Now that I have finished at least a still provisional but nevertheless complete translation of the chapters in the “Drasha d-Yahia” (which itself might be better rendered The Teaching of John rather than The Book of John) about the life and teaching of John the Baptist, I wanted to share links to them here. 18. Portents of the Birth of John the Baptist 19. A Garment from the First Life 20. John Discusses Halos with the Sun 21. No One Compares to... Read more
Another symphony from my favorite composer, Kurt Atterberg, has been shared on YouTube. If you are inclined to let the title guide you as the music evokes images in your mind, keep in mind that Atterberg was Swedish, and so the West Coast in the title is that of Sweden and not the United States. Of course, those who know either or both west coasts better than I do may have an opinion about whether the music fits either better... Read more
Two humorous images that appeared on other blogs this morning provide helpful fodder for thinking about theology. The first, from David Hayward, reminds us that the only legitimate use for theological language is as a pointer towards a transcendent reality. The more weight you give to the actual words, understood not as sacraments or symbols or poetry but as literally descriptive, the more those words will function as a ball and chain, pulling you down rather than lifting you up.... Read more
A piece of news has been getting attention today, about a study of classic myths, some of which we know from archaeological evidence were based on real people or events. The study suggests that the degree to which the relationships in the story mirror real ones – including those one can observe today in social media like Facebook and Twitter – corresponds to the degree of real evidence for the myths being based on historical people. Should this be applied... Read more
There will be a live discussion here at Patheos from 2-3pm Eastern Time, with Tim Stafford, about his book Miracles: A Journalist Looks at Modern Day Experiences of God’s Power. I reviewed the book on my blog a few days ago. Click through to join the discussion! Read more
It is hard to get a sense of what the prophets of ancient Israel might have sounded like or seemed like when delivering their messages. Scholars often make comparisons to poets. The above video seems to me to catch something of their spirit in an actual live poetic performance in the present day – the anger, the condemnation of hypocrisy, the poetic form. What do you think? HT Hemant Mehta Read more
I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in the Patheos Book Club discussion of Os Guinness’ book A Free People’s Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2012). The book raises many important issues, and a vibrant challenge to Americans to not allow our republic to go the way of Rome’s. Whether and to what extent the book offers the necessary solutions to the issues it highlights, answers to the questions it... Read more
The folks in the Facebook group “Christians Against the Tea Party” have made a quote from a recent blog post of mine into a poster once again. I am not used to this! Read more
Someone made the above quote from then senator Barack Obama into a poster. It illustrates what those who are intimately acquainted with the Bible and its interpretation see clearly, but religious fundamentalists less familiar with their own Scriptures often miss, namely that it is not at all straightforward to derive a clear set of beliefs and practices from the diverse and divergent writings that make up the Bible. As a result, even when people agree on what Scripture is,... Read more
I often discuss the unenforceability of the tenth commandment (comparing it to the signs one used to see around New York, which say “Don’t even THINK of parking here.” Now, via Joel Watts, I have this cartoon to offer as an illustration. Read more
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