Monthly Archives: September 2011

Iain Provan, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman: The Cuttlefish of Old Testament studies

Provan, Long, and Longman: The Cuttlefish of Old Testament studies Recently, Christopher Heard provided a short review of A Biblical History of Israel by Iain Provan, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman. He astutely observes that the longest sections in the book … Continue reading

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Filed under Ancient Jewish texts

Remnant of Giants is currently The Most Popular Old Testament / Hebrew Bible Blog in the World

Gigantology has never been more popular. According to The Biblioblog Reference Library, Remnant of Giants is the most popular “Hebrew Bible / Old Testament & Judaism” blog in the known world. When it comes to the Tanach, this, ladies and gentlemen, is … Continue reading

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Filed under Ancient Jewish texts, Biblical Giants, Film, Goliath, Macrophilia

The six most amazing giant killings ever

Following Arsenal’s come-from-behind win against minnows Shrewsbury Town, Asylum lists “The six most amazing giant killings ever”. Their list includes mythical giants, not sports victories: Brutus and Cornelius vs. Gogmagog; Vanatühi vs. Tõell the Great; Jack vs. Cormoran the Cornish giant; … Continue reading

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Filed under Goliath

Not In Bed with the Troops – John Pilger’s The War You Don’t See (2010)

John Pilger’s 2010 film, The War You Don’t See, examines how US and UK media aid and abet the rapacious wars of the Anglo-American Empire that continue today in Afghanistan and Iraq. I’ll make some popcorn this evening, and settle … Continue reading

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Filed under War, Violence & Business

Why Jesus was a Giant: The Messianic Interpretation of Psalm 18(19) in Gosp. Peter 10.38-42

The early Christian gospels frequently narrate certain events in the life of Jesus as though they were prophetic “fulfilments” of the (Old Testament) scriptures. Some of these purported fulfilments involve very wooden and (for us, perhaps) unusual interpretations of the Old Testament. For example, in … Continue reading

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Filed under Psalm 19.6

David and Goliath as lovers in Caravaggio, Paul Cadmus, Charlie White, Matthew Stone, and David Dalla Venezia

In one of a series of depictions of David and Goliath, the Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610) painted David holding the freshly decapitated, blood-dripping head of Goliath: The well-known twist to this panting is that … Continue reading

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Filed under 1 Samuel 17, Goliath, Painting, Photography

The Brick Testament: Old Testament Collection (Genesis-Kings) to be Published

For years, The Brick Testament has entertained us with its online portrayal of biblical stories, lovingly recreated with Lego bricks and figurines. Now, the entire Genesis-Kings collection is to be published in book form. Brendan Powell Smith’s The Brick Bible: A New Spin on the Old … Continue reading

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Filed under 1 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 21, 23, Anakim, Deuteronomy 3, Goliath, Ishbi-Benob, Joshua 11, Literature, Nephilim

Captain Israel: Comic book nationalism at its most stupid

All of the myths of the modern state of Israel are on display in a new comic book which is available online: Captain Israel. Join Captain Israel as he creates a historical narrative in which Israel creates an oasis what was … Continue reading

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Filed under 1 Samuel 17, Ancient Jewish texts, Comic books, Goliath

Jean-Fabrice Nardelli corrects Robert Gagnon’s simplistic Answers to Emails on the Bible and Homosexuality

A guest post from Jean-Fabrice Nardelli, on Robert Gagnon, “academic turned Ayatollah”: _________________________________________________________ In the latest snippet of his correspondance showcased on his website, Gagnon once more claims that the scriptural case against homosexual practice is so overwhelming that it … Continue reading

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Scott Derrickson’s Goliath: Respecting the Original

In an article on Scott Derrickson’s forthcoming movie adaptation of the David and Goliath story, Carmen Andrés – former editor of US Mennonite Brethren magazine, CL: Christian Leader -  hopes that the director will “respect the original story”. What does she mean by respecting the original … Continue reading

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Filed under 1 Samuel 17, Film, Goliath