You’ve presumably seen episode I and episode II. The final installment of this carnival, like the later seasons of LOST, unveils what some of you suspected all along, its sci-fi character. And of course, fans of this carnival, like LOST fans, will debate endlessly whether the writer had this in mind from the outset or was just making it up as he went along…
Frankenstein
Steve Wiggins blogged about bad eggs…and Prometheus.
The Matrix
In the world of the Matrix, things seem real but are simulations. Tom Verenna pointed out that in David Elkington’s virtual world, real scholars don’t blog or use Facebook. Steve Caruso created a page with information about the simulated (i.e. forged) lead codices, showed derivation from known sources, and offered careful, detailed analysis of the characters on them. Dan McClellan highlighted Facebook dishonesty related to the Jordanian lead books, offered photos of the codices, and said that Steve beat and punched him…or something like that. One site about them has a definite sci-fi feel to it. It is also worth considering that buying lead codexes may be a bit like buying a wooden iPad.
Judy Redman blogged about the way the internet is changing research.
Jonathan Robinson blogged about Paul and Trinity. Ian Paul is reloading his matrix.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Suzanne discussed women, work and childbearing as well as the hoe culture. Scot McKnight discussed gender and social distinctions in the Bible. Danut Manastireanu blogged about complementarianism and egalitarianism. Aristotle and Genesis also had something to say on the subject, as J. K. Gayle blogged about sexism in Genesis. David Lamb discussed the debate between two men about gender on Her.meneutics.
April DeConick blogged about her forthcoming book, Holy Misogyny, and mentioned that it is available for Kindle.
Josh McManaway discussed Paul’s interpretation of the Ishmael and Isaac story.
Claude Mariottini blogged about honoring one’s mother. Michael Bird briefly considered Roman divorces. And gender in sci-fi and fantasy was also discussed, as was Dominionism.
Doctor Who
Without travelling back through time to understand the old perspective on Paul, you might not understand the new. Hence Phillip Long’s trip in the TARDIS. AKMA did some time travel too. David Pettigrew went back to look for the historical Erastus.
Some ancient things still come to light without time travel, such as the ancient churches in a BAR article which Andie linked to, and the Miriam ossuary which appears to be authentic (although that doesn’t mean that Fox News is reporting about it accurately). Others have been damaged and would require time travel to ever visit them again.
Paul Flesher discussed what a synagogue would have looked like in Jesus’ time. And a book by Ben Witherington began to get reviewed.
Planet of Giants
David and Goliath is going to be made into a movie; Remnant of Giants unsurprisingly provides many details (and brought Jonathan into the picture). Jim West picked a side in this famous fight.
Silence in the Library
Steve Caruso announced major innovations in the Biblioblog Reference Library, including a new journal and a new press! Bill Heroman blogged about Jesus’ so-called silent years.
The Rebel Flesh
An interaction with Klyde Snodgrass on the subject of identity in the New Testament.
The Impossible Astronaut Bible
Continuing the extensive blogging that took place throughout this month about The Bible Made Impossible, Scot McKnight responded to earlier reviews, such as that by Peter Leithart – to which the author, Christian Smith, also responded.
Let’s Kill Hitler
Joel Willits had two posts on giving the wicked hell. Bob Cornwall discussed Paul’s universalism in Philippians (and Henry Neufeld discussed publishing the book Bob was reviewing).
Chris Heard had previously asked the oldest question in the universe (and really did care what you think). Bob McDonald and John Hobbins answered it. Silence will fall.
TRON
Flynn was digitized in a matter of seconds. Rome, on the other hand, wasn’t digitized in a day. Daniel Kirk had God become part of the story rather than remaining outside of it.
