Luke Timothy Johnson in a Fairminded Quotation
One of the most memorable and important quotations in the debates over homosexuality in the church: Luke Timothy Johnson, New Testament professor at Emory University, has openly admitted what few liberal Christian defenders of homosexuality will: “I think it important to state clearly that we do, in fact, reject the straightforward commands of Scripture, and appeal instead to another authority when we declare that same-sex unions can be holy and good. We appeal explicitly to the weight of our...
Planet Narnia
"Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis" (Michael Ward) I'm still skeptical. A secret thematic organizing principle for the Chronicles of Narnia? But I'm open, and I'm listening. Michael Ward's opening arguments can be summarized as follows: I know that charlatans, ne'er-do-wells, and cranks love to write about Lewis, but I promise I'm not one of them! (His careful style and broad footnoting have persuaded me that he's telling the truth.) Many other sound literary...
The Real Truth about the Chronicles of Narnia
Just picked up a book via the new free inter-library loan program in South Carolina. It's one of those crazy books with a crazy premise that only crazy people would write (or, ahem, read...). I'm told that it says that each of the Chronicles of Narnia was written based on the theme of a particular body in the solar system. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, for example, was written on a sun theme. Ha! Right? ...ha ha? Why does Lewis attract so many crazies? Well... No. Apparently not this time....
Textual Optimism: A Critique of the UBS4
I'm on the plane to Tampa and I'm reading Textual Optimism: A Critique of the United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament by Kent W. Clarke, part of the JSNT monograph series now edited by Stanley Porter, The opening chapter on the history of (mainly modern) textual criticism is a fine summary, and it would make an excellent class reading assignment. Westcott and Hort get the most space, but that material is readily available elsewhere. Those familiar with it may want to skip to the history of...
A Clear and Present Word by Mark D. Thompson
I've been reading a fantastic book called A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture by Moore Theological College's Mark D. Thompson. It's part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, edited by D.A. Carson. Moore Theological College brings a few names to my mind: Peter D. O'Brien, Graeme Goldsworthy, and a new name whose work on verbal aspect (the latest volume in the Studies in Biblical Greek series) I have to admit is beyond me right now, Con Campbell. Ah, yes, and John A. L....