I became aware of another statement from an academic group and wanted to add it here along with the others that I’ve shared recently. It is from the American Academy of Religion’s Sociology of Religion program unit steering committee. Read more
I became aware of another statement from an academic group and wanted to add it here along with the others that I’ve shared recently. It is from the American Academy of Religion’s Sociology of Religion program unit steering committee. Read more
My review of Bart Ehrman’s recent book, Jesus Before the Gospels, has appeared in Review of Biblical Literature. I have shared the review on Academia.edu for those who may not subscribe to RBL. Here is an excerpt: Early in the book Ehrman justly emphasizes the relative neglect of recent work on the psychology of memory by New Testament scholars and the relevance of such studies to oral transmission and history. Yet one of the biggest issues with Ehrman’s book is that he... Read more
We see one practical example of the above in the decision of Republican politicians to remove laws that restricted the access of people with mental illnesses to guns. Read more
First, a call for papers for a new academic book series exploring the intersection of Christianity and the Digital Humanities: Second, from Princeton University: Application for Postdoctoral Research Associate (Application link here) The Center for Digital Humanities (CDH) at Princeton University invites applications for a two-year Digital Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship, starting in July 2017. As a member of the CDH team, the Digital Humanities Fellow will devote 50% time to participating in the life of the Center, which includes: collaborating... Read more
The above is a setting of the Psalms known as the “songs of ascent” (or similar titles), by Russian Orthodox bishop and composer Hilarion Alfeyev. Below is his setting of St. Matthew’s Passion. And here is his Christmas Oratorio: He is also the author of numerous books… Read more
The latest Biblical Studies Carnival is hosted by Cassandra Farrin, and focuses on bibliobloggers’ reactions to the U. S. election as well as their coverage of more typical topics in our field. (Philip Long also provides information about upcoming carnivals, including your opportunities to volunteer to host one!) Read more
Just as people say that we don’t realize that we are living in the “good old days” until they have passed, so too we tend not to recognize the significance of a presidency, a protest march, a speech, or a stand, until later. History is being made every moment. The big question is whether we will be proud or ashamed when later generations tell the story, and whether you or I will do anything worth singling out and remembering. But... Read more
Today my class on the Bible and music is picking up a thread from last time – Passion – and tracing it down to the present day, including into film scores. Students have been asked to listen to some things in common but also to explore and bring “show and tell.” If I am asked to share something, it will be Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds‘ Passion and Resurrection. I am grateful once again to YouTube for the opportunity to share... Read more
In exploring the traditions of chanting or singing the Psalms and other scriptures, I came across the above YouTube channel which features music of the Sephardic Jewish tradition, more specifically from Morocco. Can you detect that the tonality is not that of Western even-tempered music? You can find demonstrations of the relevant scales (also used in Arab music) online in multiple places, but I found Maqam World to be particular useful, with transcriptions, demonstrations on different instruments, and more. Read more
I expect you have heard the saying above before. Indeed, I suspect that I may have shared it on this blog before. But it is worth sharing again, because it sums up the choice before the United States at the moment. And it is the same choice the wealthy always face. One can horde, and try to cling to what one has accumulated. Or one can share, recognizing that it is never entirely your own efforts and merits that resulted... Read more
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