Folk who like Greek, like the Old Testament in Greek, and like the New Testament in Greek, might like this. But do be warned- there’s LOTS there.
Ben Myers isn’t the only soul reviewing the electronic edition of Barth’s Dogmatics. There’s a pretty good one over here at the Acton Institute blog. As an aside, I hadn’t known, before reading it, that Karl Barth’s works were on the black list of the Prison Bureau. For a while anyway. I guess too much talk of freedom, even if it’s in Christ, is worrisome to prison wardens. Read the whole review, I think you’ll enjoy it.
Politically and morally the Pope is right on target. Academically, not so much. Today he remarked while at Catholic University-
“I wish to reaffirm the great value of academic freedom,” Benedict told hundreds of educators gathered at Catholic University of America. “Yet it is also the case that any appeal to the principle of academic freedom in order to justify positions that contradict the faith and the teaching of the church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission,” he said.
I don’t think theologians or Biblical scholars ‘justify positions that contradict the faith’ when they teach contrary to dogma. Rather, they offer their students (if they are good at their job), alternative viewpoints. That’s what education is about. If alternatives aren’t available you soon discover folk living in a compound, their women, Stepford Wife like, talking the same and dressing the same and acting the same. That’s not education, it’s indoctrination. The good pontiff is off the mark this time.
And when he remarked
“Teachers and administrators, whether in universities or schools, have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice,” Benedict said. “Divergence from this vision weakens Catholic identity and, far from advancing freedom, inevitably leads to confusion, whether moral, intellectual or spiritual.”
The word ‘ensure’ is troublesome, given his participation in the Holy Inquisition (I know it’s not called that any more- but that’s what it is). And differing viewpoints don’t weaken anything- they strengthen. What weakens is inbreeding, whether it be biologically or academically.
As always, of course, you can count on Notre Dame for a reasoned response to the Pope’s remarks:
The Rev. John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, said he appreciated the pope’s message that Catholic educators “shouldn’t make any untruth appealing or attractive.” He said Catholic colleges and universities already do that by distinguishing between “providing a forum where various views can be expressed, and promoting them.”
Quite right John Jenkins for Pontiff! He’s got my smoky vote.
Exhibit 1. He can’t believe it’s a silly question else he wouldn’t bother addressing it. Only children address silly questions. Adults ignore them. Further, when he names the names of respondents to the question he belies himself the notion that it’s silly or he simultaneously accuses them of silliness as well- for bothering with it. Further still, the ’scientist’ he cites also must then be silly because he too addresses the question. So it’s not really a question of silliness so much as it’s another opportunity for him to be on parade.
I’m sad to report that I’ve received word that David Noel Freedman died yesterday, April 8. Details when they become available. He was a giant in the field and will be sorely, sorely missed. [Originally posted April 9]
May he rest in peace.
UPDATE: Liz Fried posted the following on the ANE-2 List from a friend of the family-
David Noel Freedman — May 12, 1922 – April 8, 2008 — It is with deep sadness that we send word of the unexpected death of David Noel Freedman, eminent biblical scholar and wise sage. He will be greatly missed by us and by many of you. We will plan a memorial celebration in San Diego at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations for a scholarship fund in his name to the SBL. Condolences may be sent to the family at 39 Meadow Glen, Petaluma, CA 94952.
UPDATE II: Journal Chretien has the first obituary (albeit brief).
UPDATE III: Jim Davila has a neat photo of Dr. Freedman from a meeting of the SBL and offers a brief remembrance that’s worth a look indeed.
UPDATE IV: The Los Angeles Times has an obituary this afternoon.
Apologies are for sissies and people who value collegiality and cordiality. Hence it is quite improper, and grossly so, for Steven Harris, former theological student and impending officer of the court, to apologize to the likes of Chris Tilling for telling the truth about N.T. Wright.
But, if you can imagine and fathom it, even worse is Tilling’s acceptance of this toady-fied, sissified, wretched and stomach turning error of judgement and lack of sense.
Both these Brits are wrong. It’s wrong to apologize for telling the truth about the Bishop (politician) of Durham. Oh so wrong. Wrooooonnngggg.
Repent, the two of you. Or the sledge of Heaven will descend on your peaceful heads and rend them open like a melon on the Fourth of July or a strained polyester pantsuit after a gluttonous foray into overindulgence.
And you can check out the details here. With thanks to Mike Bird (our beloved biblioblogging leprechaun) for mentioning it first.
