Intergalactic Comparative Theology

Last updated on: August 30, 2016 at 7:20 pm By James F. McGrath

Blogging Theology reminded me of the above image from TheologyGrams, which I shared here once before a while back, comparing the views of Calvin, Arminius, and Darth Vader. And on a similar matter of space theology, Remnant of Giants explored the question of how the discovery of extraterrestrial life might impact theology, offering differing perspectives from Jerome Eckstein and C. S. Lewis – together with this picture: Steve Wiggins also blogged about our galactic neighborhood, and suggested that in an infinite universe,... Read more

So That’s What those Prophecies Mean

Last updated on: August 31, 2016 at 11:06 am By James F. McGrath

How will the world end? It will be issued in by the “Trump of God.” The King James Version translators didn’t know that they needed to capitalize “Trump.” How could they? It all makes sense now… Read more

You’re So Vain

Last updated on: August 31, 2016 at 12:20 pm By James F. McGrath

Hilding Rosenberg, Symphony No.4 “Johannes uppenbarelse”

Last updated on: August 31, 2016 at 11:20 am By James F. McGrath

A symphony based on and incorporating parts of the Revelation of John, as well as poems by Hjalmar Gullberg. Composed in the context of World War II and the expansion of the Nazis into Scandinavia. Just one of the ever-increasing number of pieces that I know will need to at least get a mention in my course next semester on the Bible and music. Expect this to be a recurring theme over the coming months. Read more

Playing Canon in Class

Last updated on: August 31, 2016 at 7:03 am By James F. McGrath

Canon: The Card Game has gone from being an idea, to a clear concept, to a game with printed cards, and most recently, to a game I’ve played in two settings: my Sunday school class at church, and then with the students in my Religion and Science Fiction class. The video above incorporates video and photos from the latter. The next stop is that, in about 8 days from today, you will be able to buy the game through The... Read more

Random Churches of Rome 3: Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti

Last updated on: August 20, 2016 at 8:45 pm By James F. McGrath

On my return visit to Rome, one of the churches I happened to pass and so popped into was San Martino ai Monti. It is less frequented by tourists, and yet there has been a church on this spot since around the year 500! Join me for a brief look around inside… Read more

The LEGO Grad Student

Last updated on: August 29, 2016 at 1:05 pm By James F. McGrath

I’m grateful to PZ Myers for sharing a link to the LEGO Grad Student. The image above is just a sample. Here is one more: Click through for more! Read more

Random Churches of Rome 2: Church of the Gesù

Last updated on: August 20, 2016 at 8:44 pm By James F. McGrath

One church that I happened to walk past in Rome and so entered was the Church of the Gesù. I didn’t know at the time that it was connected with the founding of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits. What I did recognize immediately was that it contained some great works of art. There was a mirror in place to make it easier to view the art on the ceiling. I hope you enjoy this slideshow of photos I took when... Read more

Random Churches of Rome 1: Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater

Last updated on: August 20, 2016 at 8:35 pm By James F. McGrath

Some of the most delightful moments in my exploring Rome this summer were unscripted moments when I happened to be passing a church and decided to enter. Sometimes I found incredible works of art. Once I found a performance going on of Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater, in the Sant’Andrea della Valle church in Piazza Vidoni. Having come in while the performance or a rehearsal was already underway, I didn’t stay very long. But while I was there, the sounds of in that setting was breathtaking.... Read more

How Is Harry Potter Different Than the Bible?

Last updated on: August 26, 2016 at 12:25 pm By James F. McGrath

In fact, they read it all the way through, paying close attention to detail, on more than one occasion. It seems to me as though many Christians who claim to take the Bible seriously actually merely pay lip service to it. Perhaps someone should write a spoof book about how to fake knowledge of and adherence to the Bible, in a way that gets at what people actually do? Read more