Comments on: Thinking about the "ugh" and the "mmm" http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/ a blog exploring Christian origins, biblical studies, social/cultural history, method, education and the journey through academia Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:53:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Patrick George McCullough Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:22:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-50 Janna, it's always good to hear from you. Your "(un)faith" is welcome on my blog!<br /><br />Brian seems to be doing well. He took me out to a Lebanese restaurant with some of his old friends from Cincinnati. We had good food and lots of laughs. Did you hear that he's splitting his time between a "lecturer in Bible" and a "teaching pastor" college ministries? You should join facebook and then you can be online friends with him. There's even a facebook group called, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2211172261">"Brian Smith is my yoda."</a> It has "funny sayings" from the classroom that I found highly amusing! (taken out of context, of course)<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. Even though I'm going for a doctorate in NT studies, I love the OT too! The OT is for me a deep well of encouragement, excitement, and humor. But as far as getting into OT/HB "studies," that's where I'm not as interested. I don't get that excited about all the various ANE languages, cultures and documents. Greco-Roman and Second Temple Jewish backgrounds are much more palatable for my taste.<br /><br />And let us not forget the humanity of the NT, too. The young man following Jesus who ran off naked (Mk 14:52), the bizarre story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and some of the implied situations behind the letters, like the Corinthians all excited about a man living with his father's wife (1 Cor 5:1) or the bickering of Euodia and Synthyche in the Philippian church (Phil 4:2). But you're right, I don't think the NT stories can really match the craziness of OT narrative. Have you checked out <a href="http://www.thebricktestament.com/">The Brick Testament</a>? I think you'd be amused. Janna, it’s always good to hear from you. Your “(un)faith” is welcome on my blog!

Brian seems to be doing well. He took me out to a Lebanese restaurant with some of his old friends from Cincinnati. We had good food and lots of laughs. Did you hear that he’s splitting his time between a “lecturer in Bible” and a “teaching pastor” college ministries? You should join facebook and then you can be online friends with him. There’s even a facebook group called, “Brian Smith is my yoda.” It has “funny sayings” from the classroom that I found highly amusing! (taken out of context, of course)

Don’t get me wrong. Even though I’m going for a doctorate in NT studies, I love the OT too! The OT is for me a deep well of encouragement, excitement, and humor. But as far as getting into OT/HB “studies,” that’s where I’m not as interested. I don’t get that excited about all the various ANE languages, cultures and documents. Greco-Roman and Second Temple Jewish backgrounds are much more palatable for my taste.

And let us not forget the humanity of the NT, too. The young man following Jesus who ran off naked (Mk 14:52), the bizarre story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and some of the implied situations behind the letters, like the Corinthians all excited about a man living with his father’s wife (1 Cor 5:1) or the bickering of Euodia and Synthyche in the Philippian church (Phil 4:2). But you’re right, I don’t think the NT stories can really match the craziness of OT narrative. Have you checked out The Brick Testament? I think you’d be amused.

]]> By: janna http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-49 janna Fri, 24 Nov 2006 22:11:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-49 i know i'm supposed to be replying something having to do with your post :) but i was just scanning through quickly to see what i have to catch up on at some other point and i miss brian smith. looks like you met up with him at sbl? how's he doing? and, agnostic that i am, i still love the old testament. i guess it's because of my (un)faith that i have trouble accessing the new testament, but i have fun with the old testament. so wonderfully human, perhaps.<br /><br />janna i know i’m supposed to be replying something having to do with your post :) but i was just scanning through quickly to see what i have to catch up on at some other point and i miss brian smith. looks like you met up with him at sbl? how’s he doing? and, agnostic that i am, i still love the old testament. i guess it’s because of my (un)faith that i have trouble accessing the new testament, but i have fun with the old testament. so wonderfully human, perhaps.

janna

]]> By: Jemila Monroe http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Jemila Monroe Mon, 13 Nov 2006 13:07:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-48 Pete Rollin's book is pretty cool -- just started it: How (not) To Speak of God.<br /><br />Anyway, I think I'm going to make it Friday evening to the pub. Let me know if you'll be around at all that evening. Also, if your driving through our neck of the woods (philly/south jersey) on your way to Virginia, come and say hi! Pete Rollin’s book is pretty cool — just started it: How (not) To Speak of God.

