Tag Archives: gospels

Illuminating the Issues

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Nathan

WARNING! SPOILERS for all three films! The Secret of Kells – I knew pretty much nothing about this 2009 French animated film. It takes place at a monastery in ninth century Ireland, where a curious boy named Brendan lives with … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Cartoons, Celtic, Christianity, Conspiracy Theories, Frank Black/Black Francis, History, Magic, Monsters, Music, Mythology, Politics, Relationships, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Another Fine Messiah

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Nathan

The concept of the Messiah is a significant one in both Judaism and Christianity, but I think it was in my Apocalypse class in college that I learned what it actually means, and how the concept developed, particularly in the context … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Cults, History, Judaism, Religion, Zoroastrianism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Nathan

Beth has mentioned to me that she really likes the Coventry Carol, which I can’t say I was particularly familiar with. It’s a very bleak sort of song, which makes sense considering what it’s about. But we both know it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Christmas, Donkey Kong, History, Holidays, Mario, Middle East, Music, Mythology, Plays, Religion, Roman Empire, Tori Amos, United Kingdom, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Conflicting Covenants

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Nathan

One thing I’ve heard a fair amount for Christians that doesn’t seem to really hold up is that Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection freed believers from the Jewish law. And yet the same people will quote verses from Leviticus to condemn … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Judaism, Philosophy, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Dragon and the Maiden

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Nathan

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia Wrede – This is a series of four books: Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons. The last was actually the first written, but after Wrede was convinced … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Fairy Tales, History, Magic, Middle East, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Legends of the Levant

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Nathan

Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times, by Donald B. Redford – This was an interesting read. The prose was rather dry and a LOT of information was packed in, but I guess I’m putting my history degree to use. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christianity, History, Judaism, Middle East, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Programming in Paschal

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Nathan

Easter, as the Church Fathers rather confusingly decided, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Well, to be totally technical about it, I believe it’s after the first full moon after 21 … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Easter, Holidays, Judaism, Passover, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Carpenter to Creator

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Nathan

How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee, by Bart D. Erhman – Erhman, a scholar of early Christianity and a former fundamentalist who’s now an agnostic, has written several informative and enjoyable books on Biblical … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christianity, Judaism, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Kiss Before Crucifying

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Nathan

The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot: A New Look at Betrayer and Betrayed, by Bart D. Ehrman – This author is one of my favorite writers on early Christianity, and here he looks primarily at this gospel, which was apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christianity, Gnosticism, Historical Personages, History, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Holy Family Reunion

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Nathan

I’ve examined Jesus’ immediate family before, but what about beyond that? John 19:25 refers to a woman named Mary of Clopas, called as Jesus’ “mother’s sister,” being present at the crucifixion. But since his mother was named Mary, does that … Continue reading →

Posted in Catharism, Catholicism, Christianity, Conspiracy Theories, Gnosticism, Holidays, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments