manichaean Literature and Art. Transl. M. Franzmann. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies 46. Leiden: Brill, 1998.
Chapters/Sections of a Book, Festschrift Chapters
Lattke, M. Die Oden Salomos in ihrer Bedeutung für Neues Testament und Gnosis. Bd.III: Forschungsgeschichtliche Bibliographie 1799-1984 mit kritischen Anmerkungen. Mit einem Beitrag von Majella Franzmann: A Study of the Odes of Solomon with Reference to the French Scholarship 1909-1980. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 25/3. Freiburg/Göttingen: Universitätsverlag/Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1986.
Franzmann, M. 'Portrait of a Poet: Reflections on the Poet in the Odes of Solomon', Perspectives on Language and Text: Essays and Poems in Honor of Francis I. Andersen's Sixtieth Birthday July 28, 1985. Eds. E.W. Conrad and E.G. Newing. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1986, 315-26.
Franzmann, M. 'Work', Leisure in an Age of Technology. A Christian Reflection. Ed. H. Spykerboer. Melbourne: The Joint Board of Christian Education, 1988, 21-5.
Franzmann, M., and M. Lattke. 'Gnostic Jesuses and the Gnostic Jesus of John', Gnosis Forschung und Religionsgeschichte. Festschrift für Kurt Rudolph zum 65. Geburtstag. Eds. H. Preißler and H. Seiwert. Marburg: diagonal-Verlag, 1994, 143-54.
Gardner, I. and M. Franzmann 'Section B: Syriac Texts', Manichaean Literary Texts from Kellis, Vol. 1, edited by I. Gardner with contributions by S. Clackson (Coptic indices), M. Franzmann (Syriac section), and K. Worp (Greek section). Dakhleh Oasis Project monograph series 4. Oxford: Oxbow, 1996, 101-31 (Syriac edition and translation), 173-7 (Syriac index).
Franzmann, M. 'P. Kell. Addenda & Corrigenda: Syriac texts', Coptic Documentary Texts from Kellis, Volume 1: P. Kell. V (P. Kell. Copt. 10 - 52; O. Kell. Copt. 1 - 2). Eds. I. Gardner et al, Dakhleh Oasis Project monograph series 5. Oxford: Oxbow, 1999, 303-23.
Franzmann, M. 'Living Water: Mediating Element in Mandaean Myth and Ritual', (Arabic translation). Studies in Mandaeism – History and Beliefs (Deerasat Mandaeah – Tareekh w-Mugtaadat). Transl. and ed. Majid Fandi Al-Mubaraki. Sydney: Mandaean Research Centre, 2000, 37-62.
Eccles, L., Franzmann, M., and S. Lieu, 'Observations on Select Christian Inscriptions in the Syriac Script from Zayton', From Palmyra to Zayton: Epigraphy and Iconography. Silk Road Studies 10. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 2005, 247-78.
Franzmann, M. 'An "heretical" use of the New Testament: a Manichaean adaptation of Matt 6:19-20 in P. Kell. Copt. 32', The New Testament Interpreted. Essays in Honour of Bernard C. Lategan, Eds. Cilliers Breytenbach, Johan Thom, and Jeremy Punt, Novum Testamentum Supplementum 124, Leiden: Brill, 2006, 153-162.
Franzmann, M., 'Manichaean Views of Women: A Study of the Teaching and Perspectives on Women from the Kephalaia of the Teacher and the Manichaean Psalm Book', "I Sowed Fruits into Hearts" (Odes Sol. 17:13): Festschrift for Professor Michael Lattke, Eds., P. Allen, M. Franzmann, and R. Strelan, Early Christian Studies 12, Strathfield, NSW: St Paul's Publications [Australia], 2007, 67-85.
Franzmann, M. 'Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands', Religious Studies: a Global View, Ed. Gregory Alles, Abingdon: Routledge, 2007, 218-241.
Franzmann, M. 'P. Kell. Syr. 2', Kellis Literary Texts, Volume 2. Ed. Iain Gardner, Dakhleh Oasis Project: Monograph 15. Oxford: Oxbow, 2007, 136-137.
