by Mark McEntire | Jan 22, 2004 | Opinion
As a member of the sometimes snobbish guild of professional biblical scholars, I am perturbed by the current trend which finds nearly everybody writing a book about the Bible. I grudgingly admit, however, that these “non-specialists” sometimes do excellent...
by Mark McEntire | Dec 29, 2003 | Opinion
“Country music really is the music of a marginalized people.” “Country music can serve as a window to the working-class worldview.” These are among the central claims of David Fillingim, assistant professor of religion and philosophy at Shorter...
by Mark McEntire | Oct 1, 2003 | Opinion
Last spring I taught a course on the book of Psalms and the Israelite Wisdom Literature. One aspect of these texts that receives too little attention is the significance of creation traditions within them. Psalms 8, 19, 73, and 104 are among the many psalms which have...
by Mark McEntire | Aug 27, 2003 | Opinion
The seventh book of the Bible is called “Judges.” The title refers to the succession of military leaders who arise to deliver Israel from oppression. The exploits of Samson and, to a lesser extent, Gideon have found a degree of popular awareness in Western...
by Mark McEntire | May 28, 2002 | Opinion
Much attention has been given to why the posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings is a bad idea for political reasons. It is obviously a violation of the Constitution, which is why such efforts are being routinely struck down by judges. Little attention has...