The Baptist History and Heritage Society is pleased to announce its 2008 award recipients. Awards will be presented on May 22-23 during the Society’s annual meeting at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia.
EDWIN S. GAUSTAD, professor of history and religious studies emeritus at the University of California at Riverside, where he began teaching in 1965, will receive the The W. O. Carver Distinguished Service Award. This career award is the Society’s highest award. Gaustad’s contributions to the Society are numerous: longtime member, financial supporter, contributor to the Society’s journal, Baptist History and Heritage, and role model for assessing Baptist history with excellence. Gaustad is an expert in the Baptist life of Colonial America, author/editor of numerous key books across six decades, and a major advocate for religious liberty and church-state separation. A highly-gifted historian of the American Baptist Churches, USA, he resides in retirement in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
PAMELA A. SMOOT, assistant professor of Black American Studies and director of Educational Enhancement for Minority Students at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, will receive The Norman W. Cox Award for the Best Article Published by the Society in 2007. Titled “African American Baptist Women: Making a Way Out of No Way,” her article appeared in the Summer/Fall 2007 issue of the Society’s journal, Baptist History and Heritage.
THE CENTER FOR BAPTIST STUDIES OF MERCER UNIVERSITY in Macon, Georgia, will receive The Davis C. Woolley Award for Outstanding Achievement in Assessing and Preserving Baptist History. Bruce Gourley serves as interim director of the Center, whose founding director was Walter B. Shurden. This Center has achieved excellence in presenting Baptist history to the Baptist public.
BILL UNDERWOOD, president of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and RICHARD V. SWINDLE, senior vice president of Mercer University’s Atlanta campus, will each receive The Carolyn Blevins Meritorious Service Award. Underwood led Mercer to provide the Society with complimentary office space in the years 2007-2017, and Swindle assisted the Society in moving to Mercer’s Atlanta campus and in renovating the Society’s office suite.
DEBORAH VAN BROEKHOVEN, executive director of the American Baptist Historical Society, will receive The Officers Award, including a life membership in the Society. The Baptist History and Heritage Society affirms her leadership in moving the American Baptist Historical Society to Atlanta.
PREACHING AWARDS. The Society, in cooperation with the H. Franklin Paschall Chair of Biblical Studies and Preaching of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, also announces the 2008 recipients of the annual Baptist Heritage Preaching Contest. The first-place winner is Courtney Krueger, pastor, First Baptist Church, Pendleton, South Carolina. The second-place winner is Rick McClatchy, coordinator, CBF of Texas, San Antonio, Texas. The third-place winner is Steve Hollaway, pastor, Latonia Baptist Church, Covington, Kentucky.
You are cordially invited to attend the Society’s annual meeting on May 22-24, 2008. You will find information about meeting registration and hotel reservation on the Society’s website: www.baptisthistory.org. Or you can contact Pam Durso at pamdurso@baptisthistory.org or at 770-457-5540.
If you’re a Church History buff you already probably know about this- but Schaff’s History is available online in toto here. Schaff was a fascinating guy who was really gifted as an editor, writer, and translator. What you might not know is that he was expelled from boarding school because he was caught doing what all teenage boys do in the privacy of their cot at night. He recovered from this shame and went on to do good, and not evil. 
In commemoration of the trial of Martin Luther as he stood before the Diet (pronounced ‘deet’) which met at the city of Worms (pronounced ‘Vorms’)(and I make those pronunciation points because a kid once said to me- ‘did Luther eat worms, cuz I heard he went on a diet of worms’, which saying did truly and verily make me wince at his home schooling) I draw to your attention section 55 of Schaff’s History (scroll down to it).
By the way, very few Luther scholars these days think he really said “Here I stand- God Help me”.
Have a happy Luther’s Trial Day. Find a heretic of your own to condemn in the spirit of the observance. And if you can’t think of one, check out D.T.’s list. One and all there are worthy candidates for condemnation.
Has hit the stage at Stanford- and you can watch the video if you are so inclined, because of the good graces of our Italian friend Antonio Lombatti- buster of silly myths and foe of all shroudish silliness.
As the New York Times reports the Pope – in his address to the Bishops – as saying
“Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs?” he asked in a lengthy address to the bishops. “Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?” “Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted,” he said.
Yes, yes, and yes! I like this Pope! It almost makes me wish Luther’s trial (which was undertaken this day) had turned out differently and he had been appointed a Cardinal to work to reform the Church from within rather than from outside.
About the war in Iraq. And, if I may be blunt, the Pope better represents the proper theological attitude towards it than the President and his sycophants.