Franzmann, M. 'Judas as an Abraham figure in the Gospel of Judas', The Gospel of Judas in Context. Proceedings of the First International Conference on the Gospel of Judas, Paris, Sorbonne, October 27th-28th, 2006. Ed. Madeleine Scopello, Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies 62. Leiden: Brill, 2008, 113-121
Franzmann, M. ‘Imitatio Christi: Copying the Death of the Founder and Gaining Paradise.’ A Wandering Galilean: Essays in Honour of Sean Freyne . Edited by Zuleika Rodgers with Margaret Daly-Denton and Anne Fitzpatrick McKinley. Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism 132. Leiden: Brill, 2009, 367-383.
Refereed journal articles
Franzmann, M. 'The Odes of Solomon, Man of Rest', Orientalia Christiana Periodica 51 (1985): 408-21.
Franzmann, M. '"Wipe the harlotry from your faces": a brief note on Ode of Solomon 13,3', Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft 77 (1986): 282-3.
Franzmann, M. and M. Lattke. 'Theo-Logical Anthropology and the Criticism of Religion(s)', East Asia Journal of Theology 4 (1986): 121-6.
Franzmann, M. 'The Parable of the Vine in Odes of Solomon 38.17-19? A Response to Richard Bauckham', New Testament Studies 35 (1989): 604-8.
Franzmann, M. 'Living Water: Mediating Element in Mandaean Myth and Ritual', Numen 36 (1989): 156-72. (See 'Books/Monographs')
Franzmann, M. 'Strangers from Above: An Investigation of the Motif of Strangeness in the Odes of Solomon and Some Gnostic Texts', Le Muséon 103 (1990): 27-41.
Franzmann, M. 'The Wheel in Prov. xx 26 and Ode of Solomon xxiii 11-16', Vetus Testamentum 41 (1991): 121-3.
Franzmann, M. 'Of Food, Bodies and the Boundless Reign of God in the Synoptic Gospels', Pacifica 5 (1992): 17-31.
Franzmann, M. and M. Klinger. 'The Call Stories of John 1 and John 21', St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly 36 (1992): 7-15.
Franzmann, M. 'Preparation for the Heavenly Journey: John 13:1-10 and the Footwashing of the Mandaean Coronation Ritual', Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft 1 (1993): 79-92.
Franzmann, M. 'The Use of the Terms "King" and "Kingdom" in a Selection of Gnostic Writings in Comparison with the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice', Le Muséon 106 (1993): 5-20.
Franzmann, M. 'The City as Woman: the Case of Babylon in Isaiah 47', Australian Biblical Review 43 (1995): 1-19.
Franzmann, M. and Fisher, J. 'The Ethics of Reading and Feminist Biblical Interpretation', Australian Religion Studies Review 7/2 (1995): 22-27.
Franzmann, M. 'The Concept of Rebirth as the Christ and the Initiatory Rituals of the Bridal Chamber in the Gospel of Philip', Antichthon 30 (1996): 34–48.
Franzmann, M. 'Against the Tyranny of Tolerance: Some Thoughts on Personal and Intellectual Integrity in Hermeneutical Practice', Australian Religion Studies Review 9/2 (1996): 1-9.
Franzmann, M. 'Living Water: Mediating Element in Mandaean Myth and Ritual', (in Arabic). Al Thaq'afa Al Jadidah 278 (1997): 52-60.
Franzmann, M. 'Mad, Bad, or Just Invisible. Studies in Religion and "Fringe" Religions', Australian Religion Studies Review 10/2 (1997): 5-12.
Franzmann, M. 'Diana in Death—A New or Greater Goddess?' Australian Folklore 13 (1998): 112-123.
Franzmann, M. 'Double Reflection: The Community and Saviour in the Nag Hammmadi Writings', Phronema 14 (2000): 29-45.
Franzmann, M. 'From Queen of the Sciences to the Rebel Alliance: Religion in the University', Australian Religion Studies Review 15/2 (2002): 5-12.
Franzmann, M. and J. Clark. '"A father, a son, my only daughter": Memorialising Road Trauma', RoadWise 13/3 (2002): 4-10.
Franzmann, M. 'How To Teach Religions of the World', Journal of Religious Education 51/2 (2003): 14-18.
Franzmann, M. 'Old Masters and New Allies: The Way Forward for Studies in Religion', Australian Religion Studies Review 17/1 (2004): 8-12.
Franzmann, M. 'A Complete History of Early Christianity: Taking the "Heretics" Seriously', Journal of Religious History 29 (2005): 117-28.
Franzmann, M., Gardiner, I., and S. Lieu, 'A Living Mani Cult in the Twenty-first Century', Rivista di Storia e Litteratura Religiosa (2005): 12-16.
