Loading...This won’t be full post, as I’m taking the day off. But I did want to thank everyone who responded to my question about how the blog was going. If you haven’t responded yet, feel free to do so! I do want to hear from you.
There were two comments that have recurred repeatedly that I want to deal with.
- Lots of people have expressed a wish that there was a search function for the blog. And, well, there is! If you’ll go the upper right side of your screen on any post, you’ll see a magnifying glass. Click that. You can search for anything you like.
- Others have said that they would like a topical catalogue of posts. There is a *rough* one that is indeed always available, as you’ll see by going to the Member Landing Page or by clicking on Latest Posts. Topics are broad: Greco-Roman Religions; New Testament Gospels; Paul and Pauline Letters; etc. If you are interested in a different, more specific topic, just search for it using the search function.
Thanks again for all the comments, and always feel free to tell us more about how we can improve.
I think it’s okay if you cover a topic that you covered already from more than 1.5 years ago since the new bloggers probably didn’t read it.
I saw on your calendar of speaking engagements that you were at Harrisena Community Church in Queensbury, NY back on October 24-26, 2014. I couldn’t find anything on Harrisena’s web site about you visit. I just wondered how the visit went and what you talked about.
They cancelled. And didn’t bother to tell me! (Only when I inquired: Uh, are we still on?)
Maybe move the search box right below the main menu bar. The very first time I looked for it I had to look and look and look for it….
HI Dr. Ehrman!
I just joined your blog a few weeks ago and I want you to know I’m very happy with it. I read the posts every day and you answered a question I sent in even though it wasn’t pertinent to that day’s post. I have been interested in Christianity in antiquity for about 25 years and up until now I felt that only Elaine Pagels had anything to say about it that was truly informative. Your lectures, books, and posts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
This doesn’t pertain to the blog itself, which I like just fine, but back to the Nazareth vs. Bethlehem question. I’ve seen you address it in a number of books, blog posts, and Great Courses lectures, but I don’t remember you ever mentioning the only Bethlehem reference in the Fourth Gospel. In John 7:40-43 there is an argument about whether Jesus is the Prophet. The skeptics point out that scripture says Messiah is to come from Bethlehem, not Galilee. Nobody, including the author, refutes the objection. Could this be an indication that the author of the Fourth Gospel did not know about the Bethlehem stories? Or maybe that the Bethlehem story was so well known that he expected readers to be in on the joke? Either way it’s an interesting take on the question.
Yup, both options have been seriously proposed!
Prof Ehrman
I am pleased with the success of the blog and am happy overall with the way things are going. I do enjoy the “thread” approach. And it’s inevitable you will cover the same ground at times in the posts because some issues bear reexamination.
My only suggestion would be to add a bibliography page or a “For Further Reading” section. You’ve suggested books or commentaries in response to occasional requests. Incorporate that kind of thing into the process. I know I’m not the only poster who has read enough to be past the introductory stage and while not a scholar is interested in going down further into the “weeds”. But of course the literature is vast and I basically have little sense of what is valuable, what is ok, and what is rubbish. I notice who gets interviewed by the media when some biblically related news story comes out. I notice who makes the best seller lists. But who do YOU take seriously about such subjects? What are the classics of the field? Who is doing the seminal work in any specialty? Your guidance is much appreciated.
thx
Hi Bart, you did mention, I think?, that your blog had an automatic reply system to senders of mail. If so, then the webmaster needs to have a look at its function as I sent you a message a few days ago and received nothing back.
Re the blog content. I prefer to see a fresh response to a question. Whilst it may be the same answer as in the past I have not the time to hunt around.
Without doubt your writing style is easy to comprehend in contrast with John Dominic Crossan. I read your blog late at night and it makes sense where Cossan’s must be read early in the morning and only on the weekend 🙂
Cheers
Bryan
I don’t think we have an auto reply for mail. Mail sent to me personally gets an automatic reply.
I should have read myself up to date before posting my reply to the prior day’s, which I just did, two days after its posting and a day after this follow-up. It seems that the only two things I could think to suggest were the most popular requests and maybe I didn’t need to add one more of the same two requests. Ah well…
Hi Bart. Not a big issue at all, but is there any way of going straight to your latest post. I know I can scroll down, but I am so lazy! :). Thanks again for all you are doing. Just read “God’s Problem”. Excellent!!!
Click on the Tab “Latest Posts”
Hello Bart, The site indeed has a search function if you are logged in on a desktop. However, the search function is not available on mobile devices. You can have your webmaster/developer test the way things appear on the blog across multiple devices at once at a site like this one. http://quirktools.com/screenfly/
Thanks — we’ll look into it.
Bart, what I like the most are your very regular posts. Since I do not participate in the discussion forums yet, I have no idea what my subscription renewal date is. Maybe you registration page could accommodate renewals (same username, password). Then you could track the percent of member renewals, which I’m confident will be high. … Thanks.
Keep it going! Love the blog!
It’s OK to revisit issues with me.
Make the search icon bigger and move to centre of the menu bar. Include the words “Search here for keywords…” to make it clear.
Thanks for educating me about the “magnifying glass.’ I was looking for your discussion of why the Gospels are not thought to have been written by eyewitnesses and will search for it.