Friday, October 26, 2018

Lost and Found


My introduction to archeology began (and until recently) ended with the Indiana Jones movies. Most especially I was entranced by the idea that those places we heard about in Sunday School really existed.

Enter Hebrew Scriptures, a course I’m taking this quarter. We started out by reading about the stylistic differences between Homeric epics and Biblical narratives as explained by Erich Auerbach. You can read a summary of his argument here. (How was this not on the reading list of every Lit Trad. professor at UD?) 

Then we dove into The Bible Unearthed by Finkelstein and Silberman to get a sense of the historical and theological backdrop of Ancient Israel. (Luckily our professor throws in a few videos to mix it up.)

While searching for books on a paper I’m writing, I came across From Eden to Exile: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Bible by Eric H. Cline at the local public library.

Cline walks the reader through seven mysteries of the Bible, giving us an overview of not only the historical and archeological context, but a round-up of what current scholars in theology, archeology, and history have to say on the matter. With just enough maps, drawings, and photographs to break up the text, it really is quite readable. He asks (and to some extent gives a satisfactory answer):

Where was the Garden of Eden?
Can Noah’s Ark be found?
Did Sodom and Gomorrah exist?
Did the Exodus take place?
How did Joshua capture Jericho (if he did)?
Where is the Ark of the Covenant?
Where are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel?

Now, about that Holy Grail...

Friday, October 19, 2018

Thou shalt have no other…


 “Mom, can I believe in the Greek gods and still be Catholic?” asked my 10-year-old the other day.

After reminding him about a little list called the Ten Commandments, he seemed satisfied with my answer of “Ummm…No.”  

Apparently I have this series  to blame thank for so successfully capturing his imagination.


Friday, October 12, 2018

68.5 million


Did you hear this story on NPR?

Someone out there did and sent me the book it features, Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini.

The book follows one family, one out of an estimated 68.5 million currently displaced people, and their memories of before. And after.

Even if the one line that haunted me fades…

“I said to you,
Hold my hand.
Nothing bad will happen.”

the watercolor illustrations by Dan Williams will remain indelibly etched.

Author proceeds from this book will go to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation. So thank you. 

Friday, October 5, 2018

Romero


“If they kill me, you can say that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully they will be convinced it is a waste of time. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish.” - March 1980

Blessed Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador martyred in 1980, is scheduled to be canonized on October 14.

In celebration, I offer a brief list of biographies, compilations of his writings, and reflections to inspire us all. Thanks go to my colleague Joe Hastings for the recommendations.

Biographies
Oscar Romero and the Communion of the Saints by Scott Wright
An accessible biography for readers of all ages, illustrated with quotes and photographs

Romero: A Life by James R. Brockman
A biography published nine years after his death

Writings
Archbishop Oscar Romero: Voice of the Voiceless
A collection of his four pastoral letters

Oscar Romero: The Violence of Love
A selection of his sermons

Reflections

Oscar Romero: Memories in Mosaic by Maria Lopez Vigil
A compilation of interviews with peasants, friends, theologians and pastoral associates

Oscar Romero: Reflections on his Life and Writings by Marie Dennis, Renny Golden, and Scott Wright
A reflection by three faith activists on the 20th anniversary of his death