Should Seminary and Doctoral Students seek to be published?

David Black offers his thoughts on how to think about writing for larger audiences. I agree.

His summary points are here:

1) If it’s worth writing, it’s worth publishing.

    2) Review, review, review.

    3) Set goals.

    4) Respect the scholarly guild, but don’t fear it.

    5) Shoot for the stars.

    6) Consider publishing your own website.

Shared at this link from Energion Publications.

Blog Links on Hebrew Language (& Greek)

I try to keep tabs on good (great!) resources on reading/learning Biblical Hebrew on the Web.

I just found this from morechrist.blogspot.com with some great links - and want to archive it for myself - and share it for any who might have interest!

Shalom!

The Shema & Monotheism

The Biblical Archaeology Society has just posted about a new discovery of a Jewish amulet, related to the Shema of Israel, originally in Hebrew, but found in Greek.

The article includes these lines:

In the groundbreaking book The Birth of Monotheism: The Rise and Disappearance of Yahwism, André Lemaire, a world-renowned expert on the ancient world, explores the development of perhaps the most important idea in the history of mankind: the concept of a single, universal God.
 
What is an early monotheistic Shema‘ Yisrael doing near Carnuntum? Lange and Eshel illustrate that Carnuntum had a well-integrated Jewish population that stated their religion openly. The Jewish population would have known how to recite the Shema‘ Yisrael, but most likely did not know how to write in Hebrew.

Lange and Eshel conclude that:  "To our knowledge the Halbturn amulet is the first text that renders the Hebrew word ehad (אחד) with the number “1.” This numerical representation of the final word of the Shema‘leaves no doubt about how the Jewish craftsman who made the Halbturn amulet understood the Shema‘ Yisrael —as a monotheistic statement! Only the Lord is God; there is no other God."

I'm delighted to have published in my second book,  my spiritual reflections on Shema since this text has been important, used widely by Believers throughout the centuries!

 

Two Random Bits

• In the past few days I had unique opportunity to use a mentorship relationship to "correct" and "direct" a young person.  Based on his maturity, and our relationship of reciprocity, he readily listened and appropriately received the counsel I offered.  I've already seen him shift in small ways in response to my counsel - and I genuinely believe his life and his relationships will be better as a result.  I'm proud of him - and happy for him - and thankful for opportunities to help others . . . I hope!  =)

• In recent days I've reflected often on a great maxim for life that I learned from my mom.  "Just because it's a great deal, doesn't mean it's a great deal for you."  Wise words, I use often when I do not buy or do not acquire things!