The Bible and Culture

by larryhurtadoIn the continuing scholarly discussion about the origins and nature of earliest "Jesus-devotion" (my term for the reverence given to the risen/exalted Jesus in early Christian beliefs, proclamation, and worship), a question repeatedly emerges, especially from the general public: Did Jesus demand that he be so reverenced?In fact, not long after my book, Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity appeared (Eerdmans, 2003), I was invited by the editor of … [Read more...]

Here is another review of Aslan's recent Jesus book, which appeared in the London review of books, saying basically what Hurtado said-- namely that the book focuses too much on the Zealot issue, rehashing old arguments, and leaves out some major clues to Jesus' identity and ministry--- namely the parables. See what you think....The snake slunk off Diarmaid MacCullochZealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan Westbourne, 296 pp, £17.99, August, ISBN 978 1 … [Read more...]

Probably there are few in the world who have not heard about Wiki-Leaks and its steady stream of information supplied directly to the public about all kinds of legerdemain, lies, plots, ploys, violence, violations and you name it by nations great and small, rulers legitimate and illegitimate, bankers honest and corrupt. There is an irony of course to calling one's organization wiki-leaks, when one is leaking enormous state and trade and business secrets. More like wiki-tidal waves.The new … [Read more...]

Here's an interesting post by my fellow Patheos blogger, Philip Jenkins. See what you think. BW3THE BIBLE’S DEEP HISTORY October 18, 2013 By Philip JenkinsI have been spending a lot of time recently with the apocryphal texts of the Old Testament, the pseudepigrapha. This material can become obsessive!Through much of Christian history, the relationship between Old and New Testaments was very different from how most would imagine it today. Modern believers certainly see foretastes o … [Read more...]

It only took ten years and a zillion shekels, but finally the IAA has been told to take their marbles and go home, and oh yes, and to give back Oded Golan's marble as well. It remains to be seen what will happen to Golan's claim to the James ossuary, but this is a partial victory for his claims. Here is a portion of the article by Matthew Kalman about the surprising outcome. See what you think BW3.By Matthew Kalman Foreign Correspondent In Jerusalem BIBLE & INTERPRETATION October … [Read more...]