Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Body in Luke-Acts

I've been working my way through Luke-Acts for a research project related to the Bible and disabilities. In so doing, I've been struck by the extent to which Luke is concerned with bodies. Time and again, Luke stresses the physical, corporeal nature of human existence, and God's concern for us as embodied beings. 


If you'd like a good book on the topic, I recommend Mikeal C. Parsons' Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity


Physiognomy is the practice--which was quite common among the ancients--of linking physical appearance and character. In other words, you could draw conclusions about a person's character by observing his or her appearance. Sound strange? It has a long history, and still carries (normally unacknowledged) currency today. 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Conference: Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity

United Theological Seminary and the University of Dayton's Center for Scriptural Exegesis, Philosophy, and Doctrine will host a conference on October 4 and 5 called "Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity." Speakers will include: 


Dale C. Allison Jr. 
Mark Goodacre 
Chris Keith 
Anthony LeDonne 
Loren T. Stuckenbruck
Jens Schroeter
Dagmar Winter
Rafael Rodriguez 


The conference is based on a book by the same title, edited by Chris Keith and Anthony LeDonne. 


You can learn more about the conference and register by clicking here

The conference will be held at South Park United Methodist Church, near the University of Dayton. 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

UMC health care coverage for mental illness

This one seems to have gotten in under the radar in the furor of GC: UMC health care coverage for people with mental illness extends only for two years, after which benefits cease. 


Rationale? It is very likely financial. Never mind that we spent almost 9 million dollars at a GC where we seem to have accomplished almost nothing (besides cutting health care benefits to people with mental illness). 


This must have gone through on the consent calendar, but it's still pretty stunning.