UFOs, Conspiracy Theories, and Religion

Last updated on: August 11, 2020 at 1:45 pm By James F. McGrath

As someone interested in the study of religion including its intersection with science fact and science fiction, this interview with the author of a new book on the “unexplained phenomena” many people believe in is fascinating. Here are two excerpts that intersect particularly directly with my interests as well as with current events: I see conspiracy theories as arising out of that moment when the facts simply aren’t available to support your confirmation bias, so you have to make up... Read more

#CFP Critical Approaches to Horror in Doctor Who – Chapters Sought

Last updated on: August 11, 2020 at 2:57 pm By James F. McGrath

Although Doctor Who creator Sydney Newman wanted his show to be educational and avoid so-called “bug-eyed monsters,” the popularity of the Daleks in the second serial ensured that it would be better known for scaring kids into hiding behind the sofa. Adaptable as the science-fiction program is to fit a variety of other genres (e.g. the Western, screwball comedy, romance, period drama), horror dominates its cultural memory and ongoing practice. While there have been some critical essays over the years examining this... Read more

Doctor Who: State of Decay

Last updated on: August 9, 2020 at 3:01 pm By James F. McGrath

“State of Decay” continues what would turn out to be a trilogy of stories set in e-space. The story is set on a world where the way of life is reminiscent of Europe’s medieval period on Earth. The reason for this, we later learn, is that the rulers prohibit science and learning. Indeed, we are told that not only reading but “All science, all knowledge is forbidden by the Lords. The penalty for knowledge is death.” This is clearly a caricature... Read more

#CFP Call for Book Chapters: Jesuits in Science Fiction: The Clash of Reason and Revelation on Other Worlds

Last updated on: August 11, 2020 at 2:55 pm By James F. McGrath

Call for Book Chapters: Jesuits in Science Fiction: The Clash of Reason and Revelation on Other Worlds Edited by Richard Feist (Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada) To be published by Vernon Press Science fiction authors have long drawn deep upon philosophy, theology, history, science and various other disciplines. In the early 20th century a distinct sub-genre of science fiction emerged and continues today; it deals with Jesuits (and the like) exploring and experiencing the clash of reason and revelation within in... Read more

Alleluia! New Patheos Blog on the Bible and Music!

Last updated on: August 13, 2020 at 7:28 am By James F. McGrath

I am delighted to share the news and help spread the word that Delvyn Case is now a Patheos blogger! His blog will focus on the Bible and music, a longstanding interest we both share, which is what led to us making one another’s acquaintance in the first place. His blog is called Alleluia! Music and the Christian Life, and by the time I realized it was live, it already had several interesting posts on it. Take a look! Del... Read more

ReligionProf Podcast with Tony Burke

Last updated on: August 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm By James F. McGrath

It was a pleasure to record another episode of the ReligionProf Podcast, this time with Tony Burke as my guest. Seriously, what better follow-up to my post about Ariel Sabar’s book yesterday, given that Tony and I first met face to face (as I mention in the podcast) at a conference about fakes, forgeries, and fictions in Christian apocrypha? I presented on the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife at that conference. (On Sabar’s book now see also the posts by Dylan Burns,... Read more

Interview with Ariel Sabar about his new book, Veritas

Last updated on: August 11, 2020 at 6:02 am By James F. McGrath

I was incredibly excited when I saw that acclaimed journalist Ariel Sabar had a book coming out about the entire Gospel of Jesus’ Wife fiasco, scandal, hullabaloo, and whatever other terms may be needed to encapsulate the events that unfolded within as well as beyond academia. It brought me further delight when Sabar got in touch to say he would be sending me a copy. As you know, my blog was one of the places that there was frantic and I... Read more

Kismet and Canon

Last updated on: August 9, 2020 at 9:30 pm By James F. McGrath

A. David Lewis is seeking support for the creation of Kismet, Man of Fate Volume 2. You can contribute through his Patreon page. I interviewed Dave on the ReligionProf Podcast about the first volume. This is such an important and timely comic, and you can not only help ensure the longevity of its revival, but keep yourself in the loop about it, through a small gift. Why do I encourage you to give? This is a Muslim superhero who might... Read more

#CFP Heartland: U2’s Looking For American Soul An International Virtual U2 Conference For Scholars And Fans

Last updated on: August 9, 2020 at 4:40 am By James F. McGrath

Heartland: U2’s Looking For American Soul An International Virtual U2 Conference For Scholars And Fans October 18 – 24, 2020 U2 has journeyed – at times uneasily – through an America of pulsating metropolis, rugged heartland and shining sea. It long ago fell under the spell of America, but for just as long has felt it still hasn’t found America. When U2 talks about America, it often describes it in terms of an idea, a dream or an experiment rather... Read more

Because of the Fall: More on the Origin of Evil

Last updated on: August 7, 2020 at 9:26 pm By James F. McGrath

I have already shared one recent interview I did about my work on the origin of Gnosticism and my Enoch Seminar paper on the Talk Gnosis online radio show. Here is another, the Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio program whose latest episode features me talking with host Miguel Conner about the topic “The Shared Origins of Monotheism, Evil & Gnosticism”, focusing particular attention on how it relates to the subject of evil. I hope you enjoy listening to it half as... Read more