This is an unedited “outtake” from a wide-ranging interview from 2007, hosted by Ted Koppel. Simcha Jacobovici and James Cameron had just released their documentary on Discovery Channel “The Lost Tomb of Jesus ” available Youtube. Don’t Miss this One! It was right out of the gate. https://youtu.be/R9WSQYvp88c For an…
I learned this single CORE idea from Jonathan Z. Smith, the greatest historian of religion of our time, during the first week of the first class I had from him at the University of Chicago called simply “Hellenistic Religion.” It remains the case that very few in my academic field…
The publication of this revised and expanded 4th edition of my book Restoring Abrahamic Faith has been delayed over the past months due to pending research that I want to include. The official publication date is now October 3, 2024. The book will be published on Amazon in Kindle, Paper,…
Good morning everyone from the Old City of Jerusalem! In this post I want to encourage you to register for this fabulous upcoming conference sponsored by Bart Ehrman. Some of you might have already signed up, but if you have not, take a look here at the speakers and the…
Michael Stone, now retired from Hebrew University, but as active as ever in his scholarly investigations and publications, is one of the most engaging scholars in the general area of Jewish texts and traditions of the late 2nd Temple period. I still consider his little book, Scriptures, Sects, and Visions…
I am at the ATL airport, for a flight connection, with one thing on my mind. April 19th, 1993. I am tuned in now to the Memorial Service via Zoom, which I can’t attend this year due to an out of town conference. Some of you will perhaps remember that…
Here is a link to my Contributor page on Dr. Robert L. Kuhn’s amazing program, “Closer to Truth,” that has videos of all my interviews, as well as other information. I have known Robert for 56 years–his Ph.D. is in Brain science; mine in ancient Mediterranean history and religion. In…
I loved this relaxed conversation with John Pinna, one of the hosts of the podcast “Crossing Faiths” (https://www.crossingfaiths.com). Check out his podcast and subscribe, the range and topics are fascinating. The Qur’an never mentions the apostle Paul, although John the Baptizer, Mary mother of Jesus, and Jesus himself are referenced many…
I have recently formed a “Research Community” for anyone interested in my academic work. I post several things a week related to my own research and my field in general, whether breaking news, book recommendations, videos, and articles, as well as sharing and discussing inside material even before it is…
I would love to meet and spend time with some of my blog readers this Fall in San Antonio, November 17-19 for the “26th annual “Bible and Archaeology Fest.” Click on the link for all the details. I have been at these for all but two of the 25 years!…