As of this time, the public lecture by Chris Keith planned for tomorrow evening at Butler University is expected to take place as scheduled. Could Jesus Read or Write? Literacy and the Historical JesusA public lecture by Dr. Chris KeithAssistant Professor of New Testament and Christian OriginsLincoln Christian University, Lincoln, Illinois February 3rd, 20116pmGallahue Hall room 108 Chris Keith (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is Assistant Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Lincoln Christian University. His first book, The Pericope... Read more

Does mythicism have any constraints? Mainstream historiography, at least ideally, tries to allow extant historical sources, sifted through and evaluated as to their reliability, to constrain its conclusions. Often the evidence will underdetermine the conclusion, so that more than one conclusion may be compatible with the evidence. But some “conclusions” (if we can call them that, since in general they are determined in advance) will still be incompatible with the evidence, and historians will rightly reject such options. What constraints,... Read more

I and several colleagues who are trying to use technology in creative ways in the service of pedagogy have been featured in an article in the latest Butler University alumni magazine. Read more

Indianapolis is covered in ice and it is snowing. Who can save us, or at least give us hope for the near future? Perhaps one of these guys… Read more

An assignment for my first year seminar course asked students to research the social and economic background and context of ancient Israel’s prophets (they read Amos and Micah as part of the course’s assigned readings). I always like to check and see how easy or difficult it is to find useful materials. Below are some sources I found on Google Books which can be previewed and read there at least in part and which contain relevant information. Hebrew Life and... Read more

Jim Linville shares information about a conference which sounds interesting: Urban Dreams and Realities:An Interdisciplinary Conference on the City in Ancient Cultures 21-23 October 2011, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Read more

Jim West is hosting the latest Biblical Studies Carnival.St. Andrews will be holding its first graduate conference in Biblical and Early Christian Studies in June, on the theme “Authoritative Texts and Reception History“.Scott at Don’t Take My Word has two posts about the ending of Mark’s Gospel – a subject about which I have a piece forthcoming in The Bible and Interpretation soon.Also of interest, Brad Matthies links to a Butler University student’s thesis on social networking.Last but not least, Troy Britain... Read more

Joel Watts is holding a giveaway. The rules are not only simple but brilliant and inspired! The prize is a copy of my book The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context. Good luck! Read more

Adam Kotsko offers a repost of the most original explanation ever as to why Jesus hasn’t come back yet. Religion Nerd has a post on the increasingly widespread phenomenon of imprecatory prayers. Joel Watts asks if the Taliban is more Biblical than supposed Biblical literalists among Christians. Scot McKnight shares an encouraging Facebook update from Egypt. Steven Douglas shares a quote from George MacDonald about penal substitution. Via John Byron, a video of our mutual friend Loren Stuckenbruck talking about... Read more

The Biblioblog Top 10 (by vote) and Top 50 (by Alexa ranking and NT Wrong-approved) for this past month have been posted. Thank you to everyone who voted for me – I came in first again this month. And since I have already been caricatured last month, you can click through and see this month’s caricature of Bob Cargill. Read more