Mysterium by Robert Charles Wilson (1994)
I was disappointed by Mysterium. How can an author mess up a stew of gnosticism, quantum cosmology, political and religious satire, and good old fashioned nuclear annihilation? By substituting an empty placeholder (“mystery”) for a substantive insight or theoria, that’s how.
Knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures
The inclusion of the Hebrew Scriptures in the Christian canon implies what is certain: Christians claim inheritance in the story of Israel. What is shameful, however, is how poorly Christians know the greater arc of the narrative. Yes, they know the smaller stories well — tales of heroes, scoundrels and prophets or of lovers won [...]
After Life in Roman Paganism (Cumont, 1922)
A few days ago I finished reading After Life in Roman Paganism by legendary French historian of religion Franz Cumont. The book publishes lectures originally delivered in English at Yale University in 1921. My copy, a Dover Publications paperback edition from 1959, originally cost $1.35, was designed to last for a long time in a [...]
Defying Gravity
Saw the pilot and first episode (both aired Aug. 2nd in a two hour opening special) of the new ABC show Defying Gravity (I watched it for free on-line). I think it’s pretty interesting. I’ll report back later with some thoughts on it.