Bob Webb's blog

For the past 10 years, members if IBR (Institute for Biblical Research) who specialize in historical Jesus research and Gospel studies have met to discuss essays written by group members. The focus has been upon 12 key events in the life of Jesus and their significance. These are the twelve we've examined, and the scholar who provided the essay are as follows:

The latest issue of the Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus is just out (volume 6, issue 1). As editor of this Journal I've always been pleased with its contents, but this issue is particularly interesting in its diversity: there is something for everyone. One of the features of this Journal that I've tried to stress is to foster conversation among the diversity of scholars involved in this field. Each of these essays involves such conversation in one way or another. The table of contents includes:

BBC is airing a new Jesus movie, The Passion, over the Easter season in four episodes (specifically March 16, 17, 21, 23). Broadcast information may be found on the BBC website here. A TimesOnLIne article on the film, "The BBC's bold new interpretation of The Passion," may be read here.

The debate concerning the authenticity of "Secret Mark" has certainly not abated. Two items indicate this: (1) a recent panel discussion, and (2) a forthcoming article in the Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus.

The Christian calendar is coming up to Easter soon (and it is in Lent). One of the questions that often arises is, why do the Eastern and Western Churches often have Easter on different dates? And why doesn't Easter always take place at the same time as Passover?

James Charlesworth has written another article, "Rebutting Sensational Claims Concerning a Symposium in Jerusalem" and it is posted on the SBL website. In it he claims that the good work of the Symposium "has been high-jacked by two disturbing and unexpected developments."

There is a very interesting essay In the latest issue of the Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus by John H. Elliott, "Jesus the Israelite Was Neither a 'Jew' nor a 'Christian': On Correcting Misleading Nomenclature." This is the abstract of the essay: 

The faculty of the University of Holy Land Studies have recently posted two blogs commenting on the handwriting style of the ossuary inscription here and here. Note also the humorous cartoon in the most recent one. It is good sometimes to find a little humour in these debates!

Hi,

I wanted to introduce myself as one of the bloggers contributing to PrimeTimeJesus. Thanks to Darrell Bock for this opportunity. I do hope that I will be able to make some small contribution. So let me tell you a little about myself.