Battlestar Galactica
Undeception discussed why Protestants (but not others) demand a literal Adam and Eve (neither of whom was a Cylon). Mason explained why he cares about this. Genetic evidence should not be ignored or fuzzed up in considering the topic. Danut Manastireanu considered the disagreement between Scot McKnight and Al Mohler. Remnant of Giants also discussed a book surveying quests for Eden. And Religion Nerd mentioned several topics, including Adam and Even and the religion of Battlestar Galactica (on the latter see also this additional post). Matthew Malcolm could have illustrated his point by talking about church members wanting Gaius Baltar to be their pastor, but he went with Pontius Pilate instead. There will be a conference on the Christian Moses.
Dune
In the future envisaged by Dune, the Orange Catholic Bible serves as Scripture for some. Larry Hurtado blogged about the distinction between Scriptures and canon. Ricky Carvel discussed the question of how Paul’s letters may or may not have been edited to produce the form in which we know them today. Michael Patton discussed textual issues in Romans 5:1. Mike Kok introduced redaction criticism. The British Library posted about the New Testament in Codex Sinaiticus. Eis Doxan mentioned scholarly editions of the Bible both in print and online. Andrew McGowan explained that the Bible is not a book. Randall Rauser ironically got accused of being a “Bible-hater.” Henry Neufeld discussed the importance of context.
A Canticle for Leibowitz
ETC reported on a fragment of 1 Corinthians that may be very early.
The Talmud Blog mentioned Hebrew manuscripts galore.
LOST
John Anderson published a book about Jacob. Deirdre Good has begun blogging about the Others (other scholars, that is).
Comic Books
G. I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra
Stephen Prothero suggested that we need to disconnect God from natural phenomena.
Godzilla
Nicholas to Myra blogged about mythical creatures in the Bible and Church Fathers (HT Rantings of the Biscuitnapper)
Night of the Living Dead Bibliobloggers
Diglotting discussed the infamous zombies in the Gospel of Matthew. Thom Stark discussed ancient Judean concepts of afterlife (with the dead, much too quietly).
Star Wars
The Phantom Menace
Jeffrey Garcia told the back-story to the New Testament, focusing on Pharisees and Jesus & the Law.
Attack of the Clones
Doug Chaplin asked how unique Jesus’ summary of the law was.
The Empire Strikes Back
Marc Cortez offered advice from Yoda, as well as from himself, for students and padawans.
Star Trek
In a world where we have yet to develop replicator technology that could give us whatever we ask for and so eliminate poverty (the relationship of which to the Gospel got some discussion), Weekend Fisher pondered the relevance of the “reset” model provided by the Jubilee year. Even so, it may not lead to an egalitarian society.
After the invention of the universal translator, will everyone switch to using Greek and Hebrew Bibles? Until then, we still need translations, and BW16 blogged about Tom Wright’s not quite universal translation, followed by Sheffield Biblical Studies. Eis Doxan mentioned the REB. On the Main Line shared a Hebrew review of the Jerusalem Bible from 1956. Joel looked for Matthew’s ass. Chris Heard asked which translations people are using in academic classes.
Language-learning resources likewise remain crucial. Chris Heard shared a poster explaining Hebrew prepositions. Dirk Jongkind blogged about Greek particles. Larry Hurtado discussed Martin Hengel’s emphasis on the importance of languages in New Testament study. And will technology ever be able to translate poetry?
“Mirror, Mirror”
C. Sterling Bartholomew blogged about an alternative reality reading in Ezekiel. Michael Barber discussed theology as exegesis and exegesis as theology.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Brian LePort blogged about the Genesis device motif in Romans 1. Ken Ham turns out to take a cafeteria approach to Genesis after all, as many of us have long known.
Deep Space Nine
In Biblical studies, when reference is made to “the Prophets” it usually has in mind those of ancient Israel, or perhaps early Christianity, rather than interdimensional beings who reside within a wormhole. Lauren Anders seems to have learned more about the ministry from the former than the latter, and continues blogging about it.
Total Partial Recall and Johnny Mnemonic
Brian LePort blogged about chreia in the New Testament, and Nick Norelli responded.
