Tonight’s episode of LOST was unusual, simply because it released tension rather than simply creating it. Things that we knew were bound to happen, things that we wondered about, we finally got to see. I won’t go into details, but those who have yet to see the episode may still wish to refrain from reading further until they’ve seen it. Perhaps most interesting, given my own interests outside of LOST, was the reflection on Thomas the Apostle. The themes of... Read more

I’ve been thinking about the introduction of time travel to LOST, and the interaction of the time-skippers with people in the past. I suspect that at some point, Walt will return to the island, but the island has been moved in time and so he will return at a point in the past, and will, among other things, try to warn Shannon to be quiet and tell John Locke to get up, he has work to do. While the island... Read more

“Most religious traditions portray God as exhibiting the very best of human traits toward the tribe or in-group (“those who believe or act like this…”), and the most horrific of human traits toward the out-group (those who fail to believe or act in the prescribed manner). For example, the U.S. Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate others in the pursuit of... Read more

Butler University’s library has begun establishing “Selected Works” pages for faculty, and I had the privilege of being the first (otherwise known as being a “guinea pig”). They’ve managed to get permission from several publishers to make the full text of some of my articles and reviews available, and probably will add more as the process progresses. Click here to take a look! Read more

I got back yesterday from the Midwest Society of Biblical Literature meeting at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. I wish to make a public apology for my constant coughing at the conference, which I’m certain was annoying (it certainly was to me – having bronchitis is a pain in the neck…er, lungs). In spite of this, and some sleep deprivation, it was a great conference. I spent Saturday at the Gospels section, where I read a paper entitled “Written... Read more

“As a scientist I conduct research the same way everyone else does (or, so I assume), guided by the scientific method. I attempt to interpret my data using my current knowledge of physiology, and I don’t think I have ever turned to I Thessalonians for information on endothelial-mediated vasodilation. Besides, everyone knows that all of the hot cardiovascular stuff is in I Corinthians. I simply don’t see my science guided by my faith, except in as much as my life... Read more

Reformed Baptist pointed out to me an interesting article available online, which tells of the connection between a famous scholar of the Greek New Testament and the Lady Hope hoax claiming that Darwin repented of the theory of evolution. The story also tells of a postcard from an individual who would later be a famous textual critic, which makes it worth reading all the way through to the very end. Also, apparently one of my recent posts is purging the... Read more

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday dear Charlie Happy birthday to you! (And to you too, Abe!) Read more

Christian Fundamentalists tell everyone that they ought to accept the truthfulness of the Bible. It is painfully ironic, therefore, that the character of fundamentalism has the effect of powerfully undermining the confidence of those who investigate or think seriously about its historicity. Think about it. Someone like N. T. Wright can come along and make the argument for why we ought to leave room in our approach to history for the possibility that the disciples really experienced encounters with the... Read more