tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post557189529230138257..comments2024-03-10T10:54:59.776-07:00Comments on Ben Witherington: The Mouments of ArsemeaBen Witheringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-28236595063684714362007-07-03T09:28:00.000-07:002007-07-03T09:28:00.000-07:00BTW, the female statue with the "party hat" and th...BTW, the female statue with the "party hat" and the scroll is Athena (Roman: Diana), goddess of learning!AndyHigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987950156093261915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-33739808093371514242007-06-26T05:19:00.000-07:002007-06-26T05:19:00.000-07:00Dear Dr W,I really appreciate your comments about ...Dear Dr W,<BR/><BR/>I really appreciate your comments about the youth of American society. Another author, Orson Scott Card, recently made a similar point in the fictional realm, in a book called Empire. His ironic point is that the United States is often castigated for being like Rome, and it is often shouted to anyone who will listen that if the USA doesn't change, it will fall like Rome. All this is hard to support, because the United States is not very much like Rome. Rome dominated its world for 500 years BEFORE its fall, and its social structures dominated European society for another millenium AFTER its fall. Conquered peoples clung to Roman ways long after Rome herself was dead; if the US ran out of guns and cash, our wasteful and arrogant style of living would be shed in a generation or two.<BR/><BR/>Another point you made that I appreciated was about the ancients respecting age. I think that had something to do with why primitive Christianity clung to the Hebrew Scriptures and used them extensively even in Gentile settings; these were OLD writings and worthy of honor, study, and emulation.<BR/><BR/>respectfully,<BR/>Nick Gill<BR/>Frankfort, KYFalantedioshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142960942087875045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-90392963301744440592007-06-26T04:11:00.000-07:002007-06-26T04:11:00.000-07:00Hi Kent:I too like the work of Sweet and Webber an...Hi Kent:<BR/><BR/>I too like the work of Sweet and Webber and you are exactly right that they have insight into the future because they have been good students of the past. <BR/><BR/>As for my writing, during the summer I don't do much writing. I am on the road more. I always write at home, and do so with whatever spare time I have. God gave me a gift of writing a long time ago, and a mind that won't rest until a certain amount of things get out of my brain and on to paper. I set a goal a very long time ago to try and write a good commentary on every book of the NT. That goal is not far off. When I get a good idea for a monograph, then I take time to do that. My recent series of three small books, one on baptism, one on the Lord's Supper, one on the Word of God (the latter two will be out in the next year) is an example. Writing is not a chore for me, it is a joy. <BR/><BR/>Here are a few keys to good writing: 1) reading good or great literature. Your style is in part a product of what you read and absorb; 2) learning how to write clearly without comprising the complexities of issues; 3) practice, practice, practice. <BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/><BR/>BW3Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-85952066319395948022007-06-25T18:45:00.000-07:002007-06-25T18:45:00.000-07:00Dear Ben (or Dr. Witheringon - which do you prefer...Dear Ben (or Dr. Witheringon - which do you prefer?),<BR/><BR/>This series of posts is really fascinating. How long is your current trip, and what other places are you expecting to visit?<BR/><BR/>I love your comments about the importance of knowing and learning from history. I have often wondered why the US feels it can solve the problems in the Middle East, especially since they are conflicts that go back a very long time, and are tied to religion. I don't know that there will ever be peace in that region until Jesus returns!<BR/><BR/>I have recently been reading/listening to a lot of material by both Leonard Sweet and Robert Webber - two very insightful men who have helped us understand the future of the church, and what is happening in postmodern culture. It recently occurred to me that both of them are probably so insightful about the present and future because they have done extensive study in church history. How important is the study of history to us if we really want to have understanding?<BR/><BR/>One more question that is unrelated... I have really appreciated all your writings. You have an amazing amount of "output." Can you give us some insight into your writing routine--i.e. do you write for an hour or two a day, etc.? How do you manage to produce so much material, especially when it's research-based?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the blog - it's great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-32743977560567664352007-06-25T18:16:00.000-07:002007-06-25T18:16:00.000-07:00Hi DR. Witherington:I hear that some befuddled man...Hi DR. Witherington:<BR/><BR/>I hear that some befuddled man call u early in the morning. I thnink hi s name my be Bance Biller. I happen to know this guy somewhat and am wondering if u'd be albe to meet w/ me sometime soon and discuss this issue/man alongside this current rise in political "Honesty" and "openness". The political world is surely changing,but i'm not so sure that it's doing it for the best. THE besassat seems to moving his head up upon the surface.<BR/><BR/>So how bout it, Dr.W? Want to meet?<BR/><BR/>LM IIITBBUCShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119523394290193269noreply@blogger.com