Revisiting Mythicism

Last updated on: August 14, 2022 at 3:20 pm By James F. McGrath

It has been fascinating to revisit the topic of mythicism on the MythVision YouTube channel and discover that the conviction of diehard believers in the teachings of various mythicists continue to maintain their faith within the online communities that reinforce their identity. Here’s the video: If you take a look at the comments under the YouTube video you’ll see what discussion looks like among mythicists. Many of the points made in the video are ignored or failed to register. Some... Read more

In the Footsteps of John the Baptist 6: Ein Kerem and the Birthplace and Wilderness of John

Last updated on: August 14, 2022 at 2:33 pm By James F. McGrath

More highlights from my trip to the Holy Land. I drove to Ein Kerem, which was a village in Jesus’ time but today is a neighborhood in the modern city of Jerusalem. There is a tradition that identifies it as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Based on a second century source (which I will say more about in a guest post on Bart Ehrman’s blog soon) I think there is another possibility that deserves to be considered, one that... Read more

Gospel Nudity

Last updated on: August 5, 2022 at 2:03 pm By James F. McGrath

I’m worried that this post will be flagged on social media because of the title. It is not at all explicit in its content, although it does indeed mention people being naked. Two different people, although they may be connected. The reason I am blogging about this is to see what others think. As you probably know, I am writing a book that introduces the key information and terminology for New Testament studies to a general audience. In essence it... Read more

AI 2041 Panel at #SBLAAR22 (and a Conversation with #BlenderBot about Religion)

Last updated on: August 7, 2022 at 6:08 am By James F. McGrath

One of my appearances on the program of the American Academy of Religion conference in Denver in November is on a panel discussing the book AI 2041. The concept is one that immediately grabbed me: a book co-authored by a sci-fi author and a scientist, a collection of short stories and essays, the former depicting scenarios that the latter discusses. Speculative fiction and speculative nonfiction working hand in hand. I do not yet know how we are going to divvy... Read more

Bratislava Conference 2022 – Receptions of Paul during the First Two Centuries: Exploration of the Jewish Matrix of Early Christianity

Last updated on: August 3, 2022 at 11:08 am By James F. McGrath

I thought I should share this information about an upcoming online conference since there does not seem to be much info about it online and given the topic and presenters I know that my biblical studies colleagues who focus on Paul more than I do will want to attend. Bratislava Conference 2022: September, 19–22 Receptions of Paul during the First Two Centuries: Exploration of the Jewish Matrix of Early Christianity Location: Comenius University Bratislava, Evangelical (Lutheran) Theological Faculty (The conference... Read more

In the Footsteps of John the Baptist 5: Pools of Bethesda and Siloam

Last updated on: August 1, 2022 at 3:40 pm By James F. McGrath

Visiting two of the pools mentioned in the Gospel of John connected directly not just with my John the Baptist project but others. My doctoral work and first book, John’s Apologetic Christology, included significant attention to the stories in John 5 and 9. My recent What Jesus Learned from Women features a chapter on Jesus’ grandmother, Mary’s mother Hannah or Anne. As it happens, the Church of St. Anne is built on the location where excavation has revealed the pools... Read more

In the Footsteps of John the Baptist Part 4: Samaria

Last updated on: July 24, 2022 at 3:31 pm By James F. McGrath

Another first for me on my recent trip to the Holy Land was visiting Samaria. I had the absolute best guide possible. Seriously, who could possibly offer more insight to the Samaritans and their way of life than Abood Cohen, the grandson of the Samaritan high priest? If you have seen documentaries about the Samaritans, you have probably already seen him. I will include a couple at the end of this post. Here is a link to where you can... Read more

Experiential Learning: The Axe is at the Root of the Tree

Last updated on: July 21, 2022 at 6:47 am By James F. McGrath

I blogged previously about what I learned about cherry-picking from the Bible by actually picking cherries. Today I’ll do something similar in relation to words attributed to John the Baptist in Luke 3:9 and Matthew 3:10. John says the ax is already at the root of the tree, and unfruitful trees will be cut down. You may consider this part of my series “in the footsteps of John the Baptist” although this insight occurred as I was working in my... Read more

In the Footsteps of John the Baptist Part 3: Aenon near Salim

Last updated on: July 18, 2022 at 10:17 am By James F. McGrath

In many ways the most interesting stop on my trip to the Holy Land focused on the life of John the Baptist was in the Jordan River valley in between Yardenit in Galilee and Jerusalem in Judaea. I stayed at Kibbutz Tirat Zvi, and am glad I did. It made for something of an adventure since this is not a kibbutz that has developed itself as a destination for foreign tourists. “Reception” is only marked by a paper sign stuck on... Read more

Who is the Founder of Progressive Christianity?

Last updated on: July 16, 2022 at 9:59 am By James F. McGrath

Rather than give “Jesus” as a one-word answer to the question of who founded progressive Christianity, let me begin with a quote from something I wrote here on my Patheos blog some years ago which makes that same point but in more words and with more detail, which those who are skeptical of my assertion will need if they are to be persuaded: If “liberal Christianity” means Christianity that reflects the cosmology and worldview of a particular era, then the... Read more