Antiquitopia

I just turned in a chapter of my dissertation for critique, am about to take a break in a few days, so am using the next few days to catch up on my review of Bauckham (I have also picked up McGrath's book, so expect a post or two on that soon as well). To see my reading of his introduction and first chapter, just click on the tags that say "Richard Bauckham" or "Jesus and the God of Israel" to take you back. Now we turn to chapter two, which, again, will take a few postings. Chapter 1 was about 60 pages and this one is about 40. Chapter 3, thank god, is only about 20. And he is starting to become repetitive, so I do not need to rehearse everything he does. So, in short, I am hoping my readings will become shorter (or the posts per chapter fewer). Chapter 2 is called "Biblical Theology and the Problems of Monotheism" As the title indicates, this is the most explicitly theologically patent chapter. Current theological applications of historical an...

I'm reading Ernst Bloch' Atheism in Christianity: The Religion of the Exodus and the Kingdom , probably something I should have read years ago, but, alas, am getting to only now. It is a fascinating read so far, and is a nice counterbalance to the usual scholarly rubbish I have to wade through. There is only this point, that Church and Bible are not one and the same. The Bible has always been the Church's bad conscience. Tolstoy, speaking against her, called not on Haeckel but on the words of Jesus. The Enlightenment, therefore, will be all the more radical when it does not pour equal scorn on the Bible's all-pervading, healthy insight into man. It is for this very reason (one not remote from the Enlightenment) that the Bible can speak to all men, and be understood across so many lands and right on through the ages. (Ernst Block, Atheism in Christianity , 9-10; trans. J.T. Swann)

Seeking enlightenment? Eh, probably not. But want a little peace and relaxation from the stresses of life. Well, if that's you, you can visit a nice Ashram or Buddhist monastery in upstate New York! Seek the silence here .