Anyway, I think I’m going to make it Friday evening to the pub. Let me know if you’ll be around at all that evening. Also, if your driving through our neck of the woods (philly/south jersey) on your way to Virginia, come and say hi!

]]> By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Patrick George McCullough Tue, 07 Nov 2006 16:31:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-47 Yeah, I'll be at the conference for the whole time, except for Friday. I get there late on Friday evening and leave Tuesday to meet up with Christina's parents and then pick up Christina at BWI. We're having thanksgiving with her fam in Virginia.<br /><br />I don't know that McLaren would be my top priority (I'm focusing mostly on biblical studies), but I'll check my planned schedule.<br /><br />Are you going to the conference?? Yeah, I’ll be at the conference for the whole time, except for Friday. I get there late on Friday evening and leave Tuesday to meet up with Christina’s parents and then pick up Christina at BWI. We’re having thanksgiving with her fam in Virginia.

I don’t know that McLaren would be my top priority (I’m focusing mostly on biblical studies), but I’ll check my planned schedule.

Are you going to the conference??

]]> By: Jemila Monroe http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Jemila Monroe Tue, 07 Nov 2006 16:22:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-46 Yep New Brunswick Theological seminary, and I have no idea what I am doing. At the moment I am enrolled in the MATS track, but for now I'm just taking this class and then I'm having another baby and I'll weigh by options as they arise.<br /><br />Are be in DC on Nov. 19th for the biblical lit conference? Cause that night there's a theology pub with Brian Mclaren & Pete Rollins. Yep New Brunswick Theological seminary, and I have no idea what I am doing. At the moment I am enrolled in the MATS track, but for now I’m just taking this class and then I’m having another baby and I’ll weigh by options as they arise.

Are be in DC on Nov. 19th for the biblical lit conference? Cause that night there’s a theology pub with Brian Mclaren & Pete Rollins.

]]> By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Patrick George McCullough Tue, 07 Nov 2006 16:00:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-45 Oh, I remembered that bit. I thought maybe you could just take a class at a time not working towards a degree. So is "NBTS" the <a href="http://www.nbts.edu/">New Brunswick Theological Seminary</a>? Are you working towards an MDiv with them? Oh, I remembered that bit. I thought maybe you could just take a class at a time not working towards a degree. So is “NBTS” the New Brunswick Theological Seminary? Are you working towards an MDiv with them?

]]> By: Jemila Monroe http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Jemila Monroe Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:18:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-44 Hear ya. Naaa, class is at NBTS; Princeton rejected me on account of my "controversial personal history" -- off the record :) Hear ya. Naaa, class is at NBTS; Princeton rejected me on account of my “controversial personal history” — off the record :)

]]> By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Patrick George McCullough Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:10:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-43 The problem with being an "actual seminarian" is that I have a junk load of required texts to read before I ever have time to read something from my own reading preferences. But Wright's <i>Jesus</i> tome is at the top of my list. <br /><br />The class sounds interesting. Is it with PTS? <br /><br />What interesting things am I learning lately? That's a good question. I will take that up in a separate blog post... but after Wednesday (I have a paper on Josephus due on Wednesday). And back to the <i>Antiquities of the Jews</i> I go.<br /><br />I will pass your greetings to my lovely wife! Say hi to David for me.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Pat The problem with being an “actual seminarian” is that I have a junk load of required texts to read before I ever have time to read something from my own reading preferences. But Wright’s Jesus tome is at the top of my list.

The class sounds interesting. Is it with PTS?

What interesting things am I learning lately? That’s a good question. I will take that up in a separate blog post… but after Wednesday (I have a paper on Josephus due on Wednesday). And back to the Antiquities of the Jews I go.

I will pass your greetings to my lovely wife! Say hi to David for me.