Clark, J. and M. Franzmann, 'Authority from Grief, Presence and Place in the Making of Roadside Memorials', Death Studies 30/6 (2006): 579-599.
Franzmann, M. and Tidswell, T. 'Education for tolerance of world religions', Journal of Religious Education 54/3 (2006): 39-42.
Franzmann, M. 'Tehat the Weaver: Women's Experience in Manichaeism in 4th Century Roman Kellis', Australian Religion Studies Review 20/1 (2007): 17-26.
Franzmannn, M. 'Syriac language and script in a Chinese setting: Nestorian inscriptions from Quanzhou, China', Hugoye 10/2 (2007). (unfortunately not readable on a Mac)
Scott, G. and Franzmann, M. 'Religious Identity and "Secular" Employment: a case study of young Muslim women graduates in the Sydney workforce', Contemporary Islam 1 (2007): 275-288.
Franzmann, M. 'The Trendall Lecture 2007. Beyond the stereotypes: female characters and imagery in Manichaean cosmology and story'. The Australian Academy of the Humanities. Proceedings 2007. Canberra: The Australia Academy of the Humanities, 2008, pp. 145-59.Download this article
Franzmann, M. 'Reading James and the Gospel of Judas in Codex Tchachos: the relationship of texts and their characters in a common codex', Rivista di Storia e Letteratura Religiosa 44/3 (2008): 543-552.
Franzmann, M. ‘“God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship for you”: A comparison of Qur’anic and Judaeo-Christian law.’ Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations 21 (2010): 1-9.
Papers in Published Conference Proceedings
Franzmann, M. 'Breaking the Big Rules in Small Ways: Contemporary Heresy without the Pain', Rita Breaks the Rules, Eds. Joanne McPherson and Jane O'Sullivan, Armidale: UNE Women's and Gender Studies and the Academic Women's Association, 1999, 23-29.
Franzmann , M. 'Jesus in the Manichaean Writings: Work in Progress', Studia Manichaica: IV. Internationaler Kongreß zum Manichäismus, Berlin, 14.-18. Juli 1997, Eds. Ronald E. Emmerick et al, Berichte und Abhandlungen, Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften Sonderband 4, Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 2000, 220-46.
Franzmann, M. 'The Syriac-Coptic Bilinguals from Ismant el-Kharab (Roman Kellis): translation process and Manichaean missionary practice', New Perspectives in Manichaean Studies, Eds. Aloïs van Tongerloo in collaboration with Luigi Cirillo, Manichaean Studies 6, Turnhout (Belgium): Brepols, 2005, 115-122.
Franzmann, M. and S.N.C. Lieu. 'A New Nestorian Tombstone from Quanzhou: Z47, Epitaph of the Lady Kejamta', Jingjiao. The Church of the East in China and Central Asia, Eds. Roman Malek and Peter Hofrichter, Sankt Augustin: Institut Monumenta Serica, 2006, 293-302.
Franzmann, M. 'Highway to Heaven: the Cosmology of the Roadside Memorial', Roadside Memorials. A Multidisciplinary Approach, Ed. Jennifer Clark, Armidale: EMU Press, 2007, 173-180.
Dictionary/encyclopaedia articles
Franzmann, M. 'Mandäismus', Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart. 4th ed. Tübingen: Mohr (Siebeck), 2002, vol. 5, columns 725-728.
Franzmann, M. 'Jesus in Manichaean Literature', Jesus in History, Culture and Thought: An Encyclopedia. Oxford: ABC-CLIO Publishers, 2003, vol. 2, 587-90.
Works under Review/in Press
Franzmann, M. 'A Stranger Twice Over: Manichaean Ideology and Mission', Cheminements de l'Etranger dans la Gnose, Ed., Madeleine Scopello, Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies, Leiden: Brill (forthcoming 2008).
Franzmann, M. 'The Epitaph of Mar Solomon, Bishop of South China.' Festschrift for Prof. Rifaat Ebied, Sydney University. (forthcoming 2008/9).
Franzmann, M. and Tidswell, T. 'Learning in the critical community: Educating university students for inter-religious engagement.' International Handbook for Inter-religious Education, Vol. 1, Eds. Gloria Durka, Liam Gearon, Marian de Souza and Kath Engebretson, Springer (forthcoming 2009).
Franzmann, M. 'An investigation of the concepts of seclusion and exhibition in relation to women and female figures in Manichaean texts', Heresis.