One of the key foundations of the historical Jesus is the crucifixion, and this has come out in the conference. One thing I have been thinking about is Livesey and the possible lateness of Paul’s letters, and so perhaps the early Q source presents an original Jesus construct without a salvific cross or resurrection. Crucifixion … (2/2) Halftime Show: Intermission Reflections at Ehrman’s NINT Conference

Here are some thoughts that the first group of presenters were a catalyst for in my thinking: In the 2nd temple period generally and more specifically around the time of Jesus, many thought the Jewish elite were corrupt.  Corruption among the Jewish elite—particularly the priestly aristocracy (Sadducees and high priests) and some Pharisee leaders—was a … Halftime Show: Intermission Reflections at Ehrman’s NINT Conference

Speaker: Paula Fredriksen Topic: Turning the Tables on the ‘Purification’ of the Temple Overview: E.P. Sanders in Jesus and Judaism challenged the idea that Jesus was somehow objecting to the way the temple was being run when he upset the tables of the pigeon sellers and of money changers. Rather than focus on what Jesus … Reporting From Ehrman’s New Insights into the New Testament 2025 Conference Part 5: Turning the Tables on the ‘Purification’ of the Temple with Paula Fredriksen

Previously I did a brainstorm / activating prior knowledge here: Jesus and the Law: Prep for the Joel Marcus Lecture Overview: It is difficult to pin down the attitude of the historical Jesus to the Mosaic Law, since our main sources, the first three (Synoptic) Gospels, have all been influenced by the anti-Torah attitude of … Reporting From Ehrman’s New Insights into the New Testament 2025 Conference Part 4: Jesus and the Law with Joel Marcus

So, if Jesus really didn’t do miracles, what were they doing in the New Testament. We have John’s testimony. In the crucial passage in the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained … (Allison 2/2) Reporting From Ehrman’s New Insights into the New Testament 2025 Conference Part 3: Did Jesus Really Do Miracles? with Dale Allison

Overview: What might one make of the miracle stories in the canonical gospels? Christians have traditionally used them to establish the truth of Christianity. But many believe that their prominence in the narratives challenges their historicity. Are they right? Is each and every story legendary? Were they invented whole cloth, to communicate theological meaning rather … Reporting From Ehrman’s New Insights into the New Testament 2025 Conference Part 3: Did Jesus Really Do Miracles? with Dale Allison

I’m brainstorming and activating prior knowledge in preparation for listening to a conference presentation on Jesus and the law. Jesus is the law incarnate, guided by the spirit of the law rather than just manipulating it like a lawyer ignoring God’s intentions. Jesus rebukes Satan during the temptation in the wilderness when Satan quotes Scripture, … Jesus and the Law: Prep for the Joel Marcus Lecture

Is Jesus a proper name or a granted name, like the Roman senate gave Octavian the name Augustus?  For Joshua is his Hebrew name, Yehoshua (or Yeshua in its shorter form), which means “Yahweh is salvation.”  With Jesus, his name, Yeshua (Greek: Iēsous), shares the same Hebrew root, also meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”  The shared … Jesus: A Proper Name or a Granted Name?

Previously, I posted the video. Now, the conclusion SLIDES: RESEARCH NOTES: History Valley talk with Jacob Berman: Issues With Dating the Pauline Epistles Nina Livesey suggests Paul was created in the second century in Acts and the letters are fictive correspondence based on that figure. Fictive correspondence was often in collections and so we find … (Part 2/2) Come See Me on History Valley Podcast with Jacob Berman – All Things Paul! MY NOTES AND SLIDES FOR THE PRESENTATION

If anyone is interested, 2 members of The Heidegger Circle (including me) are hosting an open online discussion of Heidegger’s Origin of the Work of Art November 3, 2025 at 6 pm EST. Location: https://iu.zoom.us/j/5415673650