Matthew Malcolm, almost as if sensing how well this would follow on the heels of my earlier meme, has asked what further study you would like to engage in, if you could. It would be pretty dull to simply go back to the list of languages I’d like to learn, although those are obvious and valid answers to the question of what I’d love to study further. Indeed, I hope at some point to find time to sit in on... Read more

This is just a reminder that Evolution Weekend 2011 is approaching rapidly. It is February 11-13, and is an occasion designed to encourage religious congregations to discuss evolution openly and accurately. Read more

“If there were credible scientific evidence against evolution, scientists would be the first to discover it, the first to publish it in peer-reviewed journals, and the first to debate its validity and importance. After all, discovering credible scientific evidence against evolution would be a revolutionary accomplishment, worthy of a Nobel Prize. That’s why accusations from creationists and intelligent design advocates that scientists are conspiring to suppress evidence against evolution are, to put it mildly, silly.” — Steven Newton, “Creationists have... Read more

Here’s an upcoming local event worth highlighting: OSSUARIES AND THE BURIALS OF JESUS AND JAMESThursday, February 17, 2011 Jodi Magness, Ph.D.University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill In November 2002, the existence of a sensational archaeological artifact was announced to the world: a small stone box called an ossuary inscribed with the name of James, the brother of Jesus. And in spring 2007, yet another sensational claim made headlines around the world: the supposed identification of Jesus’ family tomb in Jerusalem’s... Read more

Thanks to John W. Morehead for pointing out a new article by Ted Peters, “The implications of the discovery of extra-terrestrial life for religion,” in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Read more

Having previously started a meme featuring languages that a blogger has learned or tried to learn, I thought I’d pick up on Rod’s suggestion of a new meme – which languages you would like to learn. For me, the list would include at least the following: Korean – because then I could understand what Charlotte said on LOST when they didn’t provide subtitles. Latin – because every academic ought to know Latin (and because of LOST). Swahili – because I have... Read more

Jim Kidder shared a link to a post by Roger Morris explaining in detail why he is not a young-earth creationist.Rev. Daniel Harrell encourages Christians to embrace science.The University of Kentucky has settled with Martin Gaskell.Evolutionary Christianity is up to its second panel. Read more

Alun Salt asks whether Copernicus would have been more persuasive if he had been more accurate. Irtiqa talks about Friedrich Schleiermacher’s tripartite precursor of NOMA. Arni Zachariassen explains why he thinks Jerry Coyne is wrong about accomodationism. Peter Enns looks at the theme of Satan’s jealousy in interpreting Genesis 3 – the fact that some aspects of this line of interpretation are still familiar today is testimony to the long history of non-literal interpretation of the story. Jesus Creed talks... Read more

I know the semester doesn’t begin on the same day for everyone, but to students, faculty and staff at Butler University and other institutions that begin Spring 2011 classes today, I wish you a happy first day of classes! Read more

As several student bloggers have already shared, the Society of Biblical Literature has decided to delay implementation of its new policy regarding paper proposals from non-PhD holders, pending further discussion and review. What follows below is the letter that was sent: Dear Student Member: The Executive Committee of Council met on 12 January 2011 to discuss concerns over the recent policies regarding student participation in the Society’s Annual Meeting. The policies that were announced in November 2010 required all students... Read more