1. Lately, you may have noticed that I’ve been blogging lightly. This is just due to an increase in productivity in other areas! At any rate, I hope to be back in the swing soon, but I’m not sure exactly when. All of this is complicated by a recent death in the family. Thanks for continuing to subscribe and read, even though I’m not putting a lot out there at the moment.
2. You may have noticed that the Round-Up has changed. I’m now using a Wordpress plugin (postalicious) to acheive these fine lookin’ Round-Ups via a clever combination of Wordpress and del.icio.us. Sweet.

Categories: This and That

Just to keep you posted. I will be headed out of town for a week, beginning July 21. Because I’ll be backpacking in Colorado for 6 days, there is absolutely no way I can update Withering Fig. Therefore, the “Daily Round-Up” will have to take a week off. However, I have scheduled some entries to be posted over the next few days. If you leave a comment and expect feedback, well, don’t get mad if I don’t get to you for a while!

God Bless!

Categories: This and That

This is it…the utmost in language dorkery! I was tipped off to this by a post at Higgaion. Check out the quiz here (but be warned…it’s some dating site). Post what you are in the comments if you like!

I am: LINEAR B!!!!

You are Linear B. Even those who can follow you think you’re all Greek to them. Which, after all, is true - Linear B being the first known text for written Greek. To most people, you’re incomprehensible. But what do you care? You’re tough, hard, long-enduring and have greater nobility than most. Naturally, you don’t admit to borrowing extensively from your brother Linear A.

Categories: This and That

Read the MSNBC Article

DISCLAIMER: I have not read the document in question, yet. I hope to get my hands on a copy at some point and give it a thorough perusal.

What I Like About the Pope

So, in a nutshell, here’s the story. Pope Benedict XVI has approved a document, which was produced several years ago, that states that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church. The problem with orthodox churches: they don’t acknowledge the Pope. The problem with Protestant churches: they cannot claim apostolic succession (they can’t claim to have been instituted by an apostle in the same way that the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church can).

Look, these are in-the-box times. By “in-the-box” I mean that so often leaders (political or otherwise) find themselves thrust into a central position (”in-the-box”) in hopes of appealing to both sides. Pope Benedict is the Pope. He knows he’s the Pope. Consequently, he sticks to his guns. I can admire that in a certain way.

A Word on ‘Religious Tolerance’

In academic circles, this particular announcement is not very popular. Academics would stress the need for religious tolerance (e.g., see April DeConick’s post). Now, I’m not going to go Nietzsche on you and say that tolerance is for the weak, but…tolerance is for the weak. Isn’t it?

As a religious person (and I assume the Pope is), there is one central problem with religious tolerance (as it is being used in this debate): it assumes that your belief may not be true.

OK, I’m going to be bombarded on all sides for that one. But, let’s be honest. While I would never claim that my flavor of Christianity is the one true Christianity, I do often claim that it is the Truth (capital ‘T’). Well, if it’s the Truth, then am I not saying that anything that runs counter to it is un-Truth?

At the same time, I would say that I practice religious tolerance. First, and foremost, I do not persecute you for believing what you believe. Second, I do not attempt to force my view on you. Third, I do not believe that you are a bad person for your belief; I do not judge you in it. I might, however, think you’re wrong.

Religious tolerance isn’t about who is right or wrong. It can’t be. We’d be intellectually dishonest if it was. Rather, religious tolerance is about believing that people have a right to believe what they want and we shouldn’t force our views on them.

Looking at this article about Pope Benedict XVI, I can’t criticize him for being “intolerant.” I could probably criticize him for some other stuff though…

Categories: This and That · Ministry

Today, my wife was not feeling well. Since it was a rainy Sunday afternoon, we settled into our room with some snacks and watched the Discovery Channel, dozing off here and there. It’s actually a fantastic way to spend a Sunday. You should try it some time!

Today’s programming was all centered around Egyptology, especially the identification of various mummies from ancient Egypt. First, there was a show on Dr. Vassil Dobrev who has some interesting theories about the Sphinx. Next was a show on Dr. Joann Fletcher (who has really cool hair!) and her controversial identification of a certain mummy as Queen Nefertiti. Then there was a show about the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza. This was followed by a show on King Tut, then Queen Hatshepsut, and finally Imhotep (I am really a fan of this dude!).

