What Devilry Is This?

Why do I look like a cross between Osama bin laden and Fred Sanford in Tim Bulkeley’s avatar generator?  And why does Chris Heard look like Mr Clean?  And why the devil does Tyler Williams look like Frankenstein???  And poor Judy- she looks like a dude!  And worst of all, poor Tim is deluded into suggesting that his own image is ‘acceptable’?  Tim, pal, you resemble Mrs Butterworth.

I don’t know what depraved mind came up with that avatar generator, but it’s pure devilry.  Especially when you type in Chris Tilling…  He’s some sort of three eyed creature.

But, truly, how reliable can the thing be when this is the result of my formal first name:

I don’t even know what that’s supposed to be.  Oh Tim… you’re such a rake.

Whatever Your Politics, You Should Pray For Obama’s Family

His grandmother has died.  This is really, to me, a tragedy not simply because someone’s grandma has passed away- which is always sad – but on the eve of her grandson’s election as the first Black President it takes on a special poignancy.  She lived to the cusp but never was allowed to enter the promised land of her grandson’s ultimate success.

Pray for Obama’s family.  Their joy at his election will be sorely tempered by this sad news.

Jesus in an Age of Terror: The Review

I’ve heard the good news today that I’ll receive an advance copy of Crossley’s book – so when I do, the review will be right here and the time stamp and post date will be adjusted accordingly.  I’m very excited about seeing what James has done since the first draft.  In particular, I have to confess one little request I made of him- and I’m interested to see if he did it.

More anon…

The Guild is Growing!

And it’s gaining a number of impressive new members.  According to Antonio Lombatti (is he NT Wrong???), Joe Zias and Mark Smith have been inducted into the Guild.  This is big news.  Thanks, Antonio, for pointing it out.  As you say, ‘fantastische’.  But that photo of Zias… he looks so somber!  He’s usually smiling!!!!!  He, like me, is a dreadfully happy and carefree soul.

Bibliobloggers Presenting At the SBL

Doug Mangum has compiled quite a mighty nice fine list.

Don’t Cry For Phil Fulmer…

Even though he’s now without a job, he still has enough money to live quite comfortably for the rest of his life.  Ya see, that’s the thing about big time college sports.  Coaches are paid more than Scholars and jocks are more respected and revered than people who actually contribute to the betterment of soceity.  At Tennessee, all University life rotates around the Vols Football program.  So while over 100,000 people sat in the stadium each week worshiping the team, the High Priest was faltering.  And because he (and of course it’s his fault and not his hack players) couldn’t deliver a winning season or a ring for the fingers of the ball tossers, Phil’s gone.

But don’t cry for Phil.  He’ll be ok.  The ones you have to worry about are the sad and lonely souls who will now occupy their lives with lamenting the Vols losses.

The Reputation of the IAA Isn’t in Shambles

The reputations of BAR and BAS and those who have hitched their wagons to them are.  That’s why Shanks is trying so hard to redeem the ‘James Ossuary’s’ authenticity.

Where’d that come from?  From the outrageous ‘press release‘ that just came across the news feed in which BAR’s editor once more promotes himself and his pro-ossuary agenda.  Shanks is still asserting that the trial is about to collapse, based on the San Francisco Chronicle story mentioned last week.

The amusing thing about this press release is the final paragraph:

To arrange for an interview with BAR editor Hershel Shanks, please contact Sarah Yeomans. Contact information for other sources, including script experts Andre Lemaire of the Sorbonne and Ada Yardeni of Hebrew University, are also available.

Lemaire has a vested interest in the artifact’s ‘authenticity’ since he was the original ‘authenticator’- and Yardeni has said it’s bunk.

The only ones who still assert that the inscription is genuine are Jack Kilmon, and those who have a financial interest in it.  Badgering on the stand by Golan’s defense lawyers of epigraphers and other experts proves only that Golan has good lawyers, not that the experts are wrong.  Lawyers are adept at twisting the truth.  That’s why they often become politicians.

Anyway, Shanks may demonize the IAA- but I trust them more than I trust BAR.

Judaism and Hellenism: The Encounter

Thanks to Bible and Interpretation for pointing out this interesting essay in the American Chronicle.  It’s a long, long essay.  But worth it. If, that is, you can overlook the fact that the author has drawn on quite dated sources.

The Gezer Calendar Mug: Reviewed

The awesome folk at Eisenbrauns have sent along a Gezer Calendar Mug for me to review.  I’ll start right off with a couple of photos I snapped of the artifact after it arrived, was taken from the box, and washed.

Verso

Recto

Easily noticed is the clarity of the text and it’s interpretation.  Also clear is the fine deep blue coloring which is contrasted with the white of the inscription.

The wash test of the artifact was a success- as the images suffered no diminishment.  The handle is large enough to get 4 normal sized fingers through (though only 3 fingers of a very large person would fit comfortably).  The balance of the artifact is excellent and when sipping one’s decaf coffee or herbal tea (so I drink a lot… sue me) the sensation is one of weightlessness.

The artifact is not so thick as to make lip drippage expected and not so thin that one gets a paper cut from the edge.

As to the packing itself, the artifact was wrapped in a nice (but not burdensome) layer of bubble wrap and then safely ensconced in even more protective layering.  Unlike a certain mug I received from a certain University in the United Kingdom that was simply stuffed in an enveloped, arriving in so many pieces a team of restorers from the Metropolitan Museum had to be called in to reassemble it (and I’m not naming any names.  The culprit knows who he is…).

All in all, I give this two thumbs up.  Well done, Eisenbrauns!  If you’re up to Boston pick one up.  Now, back to my mint tea.

Ulrich Wilckens Rocks! UW For President!!!!

Here’s why:

Scharfe Kritik an einer Stellungnahme der hessen-nassauischen Kirche zur Kreuzestheologie hat der nordelbische Altbischof und Neutestamentler Prof. Ulrich Wilckens (Lübeck) geübt.

The good Bishop is kicking posteriors and taking names, and I say, good for him! A man of intelligence and conscience. UW for President (since none of our own candidates have both).

Seeking A Roomie For Boston’s SBL

Not me.  Don’t get all excited thinking you’d have the great joy of seeing me there this year.  Alas, not.  You’ll have to go to the Regional in March or wait till next November in New Orleans for that happiness.  Instead, it’s Martin who’s looking

I’m looking for someone to share a room 21-25 November. I have a double room booked in the VIP section of the Sheraton congress hotel. It will be $80 pr person pr night. Please contact me privately.

Martin Ehrensvärd, PhD
University of Aarhus, Denmark

You can write Martin directly here-  mehrensvard@gmail.com.  Let him hear from ya.

Zwingli For Today

It may happen in the course of life that one fails to achieve one’s goals and aims.  It may also happen that one also fails to obtain outward success.  Indeed, it may even come to pass that we find ourselves having to say ‘Now God lays me aside as a locksmith does with a worn file’.  But despair not.  You are an instrument and a vessel of God;  he will use you and wear you out; he will not let you lie idle and rust.  How blessed are you, that God calls you to be his instrument and uses you.  — Huldrych Zwingli