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Some questions begin in Scripture, others begin with a novel, a news story, a movie, or an unexpected conversation. This blog follows curiosity wherever it leads—with intellectual rigor, ethical reflection, and a healthy respect for complexity.
With the sudden rise in interest for online lectures and interactive content, I was invited by fellow biblical studies scholar, Dr. Brian LePort, to an interview about ancient Near Eastern origin stories. The result was a recorded video used as a resource in a high school religion course. It was a fun project, and I…
This past Wednesday, the ANELC eLecture was presented by Dr. Aaron Rubin, a Semiticist at Penn State University. Dr. Rubin walked us through linguistic exchanges that suggest a kinship between Egyptian and Semitic languages. Semitic and Egyptian are two branches of a group of ancient Near Eastern languages referred to as Afroasiatic. Dr. Rubin’s presentation…
On Wednesday, the University College London and King’s College London hosted Dr. Mark Geller to present for the Ancient Near Eastern Language in Contact 2020 eLecture series. About 100 people logged on to listen to Dr. Geller speak about healing incantations and prayers. Dr. Geller gave an interesting presentation that focused on connections between incantation texts…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the Sci-Fi TV Series, in 2020, Part IX of IX The consistent overarching narrative in the 12 Monkeys plot deals with how and why human suffering should be reversed. As the timeline changes, adapting to various efforts to reverse the conditions of the pandemic, the Splinter Project team constantly work…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the TV Series, in 2020, Part VIII of IX As I neared the end of the Twelve Monkeys series, I realized how amazing it was to see female characters in unconventional leadership roles. As a fan of science fiction, and of movie entertainment in general, I am accustomed to enjoying…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the Sci-Fi TV Series, in 2020, Part VII of IX Jennifer Goines, who is brilliantly portrayed by Emily Hampshire, is easily the series favorite. She is a gift to Gen-X, citing songs, movies, and books from late twentieth century pop-culture. Her best self-defining quote is “you have no idea how…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the TV Series, in 2020, Part VI of IX The point of greatest contention between the two brothers, Cole and Ramse, happens when each are faced with the extermination of their progeny. For Cole, his son is thought to be the Witness, and he fights to save him rather than…
Alt: Why Biblical Commentary is Among the World’s Oldest Professions Today was the premier lecture for the Ancient Near Eastern Language in Contact 2020 eLecture series, hosted by University College London and King’s College London. Dr. Mark Weeden gave a lecture about Hittite language origins, with 150 people in virtual attendance. Even though Uruk (a site…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the TV Series, in 2020, Part V of IX James Cole is the one character whose perspective is most sympathetic to the viewer. He is smart, but often ignorant. He wants to do the right thing, but he’s not sure what that is at all times. He is easily caught…
Thoughts While Watching Twelve Monkeys, the TV Series, in 2020, Part IV of IX It does not take long for the storyline of the 12 Monkeys series to press the often explored issue of science versus religion. There are a number of factions established in the future universe of the Twelve Monkeys. But the one…