markfiend

Wow.

As a (mostly) lurker in BC&H I've alway's read Vorkosigan's posts here with a great deal of interest. I've learned a lot, and I want to add my thanks, and pleas for a return to those already expressed.

Amaleq13

Did you read his OP? That certainly isn't the reason he gave. He considers his online activities to constitute a negative influence in his life and has chosen to make a change.

Whether you agree with his self-evaluation or his decision, I think anyone making an effort to better themselves deserves respect.

TedM

Interesting article Ted. I'm curious as to what valid points Michael made with regard to Tabor's book, and why he felt it necessary to remove them from the internet, as well as apologize. Was it a matter of them (good, logical points) being intermingled with rhetoric he now regrets? I'm not trying to stir anything up--I'm interested in his arguments--which are often quite good.

ted

Steven Carr

Many mainstream works are remarkable in their lack of methodology.

I have in mind NT Wright's 700 plus page book on the Resurrection which tries to prove a resurrection of the flesh.

Over 700 pages on trying to prove an early Christian belief in the resurrection of the flesh and never once quoting 1 Peter 1:24 saying 'All flesh is grass' (even in an elliptical footnote referring to the 'positive' side of 1 Peter 1:23-25)


This is not scholarship. Such a metaphor simply must be discussed in any scholarly book claiming that early Christians believed flesh would be made eternal.

Can you imagine the reaction if Earl Doherty wrote a 700 plus page book on his theory and never once quoted 1 Peter saying 'A flesh and blood Jesus walked the earth.'?

There just is no methodology in historical Jesus scholarship.

Steven Carr

Is this a good time to mention that the Secular Web has recently added Tabor's book to its bookstore?

I quote the II page

'In The Jesus Dynasty, biblical scholar James Tabor brings us closer than ever to the historical Jesus. Jesus, as we know, was the son of Mary, a young woman who became pregnant before her marriage to a man named Joseph. The gospels tell us that Jesus had four brothers and two sisters, all of whom probably had a different father than his. He joined a messianic movement begun by his relative John the Baptizer, whom he regarded as his teacher and a great prophet.'

Answerer

The OP might or might not be the exact reasons but the comments made by those theist "scholars" were certainly the major pushing/starting factors. You can't deny that.

At any rate, I also think that some of you guys are being overrated. Vork never said that he will not be coming back. He is only taking an extended leave. (Refer to the OP)

So, just wait for some months for him to think things through.

Apikorus

Of this, there can be no doubt.

Amaleq13

It seems bizarre, if not irrational, to question Michael's stated reasons for his own actions and, IMO, your earlier characterization of his decision continues to be inaccurate. The most one can say is that their comments made him engage in self-reflection which, in turn, prompted him to take some time off.

If you meant "overreacting", I agree.

Answerer

Thanks for correcting my mistake as I can no longer "edit" my post.

Whatever, I had known Vork for quite some years though not really as a friend. Our preceptions of him are obviously different, so there is no point in carrying on with this conversation. Furthermore, he is only taking a break and lets wait for his inevitable return.

spin

Everyone has a right to a university degree in America, even if it's in Hamburger Technology.

- Clive James