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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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Inspired (or not so much inspired) Interpretations
Tony Breeden has taken Joel Watts to task over his understanding of Genesis and origins. As if frequently the case with such discussions, Breeden has mistaken his own interpretation for “what the Bible actually says.” It’s “disagree with me, deny the Bible.” Joel responds rather well, I think, using some excellent scriptures. I suggest that…
Michael Patton on the Best Bible Version
I’m glad to see this, though I do disagree with a few points. First, I don’t agree that using a formal equivalence translation means you are closer to the original. You are closer in some ways–reflecting the words and structure of the original language–yet you are often further in other ways, including reflecting the thought….
Ash Wednesday 1A – Psalm 51
I wrote a blog post some time back with an outline I made from Psalm 51, along with links to a pamphlet that discusses repentance.
Ash Wednesday 1A – 2 Corinthians 5:21
The whole passage (2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10) is great, but I’m just going to link to a few notes I’ve written on the key verse in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Wright and Piper on 2 Corinthians 5:21 English and Greek Ambiguity – 2 Corinthians 5:21 Becoming Righteous and Becoming Rich Righteousness of God Redux The way you…
Lent 1A: Psalm 32 and Repentance
This is just a very short note with a link. I’d like to tie the repentance described in Psalm 32 to Leviticus 6 (5 in Hebrew). I wrote about that previously on my Participatory Bible Study Blog. This passage describes the priestly doctrine of repentance.
So Wrong Divine Intervention is Required
In my recent reading from the book of Job I came across the following from Zophar. I’ll quote just a bit: “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? For you…
I Get Latin Books
A member of my Sunday School class gave me a Latin grammar and dictionary. Is this a sign from God that I should revive my Latin?
Populating Hell
… is not really my business. I recall one of my college professors who said that it was very liberating for him when he realized that it was not his responsibility to figure out who was going to be saved and who wasn’t. That’s basically my position. I tend to apply 1 Corinthians 2:9 (eye…
Motorists Detained for Paying Toll with Large Bills
… like $20, according to this story. Now the story brings up interesting issues of profiling, and whether toll station workers were legally permitted to detain anyone. I think those are good questions. The Florida DOT’s coverup should also be investigated. But here’s something that got me: Although FDOT refused to comment because the Department…
When Will Teachers Sacrifice like Wall Street Execs?
A very funny clip from The Daily Show: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Crisis in Dairyland – For Richer and Poorer – Teachers and Wall Street www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook I would normally have a serious problem…
Lent 1A – Theme
Well, I’m back again on one of my irregular forays into lectionary blogging. I hope visitors in the meantime have found value in the links to other people’s lectionary blogging found in my sidebar. It’s not hard to find a theme in this week’s lectionary texts, nor to imagine why those are the texts for…
Do You Need Biblical Languages to Understand the Bible?
Rod Decker presents a quote in which a famous person suggests you do. Well, sort of. Really he seems to be suggesting that it’s much, much better if you understand the biblical languages. I’ll let you go read the original post to get the quote and find out who wrote it. I’ve written on this…
My Personality Type
I don’t actually get personal on this blog all that often, but what is more personal than a personality type? In any case, you can blame it all on that mastermind Joel, who published his type (INTJ), thus causing me to fall into temptation, and try to remember mine. I didn’t remember it until I…
Group Lists Donors to Others
… but not its own. Be sure to follow the links.
Voter Ignorance
A Kaiser poll (pdf) finds that 22% of respondents believe the health care reform bill has been repealed, and another 26% don’t know. (HT: Dispatches and The Daily Dish) Now I realize that the majority in the poll do realize, correctly, that the health care bill is still law. But consider that even the…
On a Virtual Seminary Education
Jason Byassee explains why he voted to allow up to 2/3 of seminary credits to be taken online in his United Methodist conference (HT: Joel Watts). Readers of this blog will already be aware that I believe it’s inevitable that the majority of education is delivered by virtual means. Not only that, I think this…
Proper and Rightful Role for Iowa Caucuses?
According to CNN, Iowa Republican Chairman Matt Strawn commented on those states that are trying to move their primaries earlier in the process: “I don’t think its any secret that Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina have historically worked together, and we are in communication, and we will do what is necessary to maintain our proper…
February Biblical Studies Carnival Posted
… at A Fistful of Farthings. It’s definitely a comprehensive one!
New Biblioblog: The Good Book
A group of 30 professors at the Talbot School of Theology have created a new blog, The Good Book Blog. Their about page describes it this way: The Good Book Blog is the faculty blog of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Representing the diverse areas of specialty within the seminary, but bound by…
Dave Black on Philippians
Matt Capps has collected links to Dave Black’s online writings on Philippians. As one of Dave’s publishers, I’m glad to see the list.
Biblioblog Top 50 for February
… posted. I’ve climbed to #20.
Note: Naked Heat
I read this book, and the previous Nikki Heat volume, Heat Wave, because I found the concept of a book by a ghost writer, writing for a fictional author interesting. (OK, that sentence is too convoluted, but I’m not going to fix it.) I find the ABC show Castle entertaining in a non-intellectual sort of…
Note: The Hittite
I picked up this book because of the obvious historical connection. I found it a fairly interesting read if one didn’t expect excessive historical background. It’s build around the siege of Troy and provides an interesting idea for the famed “Trojan Horse.” The jacket description is a bit wild (it mentions bringing down the walls…
Two Science Links – Yellowstone Caldera and Ants
What do they have to do with one another? Actually, nothing, other than that both are about science and I thought they were interesting. I haven’t written anything on science for awhile and these stories were there! The first addresses concerns about the Yellowstone Caldera and whether it’s likely to erupt. The conclusion? It’s unlikely…