In his most recent book, N. T. Wright captures the integration of politics and theology in the Gospels, but his framing of the argument proves problematic on the question of Christianity’s creedal tradition.
I first read The Fall of Interpretation (FoI) in the Fall of 2002. I had learned shortly before the semester had begun that the Philosophy of Language class I had signed up for was going to be taught by a new prof, some young guy who looked like he belonged in an Old Navy catalogue […]
Over the past several days, I have seen at least two dozen friends and acquaintances on Facebook and Twitter post a link to this web comic from The Oatmeal entitled “How To Suck at Your Religion.” This comic, written by Oatmeal founder Matthew Inman, was re-posted several times by friends of mine who are atheists and agnostics […]
It’s really tricky to find a solid rhyme for the word ‘eunuch’. The word ‘futtock’ may be my favorite. Anyway. While I was a T.A. for Will Willimon at Duke, I recall him saying something to the effect that until the church starts saying ‘no’ to heterosexual marriages it will not make any sense for […]
I’m profoundly grateful to these scholars for taking time to carefully, critically, and charitably engage the second edition of The Fall of Interpretation—and in the summer, of all things! This kind of constructive engagement is a real gift to an author, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to continue the conversation by replying to […]
What is “interpretation”? James K. A. Smith has issued a second edition of his first book on its “fall.” Clarifying what exactly interpretation is for Smith is a priority for those who might benefit from reading it, and his later work. We can clearly identify two dimensions to interpretation: first, the ontological conditions for interpretation […]
I took this past week off from the internet. Kinda. Well, mostly just from Facebook and The Amish Jihadist (I did check email on occasion . . . I have students . . . students are needy). But, it was lovely. I surfed. By surfing, I mean I surfed waves–not channels or the internet. I […]
Speaking, in an interview about Once Upon a Time in Anatolia*, about the influence of the works of Chekov, and other literature, on his films: I believe that literature has had more impressions on my filmmaking than cinema. But I don’t feel like making adaptations. They have very different natures. But I always draw benefits […]
It’s been quiet here for a bit. However, we’ve got quite a few posts lined up for the rest of the summer. Starting Monday, we’ll host in 3 substantive interactions with James K.A. Smith’s The Fall of Interpretation, 2nd ed. We’ve invited three reviewers to interact with Jamie’s latest edition of his very first book […]