There's a guy named Jim West who runs a blog. He is an interesting guy....a baptist preacher in fucking Tennessee who nonetheless hangs out with and agrees with some of the most notorious ( in fundie circles ) minimalist scholars like Niels Peter Lemche and Philip R. Davies. I don't know how he keeps his job in trailer trash land.
Anyway, while he is academically enlightened enough to apparently think outside of fundie circles he his own brand of myopia which he proudly displays for all to see. In his view, only people with a degree in fucking theology are fit to comment on the bible. Anyone else who does so is a "diletantte" in his most customary of words.
The irony here is, of course, that the original protestant troublemaker, Luther, demanded that each man read the bible himself and not listen to self-proclaimed popes or churches. People like West stand that idea on its head. He thinks that we need HIM to explain the bible. I wonder what Luther would think of that?
The problem with academics by and large is that they tend to write to each other. That's why a guy like Neil De Grasse Tyson is so valuable: He can cross the divide and explain ideas to the layman.
Anyway, while he is academically enlightened enough to apparently think outside of fundie circles he his own brand of myopia which he proudly displays for all to see. In his view, only people with a degree in fucking theology are fit to comment on the bible. Anyone else who does so is a "diletantte" in his most customary of words.
The irony here is, of course, that the original protestant troublemaker, Luther, demanded that each man read the bible himself and not listen to self-proclaimed popes or churches. People like West stand that idea on its head. He thinks that we need HIM to explain the bible. I wonder what Luther would think of that?
The problem with academics by and large is that they tend to write to each other. That's why a guy like Neil De Grasse Tyson is so valuable: He can cross the divide and explain ideas to the layman.
