There has been so much exciting science news lately, and even just in everyday life I’ve encountered interesting new technology. At the new Central Library in Indianapolis the employees use Vocera, which is a short hop away from the badge-communicators that are standard Starfleet issue in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Kirk’s communicator looks positively antiquated compared to today’s cell phones; Sisko’s badge will look lame in the not too distant future. One exciting bit of news is that one... Read more

Not long ago I posted a survey asking: Should something that is so baffling that you feel you must blog about it be called “mind blogging” or “mind bloggling”? The results are in. “Mind blogging” received a mere 4 votes, while “mind bloggling” received 23. In other words, 85% of those who voted preferred “mind bloggling”. The will of the people has been expressed. The matter is settled. There is much going on out there right this instant that is... Read more

I’ve read some real gems over the years, but this is this year’s best so far (and it is hard to imagine anyone could beat it): “In 1941 an Italian expedition found the stone with Pointus Pilate engraved. Also found next to his name was the word that means Roman Empire. This find proves Pointus Pilate was a Roman Empire during the time suggested, just as said in the Bible”. I am at a loss for words… Read more

Anyone who teaches theology or religion and has never looked into the workshops and other resources and support that the Wabash Center has to offer are missing out. I benefitted immensely from the workshop I attended. In addition to the helpful opportunity to interact with other professors in similar and very different institutions, and to compare notes on our experiences and pedagogies, there was also an opportunity to apply for a follow-up grant for a separate research project. Take a... Read more

For many Christians, being a Christian is about being right and everyone else being wrong. For such individuals, there is no actual understanding of what Christianity teaches, except on some vague level. Being a Christian is, for such people, not about living a certain way, or adhering to certain values that involve turning the other cheek. Paul the apostle challenged those who considered themselves God’s chosen ones and others automatically condemned because they are outsiders to think again. If he... Read more

I just finished reading the recent book Dethroning Jesus: Exposing Popular Culture’s Quest to Unseat the Biblical Christ by Darrell Bock and Daniel Wallace. My overall impression is that it makes some valid points, but because on the whole the book is dedicated to toeing the authors’ understanding of the conservative theological party line, most of what could have been valuable in the book is thereby undermined. It is a book that arises out of seemingly unexamined, deep-rooted presuppositions, and... Read more

“Many of us at Christian colleges really grieve at what a problem this young-earth creationism makes for the Christian witness. It’s almost like they’re adding another thing you have to believe to become a Christian. It’s like saying, You have to believe the world is flat to be a Christian, and that’s absolutely unreasonable” (Stephen Moshier, Chair of the Department of Geology at Wheaton College; quoted in a Christianity Today blog entry the title of which says it all: “Young... Read more

OK, so I’m enough of a fan that I waited for the LOST trailer to load even over dial-up. It is worth seeing, even though (like most clips of this sort) it is quick snippets going by very fast. The most interesting shot? Charlie. He’s dead, but the dead have returned on the island before. In fact, I remember the actor who plays him saying it would be cool to have him come back in Obi-Wan Charlie form. Which leads... Read more

Biblical Archaeology has offered two perspectives on a discussion that is also gaining momentum in the blogosphere. Michael Halcomb and Metacatholic are exchanging posts, and of course I have shared some thoughts on the subject in the past. In this particular exchange, I have to side with those who are against forcing a harmonization of the two stories – although I am not for that reason in favor of cancelling your Christmas pageant. The combined story is no more and... Read more

Tonight the last episode of Kid Nation aired. The show will be missed, although this is not to suggest that children should have been or should be kept away from their families for longer periods of time, for our entertainment. But the show didn’t just invent a new reality TV gimmick. It gave a group of kids an educational experience, and in doing so also gave the rest of us a basis for hope for the future. I admit that... Read more