Having Brandi Carlisle sing #america the beautiful is a CHOICE and I am HERE for it

I wrote a piece on the Shroud of Turin in 2024, and it's proven to be one of the more enraging things that I've written. At least once a week I get some variety of hate mail about it.

Still the best Wordle IMO.

I have so much respect for attempts to point out MAGA hypocrisy, but y’all, please remember that the people who need to see it most will not. At some point, ignorance becomes a choice. Many have already chosen.

Just published my first piece for the Conversation! It’s on Thecla and her reception within Christianity. theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...

The Verizon outage today has me hoping that tomorrow is the day my email goes down.

for newcomers, here's a one-stop shop for political philosophy follows go.bsky.app/6BBahr1

Discuss:

Feeling bummed that the planned title of my memoir has already been claimed.

You may also listen to this superb episode of @deaconspod.bsky.social about #TheMagi with @evandeneykel.bsky.social on YouTube:

Today's Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family begins with the words "When the magi had departed ... ". Who were the #magi? @evandeneykel.bsky.social visited @deaconspod.bsky.social to answer that question:

So many of my recent pieces for National Geographic would have suffered were it not for my ability to link to the amazing resources supplied by @nasscal.bsky.social. If you are interested in early Christian literature you must check out this invaluable site. www.nasscal.com

How many Magi were there and were they descended from Seth? Check out this piece that draws on essential work by @brentlandau.bsky.social and @evandeneykel.bsky.social ial www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...

If you’re ever in search of a perfect example of irony, remember that Wittgenstein actually wrote that “everything that can be put into words can be put clearly” (in Tractatus 4.116).

In this golden era of shareable online calendars and scheduling apps, there is absolutely no reason for us to do the back-and-forth reply all email threads to try and find 30 minutes to “touch base.”

Just posting this to let you know that even though you printed your name tag, you left it at home. #sblaar25

Two strangers at my gate are talking about evangelization strategies and I am certain that I will end up sitting next to one of them on this flight.

One I'm still struggling with, but it's so important: you don't need to be in sessions/papers all day, every day. Take breaks! - and: take a few hours in the book exhibition to browse through books and also to just meet people. (My personal happy place)

Get free food and drinks in the evenings by reception-hopping. Do at least three receptions to ensure a balanced diet.

New conference advice: the AARSBL25 app has a messaging feature, so you can now message folks whose numbers you don’t have to meet for food/coffee/receptions!

Totally fine to hop in/out of sessions (try to do so discretely by sitting near the back). Pace thyself with free alchohol—fatigue, dehydration and nerves can make one drink go further than you might expect. Whether making your schedule or chatting with others, be curious about work beyond your area

Is is DRY. Bring lip balm. You too, mens. Also: Pick up all the free swag and give it to your students later.

Department receptions are places for alums to gather but most are also open to anyone. Feel free to drop in and meet people.

Get a conference buddy. There are weird moments and points where you have down time so have a friend you can touch base, meet up, or process whatever strange encounter you just had (which will happen). #AARSBL25

It's cool and expected for you to introduce yourself to people---we're there to meet each other! If you don't feel like you can just go right up to someone, know that there are friends who will make the connection for you, just ask!

#SBLAAR25: breakfast is one of the most expensive/inconvenient meals at conferences. on day 1 find a grocery/convenience store near your hotel & stock up on a few days worth of yogurt, cereal, etc. so you can save money & breakfast in your PJs.

Those heading to Boston for SBL/AAR, let me know if you have any interest in a pub meetup Friday night? Would be nice to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones! #sblaar25 #aarsbl25

It’s difficult to escape the sense that we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of this presidency. But these unravelings do take time. Nixon, after all, didn’t resign until more than a year after Senate hearings on Watergate were underway.

As an example of how traditions are passed on and sometimes change along the way, this morning on the way to the bus stop, my son looked at me and said “When I step on this crack, you will DIE!”

Since we are coming up on Magi season, I’ve started putting some Magi related videos on TikTok. Have a look if that’s your thing 😎 #CountdownToEpiphany www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMo3EDDN/

Epstein files are already trickling out.

Oof. I felt this acknowledgment in my bones. I am supremely grateful for good editors!

TikTok is wild.

“How often do you think about the Roman Empire” but take it to Wisconsin or Michigan and ask all the dudes about the Edmund Fitzgerald.

I sincerely hope that Bishop Barron stumbles upon this account at some point and takes a long, hard look in the mirror. Absolutely spot on, and much of it isn’t even parody.

The struggle.

Many don't realize that when Jesus talks about the evil spirit leaving and then returning with seven more (Mt. 12:43-45), he was actually referring to answering emails with multiple people copied.

I’m gonna be speaking on Thursday, November 6, at Ferrum College in Virginia. Come say hi! More details here: www.ferrum.edu/news/biblica...

For some time now, I’ve maintained that Harambe’s death in 2016 is the moment that triggered our current apocalyptic hellscape. Look at the timeline since then and prove me wrong.

The White House renovation doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the fact that it’s his focus during a government shutdown. It speaks volumes about his sense of the office—and himself.

When I read comments on any story that one of my local outlets is covering, it’s hard not to feel like half the country is living in an alternate reality, gorging themselves on misinformation and conspiracy theories. It’s not just disagreement; it’s like we’re inhabiting entirely different worlds.

Managed to get a copy of “Judeophobia and the New Testament” by @apocalypsenow5.bsky.social, @evandeneykel.bsky.social & @drmjcwarren.bsky.social. Read most of part 1 already and there’s some great stuff in there, from a good mix of scholars.

Announcing the launch of the open-access Journal of Christian Apocryphal Literature (JCAL). Sign up if you are interested in being a contributor or reviewer! journals.aperio.press/jcal/submiss...

I found this as I was going through old photos this morning ❤️

While in an airport today, I asked ChatGPT to generate an image featuring “old guys in an airport.” Honestly this is perfect. I’m glad they are there to make sure the planes dock and push back safely! ❤️

It’s apparently easier to troll a government than it is to run one.

I did some writing today.

Tonight my 5-year-old and I discussed whether Jesus had a belly button, and how your answer to that question says a lot about your Christology. Anyway that’s a normal conversation that people sometimes have.

Amazon is offering the Judeophobia book at a pretty deep discount right now (77%!). If you were waiting for a deal, I think the universe is tapping you on the shoulder now!

I am not a violent person, and yet every time I have to delete and reinstall my HP printer because it disconnected itself again, I imagine myself as one of the characters in Office Space. In other news: there is never a good reason to purchase an HP inkjet printer.