Been wanting to post on this book for over a week now, but other work has interfered. That said, this book is absolutely a must-read for those interested in the historical Jesus and is one of the better scholarly monographs I’ve read. As my primary research has focused on Paul’s concern with the restoration... »

Not many get to be (or want to be) a biblical scholar, but lots of people want to read and understand the Bible well. What must one do to become a good Bible reader? J. R. Daniel Kirk gives exactly the answer that I have made into a mantra the last few years: Learn... »

Biblical Archaeology Review has continued their recent assault on the (nearly airtight) case that the “Secret Gospel of Mark” which Morton Smith “discovered” in the Mar Saba monastery is a clever hoax. This time, they’ve hired a handwriting expert to analyze Smith’s handwriting and the handwriting of the letter of Clement in which the... »

Thought this quote from Sandmel (from his famous “Parallelomania”) was worth looking at again: Two hundred years ago Christians and Jews and Roman Catholics and Protestants seldom read each other’s books, and almost never met together to exchange views and opinions on academic matters related to religious documents. Even a hundred years ago such... »

James McGrath has posted a collection of helpful links on what the Bible has to say about homosexuality, including articles from both sides. It’s worth bookmarking for future discussions. I would add the following to the list: Gary R. Jepsen, “Arsenokoites and Malakos: Meanings and Consequences,” Currents in Theology and Mission (2006) Unfortunately, the... »

An old song randomly came up on my iPhone the other day that brought my attention to an extremely common mistake, one I have heard repeated even by those who should know better: the idea of a “dowry” as a price paid by the bridegroom (groom/husband to be) in order to acquire his wife.... »