I have mentioned before that I want to return sometime to write a book that picks up again John A. T. Robinson’s case in his book The Priority of John that we can say things about the historical Jesus that some have insisted we cannot, and that the Gospel of John might prove surprisingly helpful in our attempt to do so. It occurred to me that my new book What Jesus Learned from Women connects with that quite directly. I have known... Read more
International Women’s Day is an important day dedicated to challenging global inequities, and I hope my book, even with its focus on ancient texts, contributes to that effort. I am honored that two fantastic scholars from whom I have learned much endorsed my book. That they are both women makes their positive words all the more meaningful and also I think appropriate. Michael Thomson mentioned and quoted one of those endorsements when he wrote something really nice himself about my... Read more
On March 22nd I will be a panelist that will discuss this year’s Freedman Lecture, which was delivered live in the context of the Enoch Seminar on John the Baptist in January. We’ll show the recording of that lecture, which in fact featured multiple scholarly panelists talking about their own interest in, quest for, and/or perspective on John the Baptist. Then we will follow with discussion that will interact with the presentation and also with one another. If you are... Read more
The people who are up in arms about alleged “canceling” of Dr. Seuss are the historic cancelers of those they disagree with. We could do with some really good children’s stories that address that issue. I will come back to that later. First I want to focus on the more pressing current matter, which is not that anyone’s children’s books will be confiscated. A publisher has decided not to continue publishing certain books, and many libraries are deciding to do... Read more
I was asked on Facebook whether in my book I tackle the question of how Jesus could be divine and yet also have learned. The short answer is that I don’t attempt to engage in the work of constructing a systematic theology around my conclusions. As is usually the case, as a New Testament scholar my focus is on the historical and literary evidence and approaches. I don’t tell theologians what to do with the results. But I do tackle... Read more
It didn’t seem appropriate to post about something else on a day when QAnon conspiracy theorists are claiming there will be (and thus helping to bring about) another attempt to overthrow American democracy. I am fairly certain that today will not make the downfall of the United States as we know it but will rather represent yet another failed prophecy of the QAnon movement. But it may be a day when there is turmoil and violence. Other things can wait... Read more
I thought I would share here on the blog a few brief questions and answers I wrote about my new book for the purpose of providing interested journalists with a press kit. I also observe with considerable delight that my book is available just in time for Women’s History Month. I suspect that some readers of this blog might have connections with universities, seminaries, churches, and other organizations that would be interested in hosting a talk by me about what... Read more
Before getting to the piece that gives its title to this post, let me start by mentioning a Dan Gardner worship song I learned in the UK, “Come, Sing a New Psalm.” You can listen to it on YouTube. It is interesting because it raises the question, can one write and sing a new Psalm of David as the song’s lyrics imply? My initial instinct, like yours, is to say “no.” Yet the Psalms that are labeled “of David” in... Read more
It was great to have a Zoom conversation with Joe White yesterday. Joe is the creator of a new app called Polybook and I’m really excited about what it does, in particular its potential for use by students and educators in particular. Perhaps the best way to introduce Polybook is by way of Joe’s Twitter account. His Twitter user name is “Joes2ndBrain” and in our conversation he mentioned one of the many impetuses that led to the creation of Polybook... Read more
Special Issue CFP / Mormonism and SF (March 1, 2021) Mormonism and SF Special Issue of SFRA Review, vol. 51, no. 3, Summer 2021 Edited by Adam McLain Background Since its inception in the early nineteenth century, Mormonism has shot for the stars. With angelic visitors, planetary afterlives, and astronomical texts written by ancient patriarchs, the theology and history of Mormonism is ripe for analysis and criticism through the lens of SF. In addition to the beliefs, practitioners of the religion—the largest... Read more
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