Freethought & Rationalism Archive

TheGreatInfidel · 08-13-2003, 11:52 PM

Would anyone know whether this is a legitimate journal or is it fundamentalist? I ask because it occured to me to subsribe to it, but the last thing I need is more fundie flapdoodle.

Toto · 08-14-2003, 12:10 AM

Are you referring to the Biblical Archeolgy Review? Look at the threads on the Ossuary (check the sticky at the top of this forum.) The publisher of BAR (still promoting the ossuary AFAIK) is not a fundy, but makes a good living from the fundies.

There are people on this forum with very strong opinions on BAR.

Peter Kirby · 08-14-2003, 12:17 AM

Pros:

- Articles are easy to read.
- Subject of biblical archaeology covered more than in other mags.

Cons:

- Articles can't be cited in an academic paper (without being frowned upon a bit).
- Not cutting edge, highly technical, or lengthy and detailed.
- Got to cross-check stuff that confirms beliefs. For example, they tout the James Ossuary and Jehoash Inscription. On the flip side, little is presented that might be taken to be subversive to faith.

Shanks is the editor.

Best bet: find a local university and photocopy journal articles for free (edit: oops, I mean for ten cents a page. It feels free though.

). For popular NT stuff, there is The Fourth R from Westar, which contains no "fundie flapdoodle".

best,
Peter Kirby

Secular Pinoy · 08-14-2003, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Kirby
For popular NT stuff, there is The Fourth R from Westar, which contains no "fundie flapdoodle".

I was going to recommend this as well. I've read several of the online articles from their website (which changes periodically) and I came away impressed with the readability of the articles and the insights of the authors. I haven't read much on BAR, though they seem to have lost some credibility for their endorsement of the James Ossuary.

CX · 08-15-2003, 07:29 AM

I subscribe to BAR. It is very enjoyable to read, but it is not a serious journal and it generally contains much that smacks of a confessional stance. Even so it usually has some good stuff in every issue as long as you are careful to filter out the apologetics.

Doctor X · 08-15-2003, 11:55 AM

I will actually offer some apology for BAR--"Brother of Jesus' Porta-Potty" notwithstanding. . . .

They are a popular magazine--color--expensive to produce. Their main audience is not going to be atheistic biblical scholars. The majority--unless I am missing a "reader's survey" somewhere--will have some belief.

"Some belief" is nowadays an "apology." Junior was "somehow" a "great teacher" even though no one noticed him when he was alive. "Look for the deeper meaning. . . ."

At least they are presenting some of the major problems to "da public." Does that excuse excesses like the "Porta-Potty?"

No. In this way they are like Discovery and The History Channel which skirts around issues like the "historical junior" and "was Moses a myth" stuff.

--J.D.

08-13-2003, 11:52 PM	#1
TheGreatInfidel Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 183	Fundie flapdoodle? Would anyone know whether this is a legitimate journal or is it fundamentalist? I ask because it occured to me to subsribe to it, but the last thing I need is more fundie flapdoodle.

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08-14-2003, 12:10 AM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Are you referring to the Biblical Archeolgy Review? Look at the threads on the Ossuary (check the sticky at the top of this forum.) The publisher of BAR (still promoting the ossuary AFAIK) is not a fundy, but makes a good living from the fundies. There are people on this forum with very strong opinions on BAR.

08-14-2003, 12:17 AM	#3
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	Pros: - Articles are easy to read. - Subject of biblical archaeology covered more than in other mags. Cons: - Articles can't be cited in an academic paper (without being frowned upon a bit). - Not cutting edge, highly technical, or lengthy and detailed. - Got to cross-check stuff that confirms beliefs. For example, they tout the James Ossuary and Jehoash Inscription. On the flip side, little is presented that might be taken to be subversive to faith. Shanks is the editor. Best bet: find a local university and photocopy journal articles for free (edit: oops, I mean for ten cents a page. It feels free though. ). For popular NT stuff, there is The Fourth R from Westar, which contains no "fundie flapdoodle". best, Peter Kirby

08-15-2003, 07:29 AM	#5
CX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Portlandish Posts: 2,829	I subscribe to BAR. It is very enjoyable to read, but it is not a serious journal and it generally contains much that smacks of a confessional stance. Even so it usually has some good stuff in every issue as long as you are careful to filter out the apologetics.

08-15-2003, 11:55 AM	#6
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	I will actually offer some apology for BAR--"Brother of Jesus' Porta-Potty" notwithstanding. . . . They are a popular magazine--color--expensive to produce. Their main audience is not going to be atheistic biblical scholars. The majority--unless I am missing a "reader's survey" somewhere--will have some belief. "Some belief" is nowadays an "apology." Junior was "somehow" a "great teacher" even though no one noticed him when he was alive. "Look for the deeper meaning. . . ." At least they are presenting some of the major problems to "da public." Does that excuse excesses like the "Porta-Potty?" No. In this way they are like Discovery and The History Channel which skirts around issues like the "historical junior" and "was Moses a myth" stuff. --J.D.

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