The largest temple in Greece was built in the second century by Hadrian in Athens. Paul did not see this one, which even dwarfs the Parthenon. Set down near the ancient forum, Hadrian’s temple is entered by a ceremonial gate…. (which for some reason enjoys coming up sideways in the Patheos program… but you get the point). To give you a sense of the scale of this temple, consider this picture…. Or this picture…. People look like ants compared to… Read more

Grave Steles tell us a lot about the mourning customs of ancient cultures including Greco-Roman ones that Paul was familiar with. You may remember Paul said that Christians are not to mourn like pagans, like those who have no viable hope. Here are some illustrations of grave steles from the Athens museum. Here a friend is bidding another friend farewell as he enters the afterlife, but notice the child reaching up for his father, not wanting him to go. Sad…. Read more

There are in fact lots of bronze objects recovered from the sea and from archaeological sites all over Greece, many of which are common objects from the home, such as a matron’s mirrors— mirrors were made of highly polished bronze, and Paul refers to this as well— not a perfect surface to see your reflection but it could be quite good….. Handles of various sorts were also made out of bronze….. Also decorative pieces and household deity statues…. And people… Read more

Jackson Browne was one of the first great singer/songwriters of the folk/country rock movement that began in the early 70s with a variety of artists from or living in California. His lyrics were always thoughtful, and his tunes often sad but probing, and he was very influential. He wrote the Eagles first hit, ‘Take It Easy’ and was with them briefly, before going solo. His own first album had a big hit in ‘Doctor my Eyes’ and was produced by… Read more

Over the rest of the summer, I shall be sharing some pictures and posts on a trip Ann and I led to Jordan, Israel, and Greece, certainly one of the best trips ever for us. It was unbelievably hot in Jordan (Petra 114F), and in Israel (Qumran 120F), but pleasant in Greece. We traveled like the Biblical story moving from East to West, looking into the promised land from Mt. Nebo, and then entering across the Jordan, then exploring Jordan,… Read more

Tom addressed the CBE fourteen years before I did in 2004 on the subject of women and their roles. Thanks to Mimi Hadad for my reposting this. BW3 Read more

This lecture was given last summer at the CBE Conference in Orlando. The occasion was that they were giving me a lifetime achievement award for supporting women in ministry. Thanks again to Mimi and other friends for such an honor. BW3 Read more

Here’s a stimulating essay by Mark Rodgers of the Clapham Group which they sent to me, and I’m reposting here…. By Mark Rodgers “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not… Read more

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Fourteen years is a long time between films that have a genuine sequel, with the same main original characters. Indeed, it is so long, this film actually has an opening apology to viewers by the stars who voice several of the main characters— Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Samuel L. Jackson. This is a Pixar film, and we have come to expect some pretty great things from Pixar, but this film is exceptional in a variety of ways. For… Read more