This was a great episode, of the satirical and self-parodying sort that the X-Files regularly offered throughout its history. Early in the episode, Mulder reflects on how much of the unexplained has been explained since he previously worked on the X-Files, often in terms of pranks by college students. He uses a phrase from the New Testament as he considers that perhaps, as a middle-aged man, it is time to “put away childish things.” The individuals who claim to have... Read more
I love this. I hope that the experience of students is that, early on, we problematize simplistic ideas of good vs. evil, but also that by the end of their studies, we have helped them identify the genuine evils that are much more pernicious and pervasive, and which cannot be eliminated by killing “bad guys” since they are within each of us, and inspired them to find ways of overcome them and so make the world a better place. What do you... Read more
A nice quote from the Alison Bernstein, better known as “MommyPhD.” Read more
For those who live in an area where disclaimer labels are added to science textbooks, you might find a way to protest by asking that some of the additional stickers below be added to a variety of textbooks, including but not at all limited to those dealing with evolution. These come from Colin Purrington’s blog. Read more
It never ceases to amaze me, when I talk to Jesus mythicists online, how eagerly they embrace and defend Christian orthodoxy. They do not accept that Christian orthodoxy is true, of course. But they accept that it gets the facts right – an odd stance for such so-called skeptics to accept uncritically, never mind do battle about. But they do indeed fight in defense of the claims of historic Christian (and often specifically Roman Catholic) orthodoxy, insisting that Jesus was God in our earliest... Read more
Tim Bulkeley has posted the latest Biblical studies carnival, including round ups of a number of series that have been unfolding over the past month, as well as other topics, such as the SBL decision to paywall Review of Biblical Literature. I had already agreed to write one more review for RBL and so will do so, but I don't anticipate volunteering to do so again unless that decision is reversed. Click through to see what else has been happening... Read more
Jesus says, “The apostles were stupid and lazy men, who wrote whatever they wished with a great deal of paper and ink.” The quotation comes from the work known as Dialogue of the Paralytic with Christ, which you can read on Tony Burke’s blog (in a shorter version that lacks this particular statement). I’ve been meaning to share the quote from this work for a while, in meme form, since it will draw attention to this otherwise little-known apocryphon. The longer form of... Read more
The second half of my Talk Gnosis interview is now available as a podcast (and the video is available to subscribers, who will get to see me put on my Fourth Doctor scarf at the end of the discussion, when the conversation turns from the Mandaeans to classic Doctor Who. Click through to have a listen, on the site of the Gnostic Wisdom Network! Read more
There is a very interesting set of upcoming events for those living in the Indianapolis area, focusing on the music of Arvo Pärt. On February 4th at 7pm, at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Fishers, Indiana, there will be performances of Pärt’s music, one choreographed with a dance performance by students from the Indianapolis School of Ballet, and also a presentation by Peter Bouteneff about the religious significance of his music. And then the following day there will be a meeting to... Read more
It stumbles on its wording a little. But I still think the new version is intelligible, and makes a nice point through humor. When someone puts down their phone and gives you their full attention nowadays, it is an expression of their utmost respect. We could also add a version of John 10:18: “No one takes my phone from me. I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, I have authority to take... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In