Biblical Studies, Exegesis, Theology, etc. by Josh Mann
Via the Logos blog:
The release version of Logos 4 Mac has a ship date. We’ll be rolling out the completed version to new and existing users on Friday, October 1, 2010—six weeks from today!
I’ve using the alpha and beta versions on the mac, and I am very pleased. I’m using the Beta 8 version now and would not worry at all about any platform issues (Mac vs. Windows).
Posted in Technology.
– August 24, 2010
It appears that the Midwestern Journal of Theology is available online through the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Library catalog. The latest (Spring 2010) edition is out, and here’s a link to the entire journal issue via the online catalog (pdf format).
In my article, “The Rhetorical Function of Chiasmus in Acts 2:2-4,” [p. 66-77] (yes, quite a boring title!), I conclude:
This article has proposed a chiastic structure in Acts 2:2-4, determined the high probability that the arrangement reflects authorial intentionality, and proposed and evaluated possible functions of the arrangement in the immediate context of Acts 2 and the broader context of Luke-Acts. The possibility that the dense chiasm was present in the author’s source for the Pentecost account has been rejected based on arguments for the probability of Lukan origination. The rhetorical function of chiasmus in the passage has been argued in view of the promise-fulfillment motif in Luke-Acts, especially as the motif relates to the Holy Spirit. In employing chiasmus in Acts 2:2-4, Luke desires to emphasize the manifestation of the Holy Spirit at the moment of the Holy Spirit baptism to indicate a climactic fulfillment of an earlier promise introduced in Luke 3:16 on the lips of John the Baptist and recollected in Acts 1:5 on the lips of Jesus. This is in accordance with Luke’s overarching purpose of providing certainty to his readers regarding the Jesus/early-church tradition, as observed in the preface of Luke-Acts (Luke 1:1-4).
Take a look at how I arrived there if you’re at all interested. I welcome critique and discussion!
Posted in Misc..
– August 11, 2010
Welcome Larry Hurtado to the blogosphere… See his latest.
From his ‘about’ page:
This blog site is a space where I offer comments, analysis, and something of my own contributions to the study of earliest Christianity. I’ll interact with the treatment of early Christianity in the work of other scholars, and also in the popular media when appropriate. I’m a scholar of the New Testament and Christian origins, with posts in higher education since 1975. I’ve been in my current post, Professor of New Testament Language, Literature & Theology (University of Edinburgh) since 1996. My own research over the decades has focused mainly on the origins and development of “devotion to Jesus” in earliest Christianity, and also on textual criticism and the study of earliest Christian manuscripts as informative artefacts of ancient Christianity. For more about my own work, consult my University staff page: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/divinity/staff-profiles/hurtado.
– July 7, 2010
Somehow it escaped my notice that last October some of the faculty at MBTS selected the coffee blend I’ve been drinking for a couple of semesters (and it’s not too bad). From The Midwestern (Winter 2010), page 16:
After sampling dozens of coffees brewed from beans and roasts from around the world, the team [of faculty members] settled upon a custom blend that was 50% Italian roast Sumatra beans and 50% medium roast Ethiopian beans. Each team member said this particular combination was found to have a full-bodied taste with a hint of sweetness that they enjoyed.
I think this calls for a coffee committee… one committee on which I would happily serve!
Posted in Misc..
– June 8, 2010
One of the highlights of Tozer’s Pursuit of God is the prayers he attaches to the end of his chapters. One I recently reread:
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.
Posted in Misc..
– June 1, 2010
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Heralding a potential new era in biology, scientists for the first time have created a synthetic cell, completely controlled by man-made genetic instructions, researchers at the private J. Craig Venter Institute announced Thursday.
At around $40 million, this was no cheap experiment. Worth the money? Perhaps…
Several companies are already seeking to take advantage of the new field, called synthetic biology, which combines chemistry, computer science, molecular biology, genetics and cell biology to breed industrial life forms that can secrete fuels, vaccines or other commercial products.
But is it ethical? The article continues:
There was no immediate reaction from Roman Catholic and Protestant groups that have questioned such developments in the past. There was some support. “It is very much within divine mandate that we do these things,” said theologian Nancey Murphy, who studies Christianity and science at the Fuller Theological Seminary, a multidenominational Christian seminary in Pasadena, Calif.
Interesting point that Murphy makes. Some call it playing God, others obeying God’s mandate to rule over the earth. But bear in mind that scientists aren’t really created anything new: they are simply rearranging here and there, perhaps replacing ‘this’ with ‘that’. Any thoughts?
Posted in Misc., Technology.
– May 20, 2010
From the Scriptorium Daily: “Advice for applying for grad school in theology.”
There, an interesting article is linked from the Chronicle of Higher Education: “My Credentials Gap.”
John Piper also weighed in (particular commenting on pastors and the PhD–below):
A response has been given by Dane Ortlund who has a PhD from Wheaton (via Andy Naselli).
Posted in Misc..
– May 19, 2010
Nijay offers some thoughts on citing other scholars and reflects on some advice one of his mentors gave him during the writing phase of his dissertation:
At one point, this same mentor used the analogy that I was hiding behind my sledgehammer in my attempt to crack eggshells.
Discussion follows–I particular like Jason’s comment in which he quotes advice I. H. Marshall gave him:
Howard Marshall after my first few drafts, heavily laden with footnotes: “Let us remember that this is a British dissertation, not a German one. And the British have it right.”
Perhaps we should think of footnoting as an art form, not a science?
Go give the original post a read.
Posted in Misc., NT, Readings.
– May 6, 2010
