Richard Carrier’s Blog as Moved

For those who didn’t know, but would like to, Richard Carrier’s blog as moved!  Here is the update and a link to his new blog (so you can update your feeds and blogroll if you so wish–I already have): Greetings all! Alas I have joined the rebel alliance and launched my blog anew here at [...]

The Transfiguration and the Inclusion of Moses

Ascension was nothing new in antiquity.  Richard Carrier jokingly noted that had there been television in antiquity, stories about people who ascend to heaven (or some variant of this) would have been more popular than crime dramas are today.  And, ironically, the New Testament doesn’t deny this. After six days Jesus took with him Peter, [...]

This Country is Doomed…

I don’t know what’s worse: (1) that The Walking Dead won’t air another episode until February or (2) that this actually exists as a thing: Because putting on sweat pants and a hoodie individually is just too much work these days…

Finally Recieved My Invite to Diaspora

It took some time, but I finally received my invitation to join Diaspora!  I went ahead and too a screen shot.  Here is my home page: As I start exploring the features, I’ll post an update about some of them and how I feel about the site overall.  Looks interesting!

South Park on the History Channel, Ancient Aliens, and the Public Understanding of History

South Park spoofed the History Channel’s series Ancient Aliens and I have to say, it was both hilarious and scary.  South Park has always been on the front lines (so to speak) of social commentary and satire.  Spoofing silly beliefs is nothing new for the show.  A few years ago it spoofed Scientology and before [...]

Defining Mythicism: Richard Carrier – “Did Jesus Exist?”

This video is some years old and people’s perspectives become more refined over time.  So I asked Richard if he still stands behind this video before vlogging.  Richard noted, in response: In the intro of the S.II talk I establish caveats (that the talk itself is tongue in cheek and doesn’t address lots of other [...]

‘The Umbrella Man’ – A Cautionary Tale About History

What a fantastic example of the underlying nuances of the past.  For those who question why I stress such caution when investigating figures in the past, say the figure of Jesus, this is why.  There are so many nuances to the investigation, that to stress anything with a black-and-white mentality or a hard certainty is, [...]

‘Is This Not the Carpenter?’ is at SBL San Francisco!

My forthcoming collection of essays, edited with Thomas L. Thompson (book details here), is being featured at the Equinox Publishers table at SBL this year!  Here are some pictures provided by the estimable Jim West: UPDATE 11/20/11: Joel Watts Sent along this photo!  UPDATE 11/22/11: Barnes and Noble is offering this book for pre-order at [...]

When Does ‘Rhetoric’ Become a ‘Threat’?

When this happens: Upon hearing the news, Laurene Pierce (President of the College Republicans at University of Texas) thought it would be hilarious to tweet that people shouldn’t shoot Obama, “as tempting as it may be.” (Source) This is scary.  And many of my (sane) Republican friends have been quick to label this individual as [...]

When Jesus Calls…

Next time just let it go to voicemail…         “When I called, why was there none to answer?” (Isaiah 50:2)