Until the May edition of the Biblical Studies Carnival goes live on the First of the month. If you’ve seen something interesting in April, do let me know either via email or in comments below. If you don’t, you leave me to my own devices. None of us wants that, do we?
‘Die Sache der Theologie ist der Deus iustificans hominem peccatorem.’ — Gerhard Ebeling. In case you’re wondering about this recent spate of Ebeling quotes, I’m re-reading his Theologie und Verkündigung: Ein Gespräch mit Rudolf Bultmann. It would not be possible to recommend this little book too highly.
It’s absurd, absurd I tell you, to suggest that there is something inappropriate, harmful, or a violation of the separation clause of the Constitution for a teacher to have a Bible on his desk. Much more offensive than a book are the photographs that lots of educators have on their desks. Further, I suppose what lots have on their computer desktops (and on their hard drives) are probably much worse!
According to news reports, Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater has refused a superintendent’s order to remove a Bible from his classroom desk. Freshwater, in a prepared statement, said that he believes Superintendent Stephen Short’s directive is an “infringement on my deeply held religious beliefs.” … According to the Associated Press, some students at the school brought Bibles on Friday to show support for Freshwater. The Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education stated that the district has “an obligation under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to protect against the establishment of religion in the schools.” The board president said Freshwater may keep it in his classroom but not on his desk.
What madness. Purely.
Yesterday, that is, to the Knoxville Rossini Fest. I’d post some photos but I forgot to take my camera! There was plenty to see, plenty to eat, lots to buy, and fantastic music. I mention it only because if you are ever in Knoxville while it’s happening you should most definitely take part. It’s one of the best outdoor festivals I’ve attended anywhere.
Theologie ohne Verkündigung ist leer und Verkündigung ohne Theologie ist blind. … Von Gott kann man nicht distanziert, objektive, neutral reden. Tut man doch, so redet man faktisch nicht von Gott. — Gerhard Ebeling
Everyone who has picked up an academic tome, or any book really, has probably noticed that very often someone quite well known is asked to write a preface to it. You know, some superstar writes the preface and the book gains legitimacy or sale-ability. It’s not a new practice. It’s been going on as long as there have been books.
In 1524, on the 20th of April, Zwingli wrote the Preface to a little book by his friend Hans Füßli titled ‘Antwurt eines Schwytzer Purens‘. This book was a rousing denunciation of an earlier little book by a fellow named Rennbold Mußler who had offered some really bizarre (and stupid) suggestions about the meaning of the Bible. Füßli suggested that anyone who read it would have to be a fool not to laugh, and it so annoyed him that he felt compelled to respond, for the good of the community (Strassburg).
Zwingli’s preface to Füßli’s rejoinder was a simple encouragement to listen to him and thereby read the clear truth in contrast to Mußler’s falsehoods.
Today marks the anniversary of Philip Davies‘ birth. So, publicly, I want to wish him the happiest of birthday’s along with the hope that he enjoys many, many returns of the day. Here are some photos I snapped of him while at the 2008 Winter Meeting of SOTS at the University of Chester.
Oddly enough, in each of these he is on the left… 
In the first photo that’s John Day with him, checking out books for review. In the second Matthew Coomber and Hugh Pyper. And in the third John Barton and Jack Jarick.
