Understanding LLMs: Conversations With Claude

January 19, 2025 By James F. McGrath

It is urgent that people across all fields and disciplines respond to the appearance of Large Language Models (LLMs) and the chatbot interfaces with which humans can interact with them, but before there can be an appropriate response to LLMs, understanding LLMs must happen first. There is instead widespread misunderstanding, and this article seeks to address that. The most famous LLM is of course ChatGPT, and I have written about it more than once. Lately I have been experimenting with... Read more

New Reviews of Christmaker

January 17, 2025 By James F. McGrath

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Two new reviews have appeared online about Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist. Dave Courtney writes about my book: Every once in a while I come across a book that I finish, set down, and immediately want to discuss with everyone and anyone. This is one such book, Only to find that it’s near impossible to find someone else who has read it. More people need to read this. While I had points of disagreement, it is inspired, fascinating,... Read more

Earthseed and the God’s Gardeners Compared

January 2, 2025 By James F. McGrath

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Apparently today is National Science Fiction Day. While also writing an article about the Bible and AI, I tested out the latest version of ChatGPT available at the time (ChatGPT4o, with the letter ‘o’ abbreviating omni) as well as the specific customized version called Scholar GPT, to see what they can do and how I need to adjust my assignments in light of improvements. What better test than to ask Scholar GPT to compare the two fictional religions that feature... Read more

Doctor Who, Joy To The World!

December 25, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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This post about the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special “Joy to the World” will contain spoilers, because this is an episode that a religious studies professor who writes about Doctor Who has to comment on, and there’s no way to do so without discussing details, including the ending. The episode “Joy to the World” doesn’t just have the vague holiday connection that Christmas episodes tend to. The Doctor finds himself at the Time Hotel, which allows people to visit Christmas... Read more

Prophetic Name Tags

December 18, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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Prophetic name tags? Was it curiosity about what this post could possibly be about that led you to click and read it? If so, I trust you won’t be disappointed. There will be a mix of humor and genuine insight into an important story in the New Testament. And music too! (Feel free to check out the music first via this link and get it playing while you read.) When my Sunday school class got up to the story of... Read more

Conference Recap #SBLAAR24

November 29, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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The combined annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature in San Diego ( #sblaar24 ) was amazing. Upon arrival I had a chance to reconnect with old friends who were only there that first day before, and to record a short video (because I was running late) with Jacob Berman for his History Valley YouTube channel. The first full day of the conference began with a book review panel about John of History,... Read more

Happy I Love To Write Day!

November 15, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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While “I Love To Write Day” sounds like a recently made up holiday, one for which I’m guessing there aren’t even Hallmark cards available, as someone who loves to write, this seemed like a good opportunity to talk about what keeps me doing it. I’m long past the point where my job security depends on producing the level of output that I do. So why do I keep writing? Because I enjoy it, and it is part of the learning... Read more

AAR/SBL in San Diego

November 13, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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The American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature (AAR/SBL) is just over a week away. This is turning out to be a busy conference for me. I have sessions I’m presenting in, sessions of program units I co-chair, and things simultaneous with those that I’d also love to be at or should be at. If you will be attending the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting in San Diego, here are things that... Read more

Making Sense of Donald Trump’s Reelection

November 6, 2024 By James F. McGrath

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I am certain that in the coming days, I will be talking with a lot of academics, progressives, liberals, and Democrats who are not only grieving because of the United States election results but are baffled by Donald Trump’s reelection. I am sure I will hear a lot of “How can so many people support a fascist who boasted of sexually assaulting women?” I am not baffled, and I’m writing this post to help you understand what happened and how.... Read more