John Hobbins remembered Eugene Nida, while J. K. Gayle remembered and compared Nida and Pike.
Mark Vernon blogged about the Bible and doubt. Allan Bevere discussed orthodox doubt. Randall Rauser considered William Lane Craig’s advice about doubt to be rather bad.
Avatar
Mark Noll shared thoughts about Christology and science.
Behold the Man
Deirdre Good mentioned Rembrandt’s portrait(s) of Jesus (which was featured in the NY Times). Richard Hall quoted Käsemann on not knowing what to do with Jesus. Andrew Perriman discussed 1 Peter as a “revelation of Jesus.” Tom Verenna discussed Jesus possibilianism.
The Golden Compass
John Anderson discussed the morality, immorality and/or amorality of God.
1984
Duane Smith, Jim West and Roger Pearse blogged about the keeping of academic publications in the hands of an elite (and wealthy) few. James Pate asked who can interpret the Bible. Joel discussed the authority of God and Scripture in a book review.
The Fountain
RJS reflected on immortality as divine gift. Nick Norelli appealed to Highlander to make a point about immortality – a theme that also was a focus of an episode of Torchwood.
Starship Troopers
Paul used military imagery – was he a pacifist?
Apocalyptic End of the World Blockbusters
Matthew Crowe shared a preterist cartoon that many scholars of Revelation will appreciate:
James Pate began the Dawn of Apocalyptic.
Mike Bird blogged about a new book about new creation in Revelation. And Mike Beidler brought eschatology together with protology into the range of his blogging interests.
David Opderbeck released the trailer for Reading Revelation Responsibly: The Motion Picture. Daniel Levy found a video of N. T. Wright addressing the political ramifications of Revelation (John Byron and Jonathan Robinson also had things to say about the political interpretation of the NT). Clifford Kvidahl reviewed a book on the connections between Eden and Revelation.
2012
Joel Willits blogged about the Noachide laws. Steve Wiggins blogged about attributing hurricanes to deities (which many had been discussing due to Bachmann’s quip). Richard Anderson discussed Jesus not walking on the sea. Randall Rauser asked whether songs about cataclysms are appropriate for a children’s choir.
Knowing
Rod discussed Ezekiel’s oracles (including the racy bits).
The Road
Ferrell Jenkins blogged about travelling in Israel.
Signs
At Unsettled Christianity, a blog post about portents in the NT and Josephus.
Quantum Leap
Transformers
Unreasonable Faith mentioned the flexibility of religion and the Bible to become different things and serve different purposes.
Parable of the Talents
Roland Boer discussed the cultural and economic context of this famous parable.
The X Files
Otagosh blogged about ghostwriting Paul. Matthew Malcolm discussed the soulish and the spiritual in Corinth. Jim West compared a BAR article to the things Mulder tended to investigate.
Death Race 2000
Duane Smith blogged about a Bible targeted for a particular audience.
Stargate
A book from 1877 attempting to connect the pyramids and the Bible got reviewed.
VALIS
JohnDave Medina blogged about metaphysics and Scripture.
Video Games
American Jesus and Matthew Paul Turner blogged about El Shaddai, an Enoch-based video game that Jim Davila has also mentioned often, and Kristin Swenson more recently blogged about:
The Twilight Zone
Some New Testament scholars performed classic rock:
Fred MacDowell shared 18th century prayers to Mary in Hebrew.
Directors’ Cuts, Special Editions and Reviews
Commentary tracks were offered for the following films and TV shows: 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 1-3. Philip Tite offered advice on writing book reviews. I would have included Jim Davila’s golem post, but Lord of the Rings isn’t sci-fi.
I’m not sure whether this was the first Biblical Studies Carnival in history to have a full-blown science fiction theme. Either way, it is over now, although you can have fun seeing whether you can figure out why posts were connected with the sci-fi works that they were.
Stay tuned to Scotteriology for next month’s carnival!
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