The Bible and Culture

Words of course only have meanings in particular contexts. It is not true that 'in the beginning was the dictionary, and the dictionary yea verily set meanings in stone'. No dictionaries and lexicons are studies of the uses of words in a variety of contexts to determine their semantic range. And of course sometimes words can be completely reversed in meaning, for example the term awful today means something that is bad, but awe-full meant full of awe and wonder originally.What of course … [Read more...]

Henry Clay was in so very many ways, a remarkable man. A gentleman farmer, born in Virginia, but coming to adulthood in Kentucky he found slavery abhorrent, and fought for the gradual abolition of the practice. He was often out of step for his day and age on many subjects. He served not just as a senator from the state of Kentucky, he was also Secretary of State, and three times he worked his political magic to prevent the splitting of the fragile union of the United States. Three times he … [Read more...]

In the eighth installment of Susan Hill's much praised detective series, she takes on a subject that, as the British would say, will possibly put you off your tea. The subject is not merely paedophilia, but paedophilia filmed for the viewing pleasure of the sick and wicked, including snuff films. In other words, this is not a novel for the weak of stomach, never mind the faint of heart. Doubtless, it is difficult to continue to come up with original, or at least interesting, subject matter … [Read more...]