A friend shared this cartoon on Facebook. Given the importance of the caricature of the mad scientist in a lot of science fiction, often used to warn of the dangers of scientists “playing God,” the cartoon usefully highlights that the caricature does not fit well with the description of the individuals as scientists. Some fit, but many more do not. Where the Engineers in Prometheus fit into this is an interesting question. I am reminded of the Doctor Who episode... Read more
Charles Häberl mentioned on his blog that he has posted his translation of chapters 11 and 12 of the Mandaean Book of John (or as it might also be called, the Doctrine of John or Teaching of John). Here are links to the relevant chapters on our project blog: Chapter 11 Chapter 12 The title he has given the section (following Lidzbarski) is “The Good Shepherd.” Do you think the title is apt, and how do you think the contents relate... Read more
Several items have come to my attention that are worth sharing, and hopefully no one will mind my lumping them together. Evolution Sunday is coming up soon, February 8-10. Among the helpful resources online is a personal testimony from an Episcopal perspective. The NCSE has asked for input on its new science standards. See also PBS’ ten examples of other things taught in creationist textbooks and Michael Zimmerman’s recent article in the Huffington Post. Wolfson College in Oxford has a research... Read more
In talking with someone over the past few days about my efforts to develop a “Choose Your Own Adventure” textbook, I realized that the Bible itself can be viewed as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. Think about it. No one gives equal attention to all of its contents, and so you get people following very different reading pathways through the Bible. Some devotional materials actually do something quite literally like the CYOA books. “If you want comfort while sick... Read more
I recently watched the remake of the movie “Total Recall,” this version starring Colin Farrell rather than Arnold Schwarzenegger. There were some other major differences, many of which are introduced right at the start of the movie. For instance, the plot focuses on Britain and Australia rather than Earth and Mars. Some of the technology for transportation – such as the “Fall” which allows fast travel via the Earth's core, as well as elevators that can move in all directions... Read more
Two pieces by this Romantic-era composer, courtesy of YouTube: Read more
I had the privilege of attending a concert at the Hilbert Circle Theater tonight. It featured cellist Zuill Bailey as soloist on Ernest Bloch's Schelomo and Nico Muhly's new Cello Concerto, together with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They also performed Camille Saint-Saens' Symphony No.3, the “Organ Symphony.” It was wonderful! I had heard Schelomo several times previously (never performed live, only recordings). But I had not realized that the piece took its inspiration from the first chapter of Ecclesiastes. And... Read more
After the sensational headline from last week, it seemed to some that the Dominican Biblical Institute had required Thomas Brodie to resign because of a book he wrote in which he claims that Jesus never existed: Beyond the Quest for the Historical Jesus: Memoir of a Discovery. A new article in The Limerick Leader challenges that claim, indicating that (1) the end of Brodie’s third term as director of the school was expected before the book came out, and he... Read more
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