Orion, the Bear and the Pleiades (Job 38)

I have an old telescope, through which I've spent many hours observing and photographing the sky. An old blog of mine, Catching the Sky, has many of my photos and observations. I've been looking through my photos and journals in recent days, partly inspired by Tom McLeish's book, Faith and Wisdom in Science. His book … Continue reading Orion, the Bear and the Pleiades (Job 38)

Edward Greenstein’s reading of Job

Back in December I read a recent translation of the Book of Job, by Professor Edward L. Greenstein. It's an iconoclastic translation in which Job remains unrepentant even after God's speeches. I liked Greenstein's translation of the poetry of Job, and I'll end this post with a taste of that. First I'd like like to … Continue reading Edward Greenstein’s reading of Job

Tom McLeish on Science and the Book of Job

Tom McLeish's blog, Faith and Wisdom In Science, offers a scientist's perspective on the Book of Job. As a believer and scientist, McLeish argues that there is no necessary conflict between religion and science, which is a welcome message in these times. He has a lot of material on the Book of Job. He writes … Continue reading Tom McLeish on Science and the Book of Job

Podcast with Robert Alter and David Bentley Hart

My two favorite, and possibly the best, translators of the Bible today were interviewed together on a podcast about a year ago: https://mindingscripture.com/episode-4-translation-of-scripture/ Speaking broadly and perhaps simply, Robert Alter produced a translation of the Hebrew Bible that shows in English that the original was great literature, while David Bentley Hart produced a New Testament … Continue reading Podcast with Robert Alter and David Bentley Hart

Koheleth and Tolstoy

February 1, 2021 Reading “Koheleth” and Tolstoy's “Confession” back-to-back lifts both works for me.  Both works struggle with the fact that death is coming for everyone.  Both observe constantly how the good and the wicked have random rewards in this life; both hang on to the idea of knowledge/wisdom while questioning both its extent and … Continue reading Koheleth and Tolstoy