No Scientific Revelation in the Bible

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 7:58 pm By James F. McGrath

As several other bloggers have already mentioned, Jesus Creed featured a post recently about John Walton’s emphasis on the fact that the Bible includes no scientific revelation. Here is a relevant quotation from Walton, a leading Evangelical scholar with particular expertise in Genesis: I just want to make two quick points here. The first one is that in the Bible there is no scientific revelation.That’s such an important point. Israel is not getting any new understanding of the material world,... Read more

The Mandaeans and John the Baptist

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 5:45 pm By James F. McGrath

I was asked a question on the Mandaean Book of John blog, and thought I’d share my answer here as well. The question was about whether there could have been a historical connection between John the Baptist and the Mandaeans. Here’s what I answered: I think that it is entirely possible that there is some connection between the Mandaeans and John the Baptist, in the same way that there is a connection between Christians and Jesus. But since our oldest... Read more

The Real Differences Between Atheists and Christians (according to Twitter)

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 4:09 pm By James F. McGrath

Hemant Mehta has shared some fascinating infographics indicating which words are used more frequently by atheists or by Christians on Twitter. It is definitely interesting. Atheists not only swear more frequently. They also mention “hell” and “Bible” more often too. But you’ll get more “blessed,” “praise,” and “Jesus” and “Christ” from Christians. Here is one of the infographics. Click through to see some of the others. Read more

Pre-Emptive Judgment

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 2:34 pm By James F. McGrath

M. J. Shepherd posted this cartoon, in response to something Pat Robertson said about DOMA, Prop 8, and Sodom and Gomorrah. It is important to always remember that not everyone, even among conservative Christians, thinks like Pat Robertson. Take a look, for instance, at Jeremy Smith’s post on the “laws of God,” and Todd Mangum’s post-DOMA thoughts on the Biblical Seminary Faculty Blog. Read more

We Promise (Fingers Crossed)

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 11:14 am By James F. McGrath

David Hayward's latest cartoon. Read more

Geddy Lee on Religion, Spirituality, and “Positive Energy”

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 10:09 am By James F. McGrath

Tom Beaudoin, a theology professor at Fordham University who blogs at Rock and Theology, asked Geddy Lee of the band Rush about his thoughts on the relationship between music and spirituality. This was his answer: It is interesting to hear him articulate that a strict religious upbringing killed any love he might have had for religion, and yet go on to speak of spirituality and even karma in a positive way. You can read Tom’s thoughts about Lee’s answer on... Read more

Nothing New Under The Sun

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 9:07 am By James F. McGrath

It is being reported that Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert is saying that same-sex marriage is something that has historically been introduced at the end of a civilization's history. He appeals in support of this claim to Solomon as the “most wise man” [sic] and his statement that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Solomon, of course, is a great person to appeal to in favor of traditional marriage. Not the recent American version of marriage involving one man and... Read more

By Vectron!

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 8:00 am By James F. McGrath

From Mitchell and Webb. HT Jim Linville. Although in comically exaggerated fashion, it could serve as a nice conversation-starter on the way things get invented and their recent origin forgotten surprisingly quickly. Or about the usefulness of ritual. By Vectron’s knees, crack open a bottle of Chablis and talk about this! Read more

Vridar No Longer Available

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 7:51 am By James F. McGrath

I was in the process of writing a response to Neil Godfrey’s latest accusation against me, when Joel Watts drew my attention to the fact that his blog Vridar has apparently been shut down by WordPress: I hope this is not the result of someone who finds the content on the blog objectionable making a frivolous complaint. While I’ve often said myself that mythicism is to history what young-earth creationism is to biology, and objected to the slanderous way scholars... Read more

2013 String Scholars Camp Finale Concert

Last updated on: June 28, 2013 at 7:34 am By James F. McGrath

I already shared the hilarious finale piece, “Remote Control.” Here are the other pieces performed by the full orchestra: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter,” Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” Bernard Herrmann’s “Psycho,” and William Hofeldt’s “Lullaby.” Read more