Words on the Word
Archive for July 2012
What do you want to keep seeing at Words on the Word?
Time to let the readers speak… it’s the first ever poll at WotW.
“I Don’t Understand,” by Doran Stambaugh (song in response to the Aurora, Colarado shooting)
Doran Stambaugh, formerly of the Chicagoland band w a t e r w o r k s , has written a song, “I Don’t Understand,” as a response to the mass shooting at the Dark Knight screening a week and a half ago. This is a good lament.
A Brief History of Old Testament Criticism: From Benedict Spinoza to Brevard Childs, Reviewed
The world of Old Testament interpretation can feel vast and complex, teeming with concepts and terms like “historical-critical,” Sitz im Leben, and documentary hypothesis. Admission into that field of ideas is potentially cost-prohibitive, not to mention time-consuming. Mark Gignilliat, Associate Professor of Divinity at Beeson, has greatly simplified a student’s entrance into the realm of … Continue reading
Always read the conclusion first: More about how to speed read
I’ve learned a few more things about speed reading since I first started. In addition to what I already posted here, here are a few more methods I’ve found to be effective. I have always thought of myself as a slow reader and serial book non-finisher. If I can do these things, just about any other … Continue reading
Systems Thinking and Gentrification: Review of The New Urban Renewal
How do neighborhoods change? How does a forgotten ghetto become an urban hotspot? Derek S. Hyra answers these questions in The New Urban Renewal: The Economic Transformation of Harlem and Bronzeville (published by University of Chicago Press, 2008). Hyra presents a careful comparative study between two economically gentrifying communities: Harlem (New York) and Bronzeville (Chicago). He takes a … Continue reading
Words on the Word Weekend Recap
Sad the weekend is over? Relive it a little bit with a Words on the Word weekend recap. Friday through Sunday at WotW had the following: Family: My 4-year-old reviews his first book, Alpha Oops! / Same 4-year-old asks me some theological dinner-time questions Interview: WotW interview with Leslie C. Allen, author of Liturgy of … Continue reading
Tonight’s theological questions at dinner from the 4-year-old
There were two: Does Jesus make people do stuff? and What does “crucified” mean? My answer to the first question (after a long pause): “Jesus can make people do stuff. Jesus can do anything he wants to. But he usually doesn’t make people do stuff. He lets them decide.” Some will disagree with this. But … Continue reading
“Septuagint” is the wrong word to use
“Septuagint” is perhaps the wrong word to use to describe the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. Just about every author I’ve read so far on the Septuagint is quick to point this out. In the mail the other day I was happy to receive my review copy of Tessa Rajak’s Translation & Survival: The … Continue reading
11 Dreamy Bookshelves
The LA Times has featured 11 Dreamy Bookshelves. What digital book revolution? I myself am not partial. I love print and digital. But these bookshelves are heard to beat. See them all here.
