Religion and Race
Our most recent discussions in Old Testament Theology have forced us to confront the uncomfortable subject of the past, present, and future of racism in America.  In addition to reflecting on the possible message concerning "the other" in the book of Jonah, we watched and discussed Spike Lee's provocative film Bamboozled.  While I had some issues with elements of the film, his suggestion of the continuation of a "21st century minstrel show" in our culture was both painful and convincing.  I confess that I knew very little about the history of racist caricature in America until I watched the documentary Ethnic Notions two years ago.  Since then I have b

Homilette on Mark 13:24-32
This is a brief reflection I gave at the last Adoration service of the semester at Hopwood CC.  The service is a unique blend of a liturgical format and an extended musical element of worship.  As you might notice, this is a slightly problematic text, and I wanted to be honest about this, while trying not to clash against every other element of the service.  It was a fine line to walk, and though perhaps some of you think I wimped out too much, I can assure you that at least some of the room had probably gotten more honesty than they could handle for one night.  It might help to see the reading first:Jesus said to his disciples:"In th

The Fruit of a Seminary Education...
...is in moments like this.  Occasionally we reach a place, if only for a moment, where scholarship, faith, and wit all intersect to produce something genuinely funny.  At this moment I think we were all proud to be "Emus."The back story is that just two weeks prior, Emmanuel held a major event for the inauguration of our fine new president, Dr. Sweeney.  The students also have a president, and they felt that he too ought to have the proper pomp and circumstance to commemorate his term of service.

Just a few...
...of the many books I want to buy at the Eisenbrauns convention sale, but alas still cannot easily afford.  If anyone out there wants to endow an aspiring student's library, go right ahead and give me a call. A Manual of UgariticLinguistic Studies in Ancient West Semitic - LSAWS 3by Pierre Bordreuil and Dennis

Christianity and Violence -- Another Theological Discussion
Well I'm at it again, posting half-formed thoughts on a deadline and soliciting verbal responses from anywhere and everywhere.  The topic this week has to do with OT Theology and Christian acceptance or rejection of violence, AKA John Howard Yoder.  Our readings for this week included  “If Abraham is Our Father” in The Original Revolution and much, but not all, of Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution.  Entering my third year here at Emmanuel, I feel like I have gotten so much distilled Yoder through colleagues, teachers, perhaps even the water on campus, that actually reading these essays at last was a bit of a formality.  Even