My family and I travelled to Vienna for the International SBL which was held at the University of Vienna. We had a fantastic time as the university is in a great location for siteseeing, and the university itself is a sight! Also, the weather was wonderful. From what other participants told me, this was very well attended in comparison to last year’s. I spent most of my time focusing on Paul-related papers, but I popped in on a few others... Read more
Sorry I have been on hiatus for some time. I was travelling for a while and most recently I spent almost a week at SBL international congress in sunny Vienna. The short of it – amazing city, decent conference, really good sausages. I will be doing a lengthy post soon on the conference when I have recupped a bit. As a bit of side news that I learned – the rumors that Longenecker is leaving St. Andrews is NOT true... Read more
Someone asked me how I would ‘rank’ NT programs in my ‘first tier’ category (see essay above: ‘Interested in a NT PhD?’) This is challenging for many reasons: first, should it be internationally or by country? Also, what kind of NT program – exegetically focused? Jewish backgrounds? Greco-Roman Backgrounds? ‘New’ Methodologies (post-structuralism, Bhaktian influenced heremeneutics; post-colonialism?)? Language centered (linguistics; philology)? These are important factors. Also, the list would change if professors (or readers/lecturers) moved to another institution. That having been... Read more
A few postgrads here were chatting ab0ut the etiquette regarding correspondences with academic professionals. If, in your doctoral research, you are interested in contacting an expert on a particular issue, is it OK to shoot off an email to this person (you have not met personally) and ask a question? What has been your experience? Have you found anyone (no names needed) snobbish and rude? Have you found scholars generally helpful? If you are a professional, are you bothered by... Read more
This is not (necessarily) an opportunity to toot our university’s horn, but a chance to demonstrate that some pretty excellent scholars have come out of Durham (as either undergrads or postgrads): Did you know that Durham has produced: Simon Gathercole Bruce Longenecker Stephen Finlan (now at Drew) Helen Bond Paul Trebilco Maurice Casey Ben Witherington III Judith Lieu (for her MA) So far just a short list. Can anyone think of others who have some recognition in academia? OT people... Read more
During Freshers week (something like ‘new student’ orientation week) we had the chance to fill in a form to be hosted by a British family for a weekend to help us feel more comfortable in England and experience real family life. You had the option of the general area of the UK to be hosted in (Northern v. Southern England, Scotland, etc…) and you fill in a form detailing your favourite activities and interests to find a good family match. ... Read more
Aberdeen has announced their new staff that will replace PJ Williams and SJ Gathercole at Aberdeen. The official announcement is posted HERE. Read more
A few of us at Durham were chatting about the challenges of reading German (and French) literature and shared some websites with each other that have been helpful as resources and references. Now, please let me make this caveat: I do not advocate using online computer translators to replace learning German for your thesis work; rather, our discussion was about getting help for ‘tricky’ portions of a translation or for re-rechecking your translation for accuracy. I will list some resources... Read more
Inevitably we stumble upon Latin words and abbreviations in writings (especially of an older generation). Often I simply ignore them, but they are becoming more important when I really need to understand what the author is communicating in a footnote. So, I have compiled a list of Latinisms that you may find in monographs and especially in older reference works that rely on keeping words short (like Liddell-Scott or BDAG). If you come across others that are frequently occuring and... Read more
Currently in my research I am studying Philo’s understanding of the Jewish cultus and I really enjoy Philo. Though, of course, one constantly wonder where he is deriving his allegorical meanings from, I think his heart is in the right place! He wishes to encourage virtue and find significance in every ritual act performed – would that we had such care and intention in our own Christian traditions! Here is a nice quote from ‘On Special laws’ where he is... Read more
Crux Sola: Formed by Scripture to Live like Christ
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