Why This Blog? April 15, 2009
Posted by Mike Koke in Blogging.trackback
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” I try to follow this famous quote when I live my life or interact with scholarship on the New Testament and Christian origins. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be an apologist. Armed with C.S. Lewis in one hand and Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ in the other, I thought I was prepared to debate skeptics and prove that I am always completely right 
I have found the experience of Bible College and University humbling as I came across many diverse views. In fact, I learned that there was a great amount of diversity in the Bible itself – diverse views regarding Christology, the atonement, the church, eschatology and so on.
I wanted to start this blog as a safe place to explore early Christian diversity, where no one is insulted and no comment is censored (except for spam or harrassing posts). I agree with John Dominic Crossan’s comment on the heated rhetoric of the “Jesus Wars” when he writes, “It is, however, only a small part of the recent shift from academic argumentation (I will make your case as accurate and strong as I can before I demolish it) to political argumentation (I will make your case as dumb and silly as I can before I demolish you).” We should all approach the Bible with humility and be willing to engage with different perspectives. I want to learn from any scholar who can help me come closer to the text, whether the scholar is NT Wright and Ben Witherington or Burton Mack and the Jesus Seminar. I hope this can be a place where we can all treat each other with the Golden Rule.
I am honored to be the first to comment on this blog. But I have nothing to say.
Haha, thanks Peter, now for the part where I begin to attempt to market myself to a wider audience (well, wider than the two of us
).
I am also here!
Mike, I think this is a brilliant idea and I am really looking forward to what this blog can offer you as an individual and a scholar. I am also selfishly excited because it means that I will have one more place where I can indulge my desire to explore the same topics with a very similar methodology.
I feel that you expressed your intentions very clearly and respectfully, and it is that clarity and respect that I think will be your greatest assets on this journey.
Cheers!
~Shea
Thanks Shea. I enjoyed having the class with you and hope the blog helps. At least the blogroll and links can help connect you with much more brilliant people than I
You can be so self-depreciating, Hun. *shakes head* No need to be. I really enjoy your insights and perspectives because they are so much more educated than my own in this area. I am looking forward to learning. The additional sources certainly won’t hurt.
Hey Mike, this is Wesley. I also read a couple of your entries. You now have an audience of four (and Jesus). Btw, I will crush you in apologetics because I will always be right. haha
I don’t know Wesley, my presuppositions are telling me that I am always right and what makes your presuppositions any better than mine
Thanks for commenting Wes.
Hey man, I announced your blog on Pisteuomen. Thanks for stopping by and engaging the materials there. I hope to talk more with you over time.
-TMWH
Thanks Michael, it is very helpful. And if I ever make a post on Mark (I am actually interested in looking at the reception of Mark in the Second Century for a PhD topic), I will make sure to link to all your excellent resources.
Hi Mike,
Since the Golden Rule is flawed in principle, perhaps we should aspire higher — to treat people how they want to be treated, instead of projecting our own desires onto them. See here.
Hey Loren, your Platinum Rule is good, but the world would be a better place if people would just practice one of these two rules
Well, I agree. People have a hard enough time warming to the GR, let alone the PR.
Incidentally, I just blogged about why the Golden Rule doubtfully goes back to Jesus. I know you’re interested in Meier’s 4th volume, and as promised, I’ll try to have a full review up before long.