Ecclesiastes 1:18 and the Scholarship

For in much wisdom is much
vexation,
and those who increase
knowledge increase sorrow.

Dr. David Allan Hubbard, former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, pointed me to the dark side of wisdom; it can and does increase sorrow.

Consider the CFO who recognizes the financial condition of her company and knows that bankruptcy is sure to follow. Or the cancer specialist who sees his own test results and the implications of what is to come.

And consider the Christian who decides to venture into the world of biblical scholarship? The same holds true. Long cherished beliefs will end. New insights will take their place. And increased sorrow is likely in relationships that won't or can't process the results of historical-critical studies.

Becoming Human

The Nova series on PBS is running a three-part series on evolution entitled Becoming Human. If you're like me and haven't been able to catch any of the episodes, you can watch them here.

The three episodes are:
1. First Steps: Six million years ago, what set our ancestors on the path from ape to human.
2. Birth of Humanity: New discoveries reveal how early humans hunted an formed families.
3. Last Human Standing: Many human species once shared the globe. Why do we stand alone?

Pepperdine OT Podcasts

Old Testament professor Chris Heard at Pepperdine University is now doing podcasts on Old Testament subjects. Here the link to his blog site, Higgaion, and two podcast links to his YouTube videos. How many time do you get two free lectures on the Deuteronomisic Historian?

Two More SBL Resources

The first resource is the SBL's Review of Biblical Literature. It's been around for awhile, but if you haven't visited there, check it out. This site provides book reviews that cover a variety of scholarly and noteworthy studies. The reviews are substantial, usually 4 or 5 pages, and can help you determine if you should consult the book for research or add it to your library.

The second, a newer resource, is the Review of Biblical Literature Blog. Add this to your Google Reader and get a notice when new books are reviewed. When you click on the book link at this blog, you are taken to a second page with a link that will take you to the Review of Biblical Literature. You can also post a comment about the book on this second page.

Was Jesus Really a Carpenter?

Mark Goodacre at Duke University continues his podcast series with this short excursus on the occupation of Jesus entitled Was Jesus Really a Carpenter. Click here to listen.

Monthly Teacher Resource from the SBL

I am really excited about this resource. The Society of Biblical Literature is now doing a monthly e-publication directed at teachers who teach the Bible as an elective in high school settings. This is a resource that all of us engaged in teaching the Bible should know and consult. Click here to see the first issue and make sure you save it as a favorite.

Koinonia - Two Posts of Interest

Two entries at Zondervan's Koinonia blog are of interest. The first looks at the likelihood that 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (women to be silent in the church) is an interpolation.

The second looks at the the meaning of psallo and instruments in worship.

Bibledex

Here's a project with promise called Bibledex. Nottingham University is producing videos for YouTube on every book of the bible. Below is the one on 1 Corinthians featuring Anthony Thiselton who has written one of "the" major commentaries on the book. This short clip of eight minutes includes a look at the ruins at Corinth and some helpful insights into chapter 13, the "love chapter."

Paul at Corinth

Tomorrow at Hillside we begin a four week study of 1 Corinthians. The historical importance of this book is hard to overstate. One of the apostle Paul's earliest and longest letters, the epistle shows us at mid-first century (circa 54 C.E.) what an early Gentile church was like, the problems they faced and the issues they struggled with. It provides us with the earliest account of the resurrection of Jesus and the earliest account and meaning of the Lord's Supper. If you had to pick one Pauline letter to study, this would be it.

Baseball and the Meaning of Life

With the World Series near conclusion, Book Club Classic lists the current Top 25 baseball books.

Two books with Kansas City connections are Satchel by Larry Tye and The Machine by the Star's Joe Posnanski.

And who could resist Sixty Feet, Six Inches with Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson talking real baseball.

Read these books and learn what life is all about.

All Saints Day

Yesterday at Hillside, like many other congregations, we did not focus on All Saints Day. At the Progressive Revival Blog on Beliefnet, Diana Butler Bass makes the case for why progressive Christians should celebrate the day. How did your church approach All Saints Day?