Toluu

Exploring Our Matrix

The Blog of Dr. James F. McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University, Indianapolis.

Quote of the Day (Bob Cargill)Yesterday

"The problem with American civil religion is that it reduces faith to a particular brand of nationalism, which is precisely the opposite of the message preached by Jesus and the prophets of the Hebrew Bible. By ignoring passages about social justice and community and highlighting appeals to individual liberties, Deuteronomistic theology, the Exodus, and conquest narratives, Beck attempted to weave together a generic, nationalistic religion that he hopes will appeal to the lowest common denominator of both faith and politics – personal ‘salvation’ via individual liberties – and overlook the more pervasive themes of social justice, equality, and community – which all people of faith are called to do! We are called to live together in community together as one body, not as rugged individuals."

-- Bob Cargill, in a post which rightly bears the title "excellent article on glenn beck’s call to a generic american civil religion"

Do All Things Without ModerationYesterday

As some of you have already noticed, I have turned comment moderation back off. The Internet terrorist who has been posring spam comments seems to want to force bloggers he disagrees with to moderate comments, presumably to hinder free discussion (with which comment moderation interferes). And giving in to what bullies want just encourages them to continue their behavior.

So comment moderation is off, and hopefully no one will find the occasional easily-recognizable spam message (which will always be deleted quickly from the blog anyy, so please don't respond to them) too much of a nuisance. It is a small price to pay for being able to discuss things and express ourselves freely.

Thanks!

Kurt Atterberg on YouTube (and Cherada)September 1

The site Cherada has a list of videos on YouTube featuring music of Swedish composer Kurt Atterberg. One of my favorite works by this favorite composer of mine is his Symphony No.3. Here's the first movement:



There's a lot more there by Atterberg, and as you get towards the end of the list you'll start to find links to some other great works by other composers as well.

Biblioblog Rankings August 2010September 1

Jeremy has posted the biblioblog Top 50 rankings for August 2010.

Sheffield Biblical Studies (Breaking Blog News!)September 1

I've just learned that there is a new blog in town: Sheffield Biblical Studies. Here's a description, from the first entry, which is dated to today:

This blog will be a mix of news, events, book reviews and anything relating to biblical studies in general. There will be a range of contributors, including students, associated with the Department of Biblical Studies at Sheffield. There may even be a bit of engagement with theology, and by that I might mean a little more than my own discussion of a certain theology in the form of Red Toryism.

In addition to the expected usual range of biblical studies topics, there will also be discussion relating to the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible (2011). Sheffield Biblical Studies will be doing several things for this anniversary and there will be more on that in due course. For further information see the links on the side bar, including the Sheffield KJV project being on Twitter.

Although it will have multiple contributors, we're already hearing the voice of one of them addressing us in the first person. Any guesses as to whose voice it might be? :)

Welcome to the blogosphere, Sheffield Biblical Studies!