Monday, December 30, 2019

The lamb on the throne

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Interestingly, as Steven Friesen [ Imperial Cults and the Apocalypse of John , 198] notes, “John did not attempt to work out the relationshi...
Saturday, December 28, 2019

Thought for the day

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People are not really rational animals. We are herd animals who are primarily driven by our emotions. This is true of the academy as well, a...
Friday, December 27, 2019

Tool of subjugation, or tool of freedom?

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Here the present experience of the [Ephesian] community is in view and explicitly identified as one in which a former state of hostility has...
Wednesday, December 25, 2019

As promised, feel good academic stories

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Last Saturday I said I would hopefully share some feel-good academic stories. Well, here are two from my days in graduate school. As those...
Monday, December 23, 2019

He's not even mentioned!

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For all of the empire’s grand claims for the emperor, he is not worthy even to be named but only to take his place in the shadow of the exal...
Saturday, December 21, 2019

In case you've been living under a rock this last week...

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Christianity Today published an op-ed endorsing impeachment and removal of the current president. All that needs to be said was in that op-...
Wednesday, December 18, 2019

So, is he or is he not?

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Finally, does the prologue suggest that Jesus is the appropriate object of worship? In key places in the Gospel, a growing understanding of ...
Monday, December 16, 2019

"…and dwelt among us."

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The [Johannine] prologue itself touches on each of these aspects of worship, at least to a certain degree. First, the tabernacle imagery, re...
Saturday, December 14, 2019

Around the interlinks

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If you are looking for comments on the happenings in Washington yesterday, look elsewhere. That said, is the church in a slumber? This RNS a...
Friday, December 13, 2019

For those who have ears to hear!

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Sir. 13:1    Whoever touches tar will get dirty, and those who associate with the arrogant will become like them. 2 Don’t lif...
Thursday, December 12, 2019

But it's already here!

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The [Johannine] prologue’s focus seems to be almost entirely on the latter notion (renewal) rather than on the former (judgment). Its focus ...
Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Thought for the day

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Sir. 4:1    Don’t deprive a poor person’s life, and don’t avoid looking the needy in the eyes. 2 Don’t grieve a hung...

A thought experiment

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Riffing on the theme of the $11 billion that Amazon had in tax-free profits last year, and adding the couple of thousand that they received...
Monday, December 09, 2019

Greater than the emperor

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As we have seen, Roman claims about the emperor include notions that the emperor is creator of the new world, that his rule is divinely sanc...
Saturday, December 07, 2019

All kinds of goodies to make your week

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Actions speak louder than words for the Salvation Army . Their theology is traditional, but their outreach is to anyone, regardless of the l...
Friday, December 06, 2019

More wisdom from Wisdom

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Wis. 6:1    So then listen, you rulers, and understand. Learn, you who judge the far reaches of the earth. 2   Pay attention, yo...
Thursday, December 05, 2019

Wisdom from Wisdom of Solomon

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9   Those who trust in the Lord will know the truth. Those who are faithful will always be with him in love. Favor and mercy belon...
Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Under the radar

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It is fair to say that at most the Roman themes touched on in the prologue [to the Gospel of John] are implied rather than explicit. But thi...
Monday, December 02, 2019

The power of Rome?

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The point of the Colossian hymn is that through the blood of Jesus this long-awaited new era has now begun. The comprehensive picture of Chr...
Saturday, November 30, 2019

Links of interest

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This week's links will include stuff for the last two weeks. Last Saturday was the first day of AAR/SBL, so I was quite busy. That also ...