6 Comments

Do you think a typological / symbolic approach could (better?) resolve the classic harmonization problem of the sending of the twelve, particularly the allowed/forbidden items such as the staff in Mark 6:8, Matthew 10:10 and Luke 9:3? I hope I am remembering their commentaries on Mark correctly, but I believe France (2002) and Stein (2008) claim that there have been no convincing explanations for the differences in these texts. However, the approach you outline here seems more promising, though I wouldn't know how to apply it in this context. Do you have any comments or suggested reading here? (If you cover this in your audio commentary, just let me know and I'll take a listen later.)

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To my mind, that would be a primary line of enquiry. Difficulties of harmonization can often be relieved in such a manner.

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You gotta love any city where you can hear John Dowland busking.

What a fascinating insight into the Samaritan woman!

I admit that until I read your reference to McGrew it hadn't occurred to me that "artless" reportage and symbolism could be at odds with one another. I wonder if we tend to smuggle in the notion of "artless" to pay homage to the pretense of neutrality which even the wisest of us lean upon from time to time, like a broken reed. Who really wants anything done or spoken, even quotidian things, to be artless?

Nuptial themes seem to be smacking me upside the head a lot, recently. I need to learn more about engagement practices in bible times so I can understand those themes more properly and avoid making bad inferences from our modern practices.

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It was dizzying enough to read the life updates, how much more loving it. I am praying now for a calmer and more restful fall season for y’all--despite the calendar’s demands.

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Thank you! It really was great to meet you in Birmingham.

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Thanks for the phrase, implicit “underlying typological root system.” That’s helpful.

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