#CFP Indiana Jones and Philosophy

Last updated on: October 19, 2019 at 4:44 pm By James F. McGrath

Indiana Jones and Philosophy: Call for Abstracts Lots of explicit mentions of religion in this call for proposals of chapters… Call for Abstracts Indiana Jones and Philosophy Edited by Dean A. Kowalski The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series Please circulate and post widely. Apologies for cross posting. To propose ideas for future volumes in the Blackwell series please contact the Series Editor, William Irwin, at [email protected] Abstracts and subsequent essays should be philosophically substantial but accessible, written to engage the intelligent lay... Read more

Was Luke an Encratite?

Last updated on: October 20, 2019 at 8:33 pm By James F. McGrath

I’ve been meaning to blog about this topic since Paul Davidson wrote his post back in 2016 asking whether Luke’s Gospel reflects an encratite perspective, i.e. one that views sexuality of any sort, even within marriage, as negative and to be given up. Read his post and see what you think of his arguments based on Lukan redaction and wording: Luke’s Surprising and Oft-Ignored Views on Marriage and Resurrection I’m not sure whether or not he’s right about this. But recently... Read more

Are They (or You) a Crank?

Last updated on: October 19, 2019 at 10:56 am By James F. McGrath

Matthew Collins adapted something from the realm of math for application to biblical studies and religion. He shared it on Facebook, and I asked for permission to circulate it. I adapted it slightly more to fit its new application better, but the vast majority of it is his and/or his source’s. Are they a crank? Use this scoring system to find out: (NB: This is stolen from mathematics and slightly edited, but I think it works for bible/religion too.) 1... Read more

Mandaean Book of John at #AARSBL19 in San Diego

Last updated on: October 27, 2019 at 7:14 am By James F. McGrath

It is exciting to be able to share that the Mandaean Book of John: Critical Edition, Translation, and Commentary will be available in San Diego at the AAR and SBL Annual Meetings in November. There will be a review panel about the book. Here are the details: S25-139 Mysticism, Esotericism, and Gnosticism in Antiquity 11/25/2019 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Room: Sapphire 400B (Fourth Level) – Hilton Bayfront Theme: Esoteric Religious Groups in Antiquity Joint session with the AAR Traditions of Eastern... Read more

Restorations and Requiems at Spirit and Place 2019

Last updated on: October 25, 2019 at 1:06 pm By James F. McGrath

For some time I have been included as a participant at this year’s Spirit and Place Festival in Indianapolis. I will be part of a panel slated to talk about music and grief, in connection with a performance of John Rutter’s beautiful Requiem. At the time I got involved, I obviously didn’t anticipate that my father would die on October 18th, not long before this event. My thoughts on this topic have quickly been transformed from abstract thoughts about the... Read more

Gamification and Esports at Butler University

Last updated on: October 25, 2019 at 7:15 am By James F. McGrath

I am delighted that news has broken about some intiatives that I’ve been involved with at Butler University. We have new Esports and gaming space in the works for next year, but something even bigger planned for the not too distant future. I dare to imagine that a suggestion that I made to our vice president for strategy and innovation Melissa Beckwith, to the effect that they’d be better putting a game store on the lower level of the parking garage... Read more

Paul APB 5

Last updated on: October 23, 2019 at 6:52 pm By James F. McGrath

In today’s video clip from Apostle Paul: A Polite Bribe, Rob Orlando suggests that Paul went to Jerusalem for the last time much as Jesus did, knowing that this could and likely would lead to his death. I think that this kind of vocation of martyr is so rare in our time that it can be hard for historians and scholars to know what to do with it. Does a filmmaker’s storytelling help you make sense of it, and get... Read more

ReligionProf Podcast with Rob Orlando (and The Divine Plan Q&A at Butler University)

Last updated on: October 22, 2019 at 10:34 am By James F. McGrath

The latest episode of the ReligionProf podcast features Rob Orlando. He and I didn’t manage to record the episode literally face to face while he was on campus during his visit to Indianapolis. But we did record it while he was in town, if via Zoom from a remote location. And so, as a special treat for blog readers, here is a video of the recording which is available in slightly edited form as an audio podcast above: I’ve got... Read more

Revelation around the Blogosphere

Last updated on: October 20, 2019 at 8:34 pm By James F. McGrath

Here is a collection of things related to the Book of Revelation and apocalypses (ancient and modern) that I’ve found interesting. Let me start with an image: Now for some links, starting with these from Bart Ehrman: https://ehrmanblog.org/secular-versions-of-the-coming-apocalypse/ https://ehrmanblog.org/revelation-as-a-blueprint-for-our-future/ https://cruxsolablog.com/2019/09/13/reading-revelation-in-context-quick-look-gupta/ Revelation, Lake of Fire, Judgement of Metaphor Let anyone with understanding calculate the number The Secret To Understanding Revelation This may be the best name I’ve come across for a book about Revelation (and Genesis): Living Between Two Trees https://academic.logos.com/what-is-empire-criticism/... Read more

The Future of Gen Ed: Recap, Part 3

Last updated on: October 13, 2019 at 7:30 am By James F. McGrath

Here is part 3 of my recap. Let me start with a few news items that relate to the liberal arts and other such matters connected with general education and core curriculum. First, in “Explaining the Value of the Liberal Arts,” AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella (who also spoke at the day workshop in Washington, DC) says: Our nation’s historic mission was one of educating for democracy, and we now have an increasing economic—and therefore, racial—segregation in higher education and in our... Read more

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book tells the story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.