Arrogant Thanksgiving?

Last updated on: May 3, 2020 at 6:53 am By James F. McGrath

Randal Rauser commented on Twitter about the following meme image, saying ‘There’s nothing “arrogant,” “vain,” or “self-absorbed” about believing that you’ve been granted a blessing and being thankful for it. If you want to see arrogance in action, just look at this tweet.’ Here’s the conversation that ensued between me and him in response: James F. McGrath @ReligionProf I disagree. I think the Book of Job and much else in scripture as well as experience highlights the theological problem... Read more

Academic Consensus for Laypeople

Last updated on: April 21, 2020 at 3:38 pm By James F. McGrath

Another great question came up in a discussion on this blog, and I once again want to share my long comment as a blog post so that it reaches a wider audience. Here’s what I wrote: It is a great question how laypeople can tell what the academic consensus is. I think there are a number of considerations. There are those who just want to know what the consensus is if there is one. There are some who will inform... Read more

#CFP Cold War and End Times

Last updated on: April 29, 2020 at 9:56 pm By James F. McGrath

CALL FOR PAPERS The Cold War and the End Times: Apocalyptic and Millenarian Themes in Politics, Society and Culture, 1946-1989. Virtual Symposium: 4th June 2020 Deadline for Submissions: 12th May 2020 In the 1970s Ronald Reagan is reported to have told Sen. James Mills that “everything is in place for the battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ” and that “Ezekiel says that fire and brimstone will be rained upon the enemies of God’s people. That must mean that... Read more

Stay-at-Home Orders in the Bible (and “What Use is God?”)

Last updated on: April 29, 2020 at 10:06 pm By James F. McGrath

I thought I’d share a part of the recording from my Sunday school class meeting via Zoom. Have a listen, and then if you’re interested in joining us for a future meeting, let me know. Earlier in our gathering (which is mostly conversational in character and isn’t typified on the whole by me talking at great length) someone read a bit from one of the letters attributed to Paul, and that made me think of something I hadn’t before: in... Read more

Missing Gospel Found! (Missing Ending Still Missing)

Last updated on: April 28, 2020 at 7:01 am By James F. McGrath

I was excited beyond belief to learn that a long-lost manuscript was located by scholars in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Antiquities Museum. The manuscript in question is the only partial copy we have of any part of the ancient text known as the Gospel of Peter. Hugh Houghton and Mina Monier have reported on this discovery and much more in an article, “Greek Manuscripts in Alexandria,” that appeared this month in The Journal of Theological Studies. Here’s the relevant part of the... Read more

Religious Pioneers in Popular Music and Challenging Patriarchy, Heteronormativity and Racism

Last updated on: April 18, 2020 at 3:03 pm By James F. McGrath

There is a good piece in The Paris Review about the role of pop music breaking out of a gender binary. Recognizing names mentioned in the article, I was struck by the fact that the focus is on black, queer, female blues artists who were also involved in and shaped by religious communities and produced religious as well as secular music. Sister Rosetta Tharpe has been described elsewhere as the “patron saint of rock music” and the title and its religious... Read more

Biblical Aramaic: A Reader and Handbook

Last updated on: April 18, 2020 at 2:07 pm By James F. McGrath

I’m long overdue to blog about another book, and it makes for a natural follow up to another recent book review here on the blog. I am referring to Biblical Aramaic: A Reader and Handbook. It is mainly aimed at those studying “biblical Aramaic” which means the Aramaic used in books like Daniel. My own interests intersect more with the Aramaic spoken somewhat later, in the time of Jesus, and with dialects relevant to other still later literature I’ve studied... Read more

Oasis

Last updated on: April 18, 2020 at 9:51 am By James F. McGrath

It took me far longer than it should have to watch this pilot for a TV series called Oasis, based on The Book of Strange New Things. I’m kind of sorry that it didn’t get elaborated on, although it was already departing sufficiently from the book for me to be worried, if also intrigued and curious to see more. If you’re a fan of The Book of Strange New Things, what are your thoughts on this “strange new” take on its story?... Read more

The Banker

Last updated on: April 25, 2020 at 7:05 am By James F. McGrath

I was delighted to get a chance to see the new movie The Banker prior to its release, and was rather dismayed when I thought that such an important movie was likely to be completely overshadowed and therefore missed due to the pandemic. On the other hand, I told myself that people all over the world have been told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, and so perhaps this movie recommendation will be well timed, given that the movie (as... Read more

Vocation and Interreligious Engagement at #NetVUE2019AAR #AARSBL19 Part 3

Last updated on: April 23, 2020 at 4:52 am By James F. McGrath

Returning after a very long break to my recap of this deeply meaningful event that took place in November 2019 in San Diego. This post covers the first part of Day Two. The day was so rich and full of helpful insights that sharing the notes I took easily fills multiple posts. I hope that sharing them benefits others even though these posts cannot do justice to the experience. The morning began with a session on “Vocation, Interfaith, and Religious... Read more