Tag: verse

Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac

Throughout the book of Genesis, YHWH has been telling Abraham that his descendants will one day possess the land of Canaan, which usually meets with skepticism from Abraham. His sometimes sister, sometimes wife, Sarah, is barren and said to be well beyond the age when women could produce children. YHWH has gone so far as … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Genesis, The Birth of Isaac →

Real Bible Studies: Judges, The Song of Deborah

In Judges 4-5, we meet one of the few women who stands on her own in all of the Old Testament. Deborah isn't just identified as a strong woman, Judges tells us she's leading the Israelites and holds counsel under the Palm of Deborah. She's identified as a prophet, and the wife of Lappidoth. Despite … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Judges, The Song of Deborah →

Real Bible Studies: Kings & Chronicles 

Nowhere is the piecemeal nature of the Bible more evident than in the books detailing the kings of Israel and Judah from the time of David's ascension to the time Babylon sacks Jerusalem and burns the temple. Kings and Chronicles are each broken up into two books, but according to sources, in the Hebrew Bible, … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Kings & Chronicles  →

Not a Love Song: The Tragedy of Juliet

Shakespeare's best known tragedy is the story of two star-crossed lovers, who, in death, end their families' conflict. Despite being hailed as a great romance, Romeo and Juliet is, in no way, a love story, but very much about individual responsibility and the consequences of making decisions in the heat of passion. Romeo is very … Continue reading Not a Love Song: The Tragedy of Juliet →

Alyse Black, Academy Theatre, Hapeville, GA, 14 April 2015

My friend, Alyse Black was in town Tuesday, 14 April and performed at the Academy Theatre in Hapeville, GA. I met Alyse in 2008 when she performed at the Five Spot in Little Five Points, and have been following her career ever since. She's a great singer and songwriter, and her live shows are always … Continue reading Alyse Black, Academy Theatre, Hapeville, GA, 14 April 2015 →

Real Bible Studies: Samson

As a child growing up in the Methodist Church, I learned about Samson, the legendary strongman from Judges, in Sunday School. This Biblical hero looms large in the imagination of believers and non-believers alike both for his strength and his amazing head of hair. What I learned then is that he was really strong, devoted … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Samson →

Myths and Myth Making in Hamlet

Note: This article has been updated and expanded in my essay collection The Cheese Toast Project, available in print from online bookstores, and in print and Kindle at Amazon. Laurence Olivier once referred to Hamlet as the story of a man who can't make up his mind. While there are elements of indecisiveness in Hamlet's … Continue reading Myths and Myth Making in Hamlet →