The Bible in 50 Words . . .

Interesting video from Igniter Media over on YouTube-
The Bible in 50 Words (and many of them rhyme!)

What would your 50 words be if you were telling the Bible story?
What would you include? What would you leave out?

Where’d they get the donkey?

A fun and imaginative take on the story in Mark 11:1-7:

You can find more at Applecart’s Hermeneutubes. (Thanks to revster’s ramblings for pointing me to it)

A Blessed Easter to all!

Translating the Hebrew Bible: Robert Alter

We have quoted Robert Alter’s work from time to time in the Critical Background. He is one of the most distinguished contemporary scholars of the Hebrew Bible.

This last year he was the featured speaker at the annual “Reading of the Sacred Texts” event at the Graduate Theological Union. Here’s the video of his presentation, as he reflects on the challenges and pleasures of translating the Hebrew Bible.

Robert Alter, Translating the Hebrew Bible: The Challenges and the Pleasures from GTU Archives on Vimeo.

Bible Workbench: Lent 1, February 21, 2010

Text : Deuteronomy 26:1-11

This is a video originally filmed by ABC reporter John Quinones.  It is a discomfiting look at the response in a Texas coffee shop to a woman wearing a hijab, who is refused service there.

Who here is the alien who resides among us?  The Egyptian who treated us harshly?  Our ancestor? What more might you know about being an alien or being an Egyptian than you knew before?

- Beth Harrison