Peace,
Pat

]]> By: Jemila Monroe http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Jemila Monroe Tue, 07 Nov 2006 02:38:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-42 Shame shame! JK I haven't read any Wright stuff (or maybe any of the right stuff ;) beginning to end either. But then again, I am the mother of 2.6 young children, whereas you are an actual seminarian. Just in case you needed some guilt :) Actually, I had my first seminary class today. "Christian Approach to Other Religions." I waited until this morning to decide whether I was going to go to class or drop it, but then I had a big fight with my mom and didn't want to do anything, so I decided that meant I should get off my butt and attend class. And I'm glad I did. Really cool Korean woman prof, phd in sociology of religion, as well as Mdiv -- also did a full bright scholarship in Korea. Very open-minded. All guys in the class except for mwa. Three Koreans (I think all presbyterian,) a white presbyterian, an African American baptist and an disenfranchised, Emerging leaning RCA guy who hales from the Netherlands. <br /><br />The course load actually looks lighter than Messiah stuff -- of course it's only a two credit class. Anyhoo, should be fun. I seem drawn to academia when I'm pregnant...or else being in school gets me knocked up...not sure which comes first the chicken or the egg...<br /><br />What interesting things are you learning?<br /><br />Say hi to Christina!<br /><br />Jemila Shame shame! JK I haven’t read any Wright stuff (or maybe any of the right stuff ;) beginning to end either. But then again, I am the mother of 2.6 young children, whereas you are an actual seminarian. Just in case you needed some guilt :) Actually, I had my first seminary class today. “Christian Approach to Other Religions.” I waited until this morning to decide whether I was going to go to class or drop it, but then I had a big fight with my mom and didn’t want to do anything, so I decided that meant I should get off my butt and attend class. And I’m glad I did. Really cool Korean woman prof, phd in sociology of religion, as well as Mdiv — also did a full bright scholarship in Korea. Very open-minded. All guys in the class except for mwa. Three Koreans (I think all presbyterian,) a white presbyterian, an African American baptist and an disenfranchised, Emerging leaning RCA guy who hales from the Netherlands.

The course load actually looks lighter than Messiah stuff — of course it’s only a two credit class. Anyhoo, should be fun. I seem drawn to academia when I’m pregnant…or else being in school gets me knocked up…not sure which comes first the chicken or the egg…

What interesting things are you learning?

Say hi to Christina!

Jemila

]]> By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Patrick George McCullough Sun, 05 Nov 2006 03:44:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/thinking-about-the-ugh-and-the-mmm/#comment-41 Hey Jemila,<br />I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that I have not read one of Tom Wright's books all the way through yet. He's all the buzz among seminary folk... and blogging folk. I am most interested in his <i>Jesus and the Victory of God</i>, some of which I've read for papers. But I really have to make it all the way through that thing. I've also read some essays and watched some videos of his lectures at the <a href="http://www.ntwrightpage.com/">N.T. Wright Page</a>.<br /><br />From what I <i>have</i> read, I'm excited about his ideas. I feel like he has the kind of balance that I'm looking for. I wish that there were a way that I could study under him for a doctorate, but alas, England is too far away.<br /><br />BTW, I subscribe to both your blog and Emerging Women on my <a href="http://www.bloglines.com/public/pgmccullough">Bloglines account</a>. So I benefit from your wisdom whenever it's published! Hey Jemila,
I’m somewhat embarrassed to say that I have not read one of Tom Wright’s books all the way through yet. He’s all the buzz among seminary folk… and blogging folk. I am most interested in his Jesus and the Victory of God, some of which I’ve read for papers. But I really have to make it all the way through that thing. I’ve also read some essays and watched some videos of his lectures at the N.T. Wright Page.

From what I have read, I’m excited about his ideas. I feel like he has the kind of balance that I’m looking for. I wish that there were a way that I could study under him for a doctorate, but alas, England is too far away.

BTW, I subscribe to both your blog and Emerging Women on my Bloglines account. So I benefit from your wisdom whenever it’s published!

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