It has long been known that the gospels have to some extent appropriated the famous figure John the Baptist and repurposed him for Christians purposes to note that while John is the greatest among men, the newly developed Christian community was greater: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus declares that among those born of women, no one … (1) Some thoughts on my History Valley Podcast with Jacob Berman Presentation: Jesus and John the Baptist

Bart’s new book that I’ll be blogging about on Jesus’ revolutionary ethics will be out soon, and here is a taste about Jesus and charity.

Our Vice President Ed did a kiosk article recently on the origin of evil that was also featured on Debunking Christianity. Here is the link: https://infidels.org/kiosk/article/why-adam-and-eve-sinned/

What we find in the historical record about Jesus’ death is that it all converges on the idea that Jesus’ death is the responsibility of the Jewish elite.  The Roman leader Pilate is exonerated, for instance, even though he orders the crucifixion.  In my opinion this totality of evidence speaks against the idea that Jesus was … My Presentation on the Historical Paul and Jesus on HISTORY VALLEY PODCAST with JACOB BERMAN

Ehrman’s new book on Jesus’ innovative ethics is coming out later this month so I will be blogging about that, and I will supplement this with Goicoechea’s book on Christianity and personhood. Here’s a preview: From the blurb: From the New York Times bestselling author of Misquoting Jesus comes a surprising history of Jesus’ most radical commandment—a new kind … New Blog Series: A New Christian Theory of Ethics and Personhood with Ehrman and Goicoechea

Bart looks at how Jesus’ ethics of service and avoiding exerting power over others contrasts with ancient Greek ethics centered on finding contentment (quite interesting, though I think we find the service model with Socrates giving thanks for the poison and the impaled just man of Plato’s Republic. I also think Ehrman misses the importance … Bart Ehrman and did Jesus Found Modern Morality?

Ehrman’s new book is coming out and in it he will argue for Jesus’ radical message of love of stranger even outside of one’s community.

In Bart’s new book he argues the lack of atonement theology in Luke-Acts reflects Luke going back to the historical Jesus who did not think God required a sacrifice. Ehrman’s basic thought seems to be there was an historical Jesus who in the tradition of John the Baptist taught a God who forgives if you … Bart Ehrman on the Absence of Atonement in Luke-Acts

Heidegger’s grave in Meßkirch (wiki) Derrida lecturing at EHESS, 1990s (wiki) Foreword: Of course, most people live their lives “as though” the next moment won’t be denied, though it could be.  Every time I reach for my glass or leave for work I’m doing so “as though” the activity will be completed, as though the … Landing Page for Posts on Martin Heidegger and Jacques Derrida on the Philosophy of Death

SEE THIS CURRENT BLOG SERIES LANDING PAGE ON DERRIDA’S AND HEIDEGGER’S PHILOSOPHY OF DEATH: Jacques Derrida and Martin Heidegger on The Philosophy of Death Last time I noted the deep presence of Anxiety in Christianity that seems to inform Heidegger’s interpretation of the human condition in Being and Time, specifically Heidegger’s own self-understanding which would put … (Derridean Heidegger 2/2) Philosophy and Christianity as the Religion of Anxiety