Search Results for: form criticism

Reviewing Chris Price’s and Marion Soard’s critiques of Pervo’s “Profit with Delight”

Christopher Price has published online a lengthy discussion titled Genre, Historicity, Authorship and Date of Acts (several places, e.g. here and here). In his 12 to 13 page section of this essay where he discusses Richard Pervo’s Profit with Delight he references Marion Soard’s 1990 review of Pervo’s book in the Journal of the American … Continue reading “Reviewing Chris Price’s and Marion Soard’s critiques of Pervo’s “Profit with Delight””

Recent developments in the Gospel of Judas debate

Little doubt that the tenor of the April DeConick translation is winning open misere. The National Geographic and its translators have been paid their silver for betraying the real Judas. Suspect some would rather hang DeConick than themselves now they’ve been found out, though. The National Geographic and one of its translators of the Gospel … Continue reading “Recent developments in the Gospel of Judas debate”

The origin and meaning of the Emmaus Road narrative in Luke

The Emmaus Road narrative in Luke 24 raises many questions. Why is the hitherto unknown Cleopas one of those who appears to be the first to meet the resurrected Jesus? Who is his unnamed companion? Why does the narrative conclude with a statement that Jesus has appeared to Simon when no such appearance is described? … Continue reading “The origin and meaning of the Emmaus Road narrative in Luke”

The Twelve Apostles Among the Old Wineskins?

(updated 3:20 pm) I’ve posted repeatedly reasons for believing the Gospel of Mark was an attack on that school of Christianity that claimed to trace its roots to the Twelve Apostles, and this post is a continuation of that theme although with a couple of new explorations into the interpretation of the gospel. I’ve relied … Continue reading “The Twelve Apostles Among the Old Wineskins?”

The wrong questions to ask about myths — and the gospels

Ancient myths and the gospels are not modern novels but it’s tempting to ask questions about their characters and plots as if they were. Questions like, Why did such and such a person do this and not that? Are there not too many unlikely coincidences in this story to make it plausible? Ancient myths are … Continue reading “The wrong questions to ask about myths — and the gospels”

Dysfunctional fundamentalist families (1)

One of my helps when I had decided to leave religion was hearing a radio interview with psychologist Marlene Winell (link is to her website) and subsequently reading her book, Leaving the Fold. In her book Marlene makes the disturbing claim that the dynamics found in a fundamentalist family are often the same as those … Continue reading “Dysfunctional fundamentalist families (1)”

Bauckham: reply 2 to JD Walters

A Defense of Richard Bauckham’s Philosophy of Testimony, Part 2 In this series of posts I am addressing the criticisms levelled by Neil Godfrey at Richard Bauckham’s philosophy of testimony, as outlined in ch.18 of Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Here I am responding to the observations found in this post:

Legislating to make us nicer

Marion Maddox concludes her God under Howard: how the religious right has hijacked Australian politics with an interesting reminder of the power government legislation to effect social change for the better. “[T]here is good evidence that governments can bring out people’s better side” (p. 317). The example is worth keeping in mind in order to … Continue reading “Legislating to make us nicer”

Rationalist Hitchens vs Eyewitness Bauckham

Any encounter with Christopher Hitchens’ talent with words is always a richly rewarding experience. And while reading his newly published “God is Not Great” I was at times painfully reminded of my failure at this point to have completed my review of the last chapter of Bauckham’s Eyewitness book on this blog. (I really will … Continue reading “Rationalist Hitchens vs Eyewitness Bauckham”

Why the misconceptions about Al-Qaeda?

Continuation of notes from Al-Qaeda: Casting a Shadow of Terror by Jason Burke. Why do the misconceptions about Al-Qaeda persist? Reason 1: It is convenient and reassuring to think of al-Qaeda as a traditional terrorist group. It promises an sure victory once the organization is defeated. Reason 2: Repressive governments can avoid international criticism by … Continue reading “Why the misconceptions about Al-Qaeda?”

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 16

16. Papias on John A second (hitherto unknown) inner circle In this chapter Bauckham argues that the author of the Gospel of John was John the Elder, and that it was this John who was the Beloved Disciple (BD). He begins by comparing the Synoptic “sources” with John’s. He reminds us that it was Peter, … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 16”

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 15a

15. The Witness of the Beloved Disciple Bauckham opens this chapter with: In the last chapter we demonstrated that, according to John 21:24, the Beloved Disciple was both the primary witness on whose testimony the Gospel is based and also himself the author of the Gospel. (p.384)

Bauckham’s eyewitnesses vs Petersen’s narrator

Is there any evidence in Mark’s narratives that the author is reporting the point of view of anyone other than his own? Is there any indication that he is relaying a third party’s “eyewitness” testimony? Do we ever catch the author stepping outside his own perspective for a moment and finding himself reliant on the … Continue reading “Bauckham’s eyewitnesses vs Petersen’s narrator”

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 13

13. Eyewitness memory Richard Bauckham uses this chapter to relate modern studies in memory psychology “to gospel traditions in a systematic way”. RB acknowledges that others like Crossan have addressed memory studies before but B is attempting to apply them more specifically in a range of cases of eyewitness recall and as the sources of … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 13”