Jim Davila shared a link to an article by Geza Vermes about the Testimonium Flavianum, the more famous and more detailed of Josephus’ two references to Jesus. While some still think that the whole thing may be a later insertion by Christians, the consensus seems to be moving in the direction of there having been an original reference to Jesus which was later tampered with by Christians. Whatever one thinks of the reference, I’ve been intrigued for some time by a... Read more

Polycarp and Bible Shockers linked to two different news clips about this story. Here’s the one that could be embedded: Read more

As if the struggle to get exams and essays graded, and final grades calculated and submitted by Tuesday morning, were not enough, the university has scheduled my department for wall repairs beginning Monday. Jordan Hall, where my office is located, has had issues for decades with leaky roofs and bulging and crumbling walls. So I’m thankful that repairs are being done, but would have preferred not to have to be concerned this weekend to put away all loose papers and... Read more

Here's yet another gem from an exam, a small spellin slip that seemed nonetheless to affirm that Jesus was indeed tempted in every way that is common to human experience. The student mentioned "Jesus' temptation by Satan in the dessert." We've all been there, haven't we? Read more

Kay at Ephemeral Thoughts tagged me with a meme. As she wrote, “The rules of the meme are to list three religions, apart from your own, that you find fascinating and why.” I was tempted to list “conservative Christianity” and explain what I like about it and what its role was in bringing me to faith and setting me out on a journey I’m still on. But I think that, given that Christianity still is my tradition, and a various conservative... Read more

Another gem from an exam: “Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, is an emotionless book told by an emotionless but wise narrator.” Read more

I’ve been meaning to share this since +Wrong shared it a little over a week ago: Read more

I’ll be frantically grading between now and next Tuesday, like so many others in academia. The best gem in an exam thus far was a student who wrote that the Gospel of John presents Jesus as “Wisdom in carnage.” I will assume that the student meant “Wisdom incarnate” – but you never know. Elsewhere in the blogosphere, the “Poor Joseph” ad has been getting a lot of attention – the most recent is from Tana Ganeva (HT J. C. Baker)... Read more

"There are those who believe that God literally "dictated" word for word the entire document. This would be fine, but admittedly if true, God is about a C+ at best as writer and historian." –'It's Just a Matter of Interpretation' by Sherry at A Feather Adrift http://afeatheradrift.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/its-just-a-matter-of-interpretation/ Read more

The discussion group I’ve organized involving faculty in religion, philosophy and biology met for the first time today (at a theological discussion center not far from campus) to discuss ancient and modern ideas of creation, divine action and causality as well as their relation (or not) to the natural sciences. Our jumping-off point for discussion was John Walton’s The Lost World of Genesis One. Some fascinating discussions ensued, as well as interesting opportunities to compare what issues come up or... Read more