I’ve been wanting for a while now to begin a series on the evidence for various things having been said and done by, to, or in connection with the historical figure of Jesus. Time constraints between now and the end of November will mean that any posts I offer between now and then will be on the brief side. It has been a challenge to decide where to begin. I’ve chosen a case that is by no means absolutely clear... Read more

See more funny videos at Funny or Die HT SF Signal Read more

This post is for those who currently find themselves opposing Obama because of religious reasons, rumors they’ve heard, and things like that. I want to emphasize, now in the last hours before voting, but also potentially for the sake of our next president, that Obama is a Christian. He has a personal connection to and commitment to his faith. If you disagree with him on matters of economics and politics that’s OK. He may well be a Christian who is... Read more

Tonight’s episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles [NOTE: spoilers follow] brings in “faith” from the very first moments, as a shapeshifting terminator arrives looking for agent Ellison, only to be stopped by another (familiar) terminator. Was the first one intending to kill Ellison? What is the nature of the division between factions among the AIs of the future? Sarah Connor and compatriots then visit a diamond dealer named Moishe with a background in Rabbinics and the study of Torah,... Read more

Thanks to Nelu Balaj for pointing out George Monbiot’s article about anti-intellectualism in American politics and the way it baffles those who watch American politics from afar. Read more

I’ve finished off or am about to finish off several other projects that have been nearing completion, and then will be turning almost all of my attention to finishing off one of my conference papers for SBL. One of my papers relates to the Mandaeans, and I’ve regularly pointed out where texts related to the Mandaeans are available online. But in addition to texts, one can actually hear the Ginza read by a Mandaean priest from Bagdad. We can complain... Read more

Loren Rosson points to the online text of a lecture by Mark Nanos on Paul and the Shema. James Crossley has more Jesus in an age of terror. C.Orthodoxy presents evidence for the historical Jesus. Unorthodoxology in unintentionally inspiring doubt. Mark Goodacre continues to play the dating game. Truth and Tradition expects to find God’s Word beyond the Bible. Pharyngula points us to the story of the son of Rev. Phelps of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church. Clashing Culture looks... Read more

Just in case anyone missed the other announcements that have gone up, the latest Biblical Studies Carnival is up over at Abnormal Interests. Read more

Today in Sunday school we continued our discussion of church and state. Afterwards a church member came up and said that he saw a billboard while jogging that says “NObama” and the Bible reference Matthew 24:24. For those who may not immediately recognize it, the verse in question says: For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. This really has to stop. Supporters of both of... Read more

NT Wrong recently made a list of bibliobloggers and ranked them, and listed me as #1. I am puzzled and perplexed, honored and overwhelmed, touched, bemused, bewildered and just a tad overwhelmed! Thank you for bestowing this honor upon me! May your own blog speedily rise 14 ranks! To put this in perspective, let me clarify (1) that this ranking is based merely on site traffic, (2) may be a fluke unlikely to be repeated on any other month, and... Read more