DISCLAIMERS: One, I realize that the Discovery Channel is not the best source of information. Egyptology is not my particular field, and I have no idea whether or not these shows were trustworthy. I am, generally speaking, skeptical. Second, I feel pretty much the same way about Wikipedia—I just find it convenient. Three, I really know nothing about all of these archaeologists, and have nothing to say about them personally. I’m just commenting on the Discovery Channel and the various bureaucracies that countries have setup to protect their antiquities.

So, as we are watching all of these shows, I must admit that I got a little creeped out. Was it the mummies that were creeping me out? The inexplicable riddles of the Sphinx? The thought of excavating in such ridiculous heat? No. None of the above. What began to creep me out was Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt.

First of all, Dr. Hawass seems like a charismatic, passionate dude. I really enjoy watching him talk about this stuff because he clearly has a passion for it. He is overflowing with exuberance and enthusiasm. You just have to love someone who has found their passion and gets to engage it every single day. Kudos to Dr. Hawass for this.

But, I found it strange that he was on every one of these shows. It would be one thing if, as Secretary General, he made an occasional appearance to give his two cents on an archaeologist’s claim. Instead, it just seemed like he was intricately involved in every excavation. I’m not an archaeologist, so I don’t know if it’s normal at all, but it just seemed a little weird.

The Secretary General’s omnipresence made me think of the media mongering of the Jesus Seminar which is so heavily criticized by Luke Timothy Johnson in The Real Jesus. I began to question just about every “discovery” made on these programs, simply because I wondered how much of it was done in the hopes of creating a media frenzy.

As a non-archaeologist, I am led to ask the following questions:

• How is Egypt’s department of antiquities organized? Does Dr. Hawass hold some sort of supreme power? How responsibly does he wield that power?
• How does this compare to other countries? Greece? Turkey? Italy?
• What should we think about government bureaucracy and its role in research?
• Finally, what do people think about the Discovery Channel and National Geographic? Do you feel that their programs are fair?

Again, I am really not trying to cast aspersions on Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and its Secretary General. I am genuinely curious about how these various organizations are organized, and what their role is within field research. As I said, Dr. Hawass seems like an amazing guy who is passionate about his field.

Categories: This and That

Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson Dies at 94 (Houston Chronicle)

I try to stay on topic here at Withering Fig, but sometimes it’s appropriate, if only for a moment, to consider other things.

[[Wikipedia:Lady Bird Johnson|Lady Bird Johnson]], widow of President Lyndon B. Johnson, died yesterday at the age of 94. I pause to mention her passing for a few reasons. Lady Bird was a great Texan, a great American, and a truly kind person.

I actually had occasion to meet Lady Bird during my days at the University of Texas. She was truly a kind and gracious woman.

Visit the link to the Houston Chronicle above and explore all the information they have about Lady Bird’s life and legacy.

Categories: This and That

I just noticed that Dr. Claude Mariottini of Northern Baptist Seminary has linked to me. Here’s looking at you! Thanks!

In other news…I’m back. Summer schedule is always crazy!

Categories: This and That

Sadly, I’ve decided to remove an item from my blogroll:

The Skeptical Christian 

I have a love-hate relationship with this site. First of all, it has one sweet looking design. I like it a lot. Second, it has some really interesting content.

So why remove it from the blogroll? The folks over at SC are in deep need of some feed cleanup. Every morning I open up the ol’ feed reader and find a dozen posts from the Skeptical Christian. I am so excited, until I realize that their feed was republished (I assume) and it’s just the same thoughts and book reviews reappearing over and over again in my inbox.

I hope the folks over at the Skeptical Christian fix this soon…it really is an interesting site.

Categories: This and That

An influx of springtime work for Acadian Imaging has led to a decrease in work on Withering Fig. I promise, oh I promise, The Withering Fig will be back and operating on a much more consistent basis in the coming weeks. Please bear with me!

Here’s what you have to look forward to when I do get back in the swing of things:

• Continuation of the Epistles of John series
• Continuation of the Romans 1:1 series
• A review of the Manga Bible by Siku (previous story)
• Thoughts on the words “Jew” and “Gentile” and what the heck they could possibly mean.

Stay tuned. God Bless!

Categories: This and That

Due to some increased work here, I have been and will continue to be blogging lightly over the next week or so. I hope to be back at it early next week.

Stay tuned!!!

Categories: This and That