One of the more enjoyable things to do at the SBL (besides going to great restaurants like Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, or Santorinis Greek restaurant or the Green Zebra) is going to specialist lectures and learning something. For example, I attended the lecture of MacQuarrie doctoral student Julien Ogereau on the Epidosis Decree in Troizen and its Similarities to Acts 2 and 4. This decree (found in IG IV 757), talks about a one off contribution to the poor and needy,... Read more

The annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, this year in Chicago, transpired under surprisingly sunny skies and mild and clement weather. Certainly a good time was had by many. As for me I gave a lecture at the Bible Fest sponsored by the Biblical Archaeology Society on 1 Corinthians 11 and women’s hair and headcoverings entitled ‘A Veiled Threat’, and also the keynote address at the IBR (Institute of Biblical Research), which got a spirited rebuttal from Professor... Read more

On the whole, British novelists seem to be more capable writers when it comes to murder mysteries or thrillers than, say Americans. One such writer who now has a considerable track record is Susan Hill. There are now six novels in the Simon Serrailler series (a Chief Inspector of Detectives) and while her skill with prose is not as good as say P.D. James or Edith Pargeter (the real name of the author of the Cadfael novels) or Paul Doherty,... Read more

If animals could talk they would say….. ‘Hop to it, hop to it. They always want us to jump for this, that or the other’. ‘Why must you always see things as just black or white?’ ‘Who is that dear?’ ‘Have you ever seen anything as silly as that man with a camera stuck to his nose?’ ‘I think we are ready for the Olympic high jump now.’ “Owl be there, to love and comfort you…’ ‘Did you hear the... Read more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M1gSsm5xlKQ It is indeed a rare thing to see a President offer a homily on national TV broadcast to the whole nation. Here is the 18 minute eulogy and homily he offered in Newtown this night Dec. 16th 2012. Read more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCbIIbQNthE&feature=related Read more

We are all familiar with the story of nasty old King Herod and the slaughtering of the innocents. Herod was indeed a paranoid Idumean who just happened to be king in Judaea. There would always be questions about his legitimacy as a ruler in that land. And in order to maintain his throne he was prepared to kill some of his wives and offspring as well. ‘Paranoia strikes deep/ into your life it will creep/ it starts when you’re always... Read more

The following is a picture taken by my buddy Mark Fairchild during our travels in eastern Turkey. Maybe it was one of Santa’s helpers???? I mean it must have taken elves to stack that stuff one on top of the other. Notice that the back tires are entirely flat!!! Read more

By now, if you have not been living in a hole in the ground, you will know that the Hobbit is the prequel to the Lord of the Rings. You may also know that it has been vivisected into three segments… the first of which Peter Jackson has entitled ‘An Unexpected Journey’. Here’s where I tell you the journey takes some two hours and 46 minutes. This is not a children’s film, I repeat not a children’s film, and not... Read more

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35757 Read more