“The Tower of Babel” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Oil on board, 1563. The Tower of Babel symbolises the division of mankind by a multitude of tongues provided through heavenly intervention. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Thus saith the word of the Lord. Genesis 11:1-9.
And so here we are today, speaking our language in our bit of real estate. It all sounds sort of cute, but a book that’s been around for a little while now jolted me by bringing to my attention what quite likely inspired the imagination of the author of this tale. read more »
I’d like to thank you for this very nice representation of what I was trying to show in the book. It’s always gratifying when a reader zeroes in on exactly those aspects I thought were most interesting and most central to my argument. Thank you for this careful and engaged reading of my work – much appreciated!
— Eva Mroczek, June 2017
I think you have a high quality blog that provides a positive public service by discussing academic topics within a wider audience.
— Russell Gmirkin, October 2016
Very good. This post is going straight to the March 2016 Biblical Studies Carnival. — N.T. Wrong, March 2016
For an excellent example of generally high-quality scholarship by someone who isn’t a biblical studies professor, see Neil Godfrey’s work posted on the website vridar.org.
— Tom Dykstra, JOCABS 2015
Neil Godfrey and Tim Widowfield, who both write at Vridar . . . happen to be some of the most astute and well-read amateurs you can read on the internet on the subject of biblical historicity. I call them amateurs only for the reason that they don’t have, so far as I know, advanced degrees in the subject. But I have often been impressed with their grasp of logic and analysis of scholarship. I don’t always agree with them, but I respect their work.
— Richard Carrier, March 2014
Thanks for your very elaborate review! I realized that I hadn’t added your blog to our blogroll. This oversight has been corrected. Looking forward to more segments.
— Anthony Le Donne, September 2009
I always enjoy reading Neil’s blog because I think that he is careful, thorough, intellectually fair, and honest.
— April DeConick, November 2007
A Buddhist on The Phlogiston Jesus: “Huh. I thought Casey to be Christian, I guess, because he advocated such conservative positions that, if true, would allow…” Oct 19, 14:48
Neil Godfrey on The Phlogiston Jesus: “From a trusted source somewhere in British academia: Casey was son of rector of St Giles Church in Durham, took…” Oct 19, 00:57
A Buddhist on The Phlogiston Jesus: “Wasn't Maurice Casey a Christian?” Oct 19, 00:31
db on The Phlogiston Jesus: “A similar case is: Aether (classical element) —thought to be the material that fills the region of the universe above…” Oct 18, 15:31
Arkenaten on The Phlogiston Jesus: “I've mentioned before that I reckon Ehrman will do exactly what Brodie did once retirement looms. And no doubt there…” Oct 18, 14:08
db on What will it take?: “• Given that a nuclear apocalypse will destroy the human race. If solar and wind reduce global…” Oct 18, 13:59
proudfootz on The Phlogiston Jesus: “"What proves that they are not in the true road to truth, is, that each phlogistian has framed a particular…” Oct 18, 13:24
Steve Watson on What will it take?: “There are hard stops and serious environmental costs. I raise you https://www.richardcarrier.info/?s=Nuclear+energy.” Oct 18, 13:08
A Buddhist on The Phlogiston Jesus: “Huh. I thought Casey to be Christian, I guess, because he advocated such conservative positions that, if true, would allow…” Oct 19, 14:48
