Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science
Despite the obvious symmetrical neatness of the idea that John 21 is a redaction of what was originally the ending of Mark (John 21 appearing as a double ending added to John and Mark appearing to lack a coherent ending) I am stuck on several questions that this raises. If John 21 were originally the … Continue reading “Questions re John 21 being the original ending of Mark”
Where would one expect to find the most sound treatment of the textual and historical significance of the Testimonium Flavianum — in a work by a tried a true academic specializing in early Christian studies or in a lay outsider presuming to challenge the core working paradigm of those studies? F.F. Bruce’s “Jesus and Christian … Continue reading “R.I.P. F.F.Bruce on the Testimonium Flavianum”
The following are preliminary notes from my reading of Mandell & Freedman’s Preface — mentioned in my earlier post re Herodotus and Primary History. Both Herodotus’ History and Primary History: are national epics are divided into 9 books at some time in their history are about the same length begin with a prehistory that includes … Continue reading “Herodotus and Israel’s History: Rationales for comparison”
For those like me who end up going in circles trying to follow the studies of the Gospel of Mark by authors with theological interests, reading a literary criticism of GMark by a trained and renowned literary critic, Frank Kermode, will be a refreshingly stabilizing experience. Kermode himself writes of this failure of biblical (implying … Continue reading “Interpreting Mark like any other work of literature”
This review is very difficult for me to write given my past student experience with Alan Jones. I’m too involved emotionally and know it’s not like my other reviews and other reviewers will surely give a more rounded view of the book. But here goes anyway — at least pending the time when I will … Continue reading “Jonestown: the power and the myth of Alan Jones / Chris Masters. (Allen & Unwin, 2006) Review”