Q. One of the benefits I have found with getting students on board with SIT is that it helps them understand that late Western cultures are not like ancient cultures in that radical individualism even to the point of narcissism characterizes late Western culture as opposed to the emphasis on group identity being primary in antiquity. I remember my own surprise when I first started studying the Greek NT and came to the verse ‘work out your salvation with fear... Read more
Q. I’ve supervised two students now who applied Social Identity Theory to two very different portions of the New Testament very successfully. What do you see as the major benefit of applying this methodology to the letters of Paul? A. People thrive best in groups- we need others whether we admit it or not .The power of Christianity resides not in its stress upon individuality in our relation to God, but in Christ who enables vastly differing nations and individuals... Read more
Q. Your way of reading Romans is quite different especially from traditional Protestant readings. What was it that prompted you to take a ‘Paul Within Judaism ‘approach when it comes to Romans, or to put it another way, what led you to change your mind on the way you read Romans earlier in your career? A. Firstly, I think I would not term ‘Paul Within Judaism’ an approach in the same way as .e.g. a Social Identity Approach. It... Read more
FINALLY The presence of her absence Was noted by them all They waited to hear her familiar walk Or her southern drawl… The silence wasn’t deafening In fact, it spoke a lot, It meant they were remembering What they had forgot In deference they waited And hoped to hear a sound But not even a whisper Came from the burial mound Death can seem quite final With someone whom you love Your heart keeps on yearning... Read more
I am on record as saying I think the Shroud of Turin is likely authentic. This podcast is about whether the NT alludes to the Shroud in some telling way, and also whether there is good historical evidence in the NT that the shroud was already being used for evangelism in that era. I grant that John 20 certainly mentions the burial clothes of Jesus, both the head wrap and the body cloth. But from my view that’s all the... Read more
There are, without a doubt, dozens and dozens of great folk rock and country albums worth listening to and having in one’s collection, but the following, in my judgment, are essential. I could have listed more, but these will do for now. It’s my top 40 plus 1, and they are not listed in any particular order. CLASSIC FOLK AND COUNTRY ROCK ALBUMS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE CROSBY, STILLS, AND NASH CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG—DÉJÀ VU LOGGINS AND MESSINA—SITTIN... Read more
BEN: In general I think your approach to elders and deacons works, though it’s putting a lot on the little word ’tis’ to assume it means both men and women. Does your evidence suggest it always implies a gender inclusive audience? On another front I’m a little surprised you didn’t at least mention things like univera from the Latin grave inscriptions. If anything there was more stress on women remaining monogamous, and indeed only being married once. Remember the... Read more
Ben: I liked the mention of Priscilla likely being present in Ephesus when Paul writes the Pastorals. This helps with the context. I was surprised you didn’t deal with the fact that Paul is clearly dealing with women of some monetary means, surely socially high status women, and you did not deal with Gary Hogue’s evidence that these women likely had prominent roles previously in the cult of Artemis. In other words Paul is correcting a particular problem, not laying... Read more
By now, you will likely know the drill. A truly weird team of humans, aliens and animals and a talking tree team up to ‘guard the galaxy’ which at times needs guarding from them!. This third and apparently final episode is 2 hours and 30 minutes long, which by the way is too long, with long dragged out blow em up scenes, and frankly doesn’t have the same verve and humor for the most part as the first two. And... Read more
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