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What Is Biblical Literacy?
We complain about it, write about it, claim it’s important or even critical, design programs to create it, but what is it? I don’t mean that none of us know what we mean when we say “biblically literate” or “biblically illiterate,” but do we all mean the same thing? I don’t think we do, and…
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Fences: Mending or Rending
The following is a sermon I presented at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pensacola on September 11,2005 and originally posted here on September 13, 2005. I’m reposting it because when I went to look for it, I found that the original post had somehow been truncated, and also because there is a one word at a…
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Experiencing the (Baptism of the) Holy Spirit
This is a topic where I tend to make just about everyone uncomfortable. Long time readers may recall a previous discussion of speaking in tongues, and my own experience of it. Those who expect me to be intellectually oriented and rational are uncomfortable with mystical experiences, and many who are comfortable with the mystical experiences…
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The Difficulty of Appropriate Public Prayer
MSNBC.com reports that there is a bit of a kerfuffle over whether Rick Warren will use the name of Jesus in his prayer at Barack Obama’s inauguration. At the same time we have a group of atheist and humanist groups suing to prevent any prayer at all at this public event. I confess to mixed…
The Imagination Stopper
Carl Zimmer has a post on the Loom that discusses irreducible complexity along with some examples. I found it very interesting how we start with a bicycle as irreducibly complex, a claim of an intelligent design (ID) advocate, and then see how the irreducible is reduced through the magic of Google. There are many ways…
My Favored Translation Method
John Hobbins divided translations into two classes in a recent post. Which do you prefer: (1) a translation that makes sense on its own, without off-site explanation, or (2) a translation that is a head-scratcher until an explanation is given which clears things up, and even then leaves you wondering if you have it right?…
Interpreting the Bible II: Excursus on the Plain Sense
I want to tie up a few loose ends in my first post on this series as well as point out some things on which I will need to comment further. In particular, I read this post by John Hobbins that references a post by Wayne Leman regarding complementarianism and the “plain sense” of scripture….
Interpreting the Bible I: Obvious Exegesis
I’m starting a short (I hope) series on interpreting the Bible. This is in response to a series of posts I read recently. The first two were from EvolutionBlog, OEC vs. YEC and The “Terrible Texts” of the Bible. I then encountered A question for Christians on Positive Liberty, which discusses some poor (in the…
UMC Prejudice or Inertia
I’ve watched with some concern the posts by John the Methodist, and more recent commentary by John Meunier on the same topic. There are things I would like to say, but I’m hampered by a complete lack of knowledge of the particulars. This morning I read Shane Raynor’s report, and he has some rather interesting…
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Rockets and Bombs Hamper Cease Fire!
I’m working on some web stuff and have the TV on at the same time. I saw on the scroller for MSNBC that rockets and mortars are falling on southern Israel “hampering diplomatic efforts to revive a cease fire.” I guess one could say that things that go BOOM! might “hamper diplomatic efforts.” Somehow I…
Academic Freedom and Creationism in SciAm
Glenn Branch and Eugenie Scott have an article in Scientific American titled The Latest Face of Creationism in the Classroom, detailing the latest approach to getting creationism in the classroom. Since I touched on this briefly in two previous posts, I thought I’d link to this longer article so people can get the context. I…
The Arrival of a Creationist Troll
Someone calling himself “island” has arrived to comment on my previous post (Teaching Evolution in Florida). He has descended to calling me a liar for the liberal agenda, which I will gratefully add to my other titles, and gotten there all within one day. Head over to the thread if you wish to talk. As…
Obama Regards Himself as Liberal
Terms like “bipartisan” and even “post-partisan” were employed throughout the campaign and are being used now in criticism of the Obama administration that is taking shape. The problem is that we have gotten used to the notion that bipartisanship involves people from two parties who happen to agree on an issue working together. Thus moderate…
Loving, but not Recommending, the REB
There has been a good deal of talk in the biblioblogosphere about translation theory, and in connection with that support for the REB. In particular, I would note John Hobbins post Why the REB is a Great Translation, and to his earlier posts (not directly on the REB but very relevant to this post), You…
Book: Bobby Flay’s Grill It!
There isn’t a better grillmaster than Bobby Flay. If you like to grill or you would like some tips to better grilling, this is the book! The book begins by discussing grills and tools and condiments. I like Bobby’s simple and realistic recommendations. Then each chapter discusses each item that can be grilled (asparagus, beef,…
Book: Cast of Characters
Cast of Characters is another great book by Max Lucado! This could parallel the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews except that this author did not leave out the little detail that the characters are less than perfect! Rev. Lucado calls Paul, Job, Lazarus, and the Samaritan woman “common people in the hands of…
Book: Salvation in Death
Once again, Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, has hit a homerun with me in this newest installment of the In Death series. I have read the more than 30 previous Eve Dallas stories and I feel that I know the characters of Eve, Roarke, Peabody, Feeney, McNabb, and Somerset and yet Ms. Roberts continues…
Before Complaining about Corporate Taxes
. . . consider this note. Many of these corporations don’t actually pay the rate specified, for the very good reason that there are many special loopholes. This is redistribution, but in which direction and for what purpose? Yet we’re “redistributing” even more via bail-out money. And to those Republicans who will blame this on…
Teaching Evolution in Florida
Brandon Haught of Florida Citizens for Science has started a series of posts on the history of the creation-evolution controversy here in Florida. In the new year I intend to spend a bit more time on Florida issues and even on county issues (Escambia County in northwest Florida), so you can watch for (and possibly…
Dialogue with Those Who Agree
Two blogs I read regularly provided contrasting responses to Barack Obama’s choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. First, Michael L. Westmoreland-White, who speaks from the left, expresses some anger because he sees Warren as someone whose views are opposed to those of many who made Barack Obama’s candidacy possible. As…
Inane Comments in the Orthodox Study Bible
I’ve complained previously about the translation used in the Orthodox Study Bible, but I reserved discussion of the notes for later. Before I complain, however, I want to note that I have found quite a number of comments that I regard as helpful. My study has been enriched by using this Bible. At the same…
Christian Carnival CCLV Posted
. . . at Parableman.
Book Notes: Theology of the Old Testament (Brueggemann)
Brueggemann, Walter. Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997. ISBN: 0-8006-3087-4. As is usual, note that I’m calling this book notes, and to some extent a response, rather than a review. That is more necessary in this case than most because the book is not aimed at a popular audience,…
Two Steps Back, and Proof Texts Too
Via Aristotle’s Feminist Subject, I found the story of the “True Woman” movement. See their manifesto as well. Earlier today, John Hobbins was calling for “respectful dialogue” as the “need of the hour.” I like John Hobbins, and he displays great wisdom. Respectful dialogue is both needed and rarely to be had. Unfortunately, with respect…
Christian Carnival #CCLIV Posted
. . . at Chasing the Wind. Enjoy!
Evidently the Jesus Seminar is too Religious
The Christian Post reports on a new effort to study the historical Jesus, known as the Jesus Project. Since I don’t always trust the objectivity of the Christian Post (or anyone else including myself, for that matter), I looked for additional information. According to both that source (and others): . . . Dr. R. Joseph…