Thanks to Jim Davila and Jim West for pointing out the new article by Geza Vermes presenting the great aspects of the man usually referred to as Herod the Great, and yet whose depiction is usually so one-sidedly negative in both the Jewish and Christian traditions that it is hard to understand how he could have been known as anything other than “Herod the Terrible.”. Read more

Today on blogs I read two reflections were offered on the meaning of Christmas from non-conservative Christian viewpoints. One is on the blog Settling for Butterflies and is a sermon by a United Methodist pastor who is also a graduate of Butler University. The other is on the blog The Piety That Lies Between, by Eric Reitan. Both ask what the meaning of the story of Christmas might be to people who read it today aware of the possibility that it... Read more

Justin Mihoc offers a report on a seminar paper presented by Judith Lieu at Durham University on the subject of “Heresy and Scripture.” Read more

James Bradley, emeritus professor of mathematics at Calvin College, has begun a series at BioLogos explaining fatal flaws with William Dembski’s “design inference.” Read more

Hemant Mehta is rightly troubled by a letter to the editor published in the Chicago Tribune. Here’s the text of the letter: Eighteen months after graduating from a public high school, I had a chance encounter with Mr. Clark, my old guidance counselor. In what might have been a fishing expedition, he asked me who my most influential teacher was. “Mr. Eitmueller,” I replied. He then asked if it had anything to do with Christianity. It did. I was a... Read more

Two reviews/reflections on the Doctor Who Christmas Special, “A Christmas Carol”, have appeared on blogs that I read regularly: Clayboy and IO9. Both agree on an important point – there is an inherent implausibility about many aspects of the story, yet the story works on an emotional level. It is a fairy tale, and as such needs to be approached differently than other genres. I wonder how many stories – from the Bible to the ending of LOST – could... Read more

I am delighted that Nick Norelli has posted a detailed review of my book, The Only True God, on his blog Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth. I have only just begun reading it, and can see already from its length (and the fact that it has 37 footnotes!) that it is very detailed. I may at some point try to respond or comment on points made in the review, but for now, I just want to share the link,... Read more

MERRY CHRISTMAS!* * This wish for you to have a Merry Christmas is offered in accordance with the articles of Christmas previously posted. Read more

A mother and son duet from tonight’s Christmas Eve service: Read more