Are you interested in going beyond reading blog posts on topics connected with the New Testament/early Christianity and in having a chance to interact with other blog members (and a New Testament scholar) on important and interesting topics or biblical passages? It is an option on the blog.  It involves joining a special group called the “Blog Stewards.” We meet once a quarter for a focused seminar.  In advance I pick a topic or important passage of the NT; I write up directions for how one might go about studying it; and I explain some of the lesser known background.  Then we get together remotely for an hour and a half and discuss it all. No one is required to do the “homework.”  Some members just want to sit and listen in while others talk.   Others want to bounce their ideas around. I run it as a seminar, much like I would a university course: I usually begin by making a brief presentation about some of the key issues and puzzling and/or debated [...]

I was so very sorry to announce that we will not be able to do the Cruise on the Nile we had planned for the fall, but Thalassa Journeys has now come up with an alternative that is, well -- how many ways can you say "spectacular?" It is a cruise on a sailing vessel to some of the most gorgeous islands of the Caribbean, January 25-February 1, 2027.  The ship, the Sea Cloud Spirit is amazing (just look it up): 136 passengers (our group will be a part of that), small enough to get into remote places the big cruisers cannot, and large enough to be, well, rather luxurious. There will be great sites, great vistas, fantastic food and drink, and friendly like-minded people in our group who will have intriguing stories and lives, and common interests to discuss to our hearts' content. I will be giving lectures on the cruise on one of my all-time favorite topics:  “The Greatest Manuscript Discoveries of Modern Times.”  Here I will talk about archaeological finds that have revolutionized [...]

In mid-March I announced on the blog that I would be doing a cruise on the Nile (and seeing other interesting parts of Egypt) later in the year.  I am sorry to say that because of the situation in the Middle East, we have decided to cancel the trip.  Or rather, cosmic forces willing, to postpone it.  I very much want to do it ... sometime down the road when potential travellers will be more inclined to go to the region. BUT, I will be doing another trip in its place.  To the Caribbean.  Whoa.  It'll be a good one.  I'll give the details in my next post. For now, the Nile cruise has been canceled.