America Magazine - The Good Word

How Stupid Is The Conservative Bible Project? (2)

Author: John W. Martens;

I took a course on law in high school. In a mock trial, I was haranguing a witness, and I can still remember my teacher blurting out, "John, you’re flogging a dead horse." I thought I might be flogging a dead horse with my first entry on the Conservative Bible Project (CBP), but I think there is more to say of value. I did also wonder over the wisdom of using the word "stupid" in the title, especially in light of Vatican suggestions with respect to blogging, but it seems to me still to be the best and clearest word to describe what is going on in this proj

Apocalypse Now?

Author: John W. Martens;

I have a feeling that this week’s readings were not geared to the Hollywood release date of 2012, but it works out well for those with apocalypse on the mind. The first reading, from Daniel 12:1-3, and the second reading, from Mark 13:24-32, a chapter known to scholars as "the little apocalypse," bring us to the heart of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic hopes. The symbolic imagery of apocalyptic thought is rife in both passages, with pictures of "a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence" (Daniel 12:2) and a time "after that suffering," when "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not

Hebrews 9:24-28

Author: John W. Martens;

I am not privy to the ways of the lectionary, either ancient or modern, and sometimes I see the connections clearly between the readings and sometimes I do not. I had a hard time making sense of how Hebrews 9:24-28 fits with the other readings for the Thirty Second Sunday and the responsorial Psalm, each of which focuses on those who are faithful and generous in their poverty and God’s compassion for the poor, the outcast and marginalized. I thought I might avoid posting altogether, until I read, and reread, Barbara Green's post. She has dealt beautifully with these readings in In All Things blog, has drawn readers’ attention to the "Conservative Bible Project" (CBP). The project is perhaps worse than he suggests. The CBP first came to my attention through an e-mail sent by my colleague David Landry to the theology department at the University of St. Thomas a few weeks ago. I went to check out the CBP and sat, mouth gaping, as I su