The Bible and Culture

I am very pleased to present the following interview, as a harbinger of the publication of N.T. Wright's new book,  The Kingdom New Testament, (Harper One) a fine, fresh translation of the New Testament into contemporary English.  I took the picture of Tom in his study at Bishop Auckland Palace writing away several years ago.---------1) What prompted you to do a fresh translation of the NT?It came about because of the 'Everyone' commentaries (published by SPCK and WJKP and now complete w … [Read more...]

… [Read more...]

Here is the first review of 'Is There a Doctor?'"I wish someone had given me this book when I was starting my theological studies----but of course, it hadn't been written yet. All the students I mentor will not only have this book, but read it. But this book is not just for students--it's also useful for pastors or any serious Christian. The lessons within it apply not only to scholarship, but also to life.  It's classic Witherington--- full of good sense, entertaining, critical, and deeply … [Read more...]

Heyuguys.co.uk was able to sit down with John Rhys Davis (played Gimli in Lord of the Rings) and discuss his upcoming movie.  Of course, one big thing on the interviewers mind is whether or not he will have a role in the upcoming Hobbit movies… His response may surprise you.  Here is what he said: HeyUGuys:  We saw you on set in the latest Peter Jackson Production diary. What was it like going back and is there any chance you might cameo in it?“I would love to! I’ve had a great sort of … [Read more...]

In a recent listing of the top 100 NT commentaries, six volumes from my socio-rhetorical series were listed.  Also my Paul's Narrative Thought World was listed as one of the top twenty theological volumes.www.ptmin.org/academic … [Read more...]

Nomina Sacra in Early Graffiti (and a Mosaic) larryhurtado | August 18, 2011 at 9:15 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pYZXr-aY (Larry Hurtado):  In connection with my moving office I've run across a few journal articles accidentally misplaced, and have now taken the time to catch up in reading them.  One of these is a stimulating study of nomina sacra (special abbreviated forms of certain key words in early Christian discourse) in graffiti, inscriptions and a mosaic, all … [Read more...]

Behold the Scrolling Drones of Duke Divinity School.......Vocal (Mick Jagger):  Joel Marcus, Professor of NTLead guitar (Keith Richards): Richard Hays, Dean and Professor of NTRhythm guitar (Ron Wood?): Norman Wirzba, Research Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Rural Life…not sure what was the inspiration for the hat….Drums (Charlie Watts):  Lori Baron, doctoral student in NT. … [Read more...]

(James Howell is the senior minister at my home church Myers Park UMC in Charlotte N.C.  The following is taken from his summer series on Genesis).----------In Genesis 17:2, God urges Abraham to "walk before me, and be perfect." Much as we might dream of perfection before God, not many of us think we have the slightest chance to get anywhere near perfection - at anything, much less in the eyes of God.But what is this perfection? and why does God ask such an obviously flawed … [Read more...]

650 lines of cuneiform text, recording Esarhaddon's vassal treaty! This really is important for biblical studies, Deuteronomy especially, but any other discussions of Israel's covenant as well. Tell Tayinat is in southeastern Turkey.http://www.news.utoronto.ca/humanities/u-of-t-researchers-shed-light-on-ancient-assyrian-tablets.htmlKudos to Bill Arnold for this one. … [Read more...]