Author Archives: Benj

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About Benj

I’m a native North Jerseyan, transplanted to Pennsylvania...lived and taught in Eastern Europe for six years…Old Testament professor, author, minister, musician, liturgist…husband to Corrie…father to Daniel and Elizabeth.

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Finished! Continue reading

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Important Questions

In the spirit of the shortest day of the year, snuggle up inside with a hot beverage of choice, and your favorite book or comedy videos, and ponder these difficult questions. Continue reading

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Links: 19 December 2014

Much in this essay resonates with my experience and current tendencies: My Journey Away from Contemporary Worship Music. A Lehrer-esque take on a Gilbert & Sullivan classic: I Am the Very Model of a Biblical Philologist. My exposure to Eastern … Continue reading

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Neologism: “Little Orphan Ibid.”

Little Orphan Ibid. [lit-l awr-fuhn ib-id]: n. 1. An occurrence of ‘Ibid.’ (ibidem, "in the same place") in a research footnote which–though incredibly cute and endearing–has lost its parent citation due to excision or rearrangement of body material. A little … Continue reading

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Creeping Darkness

As I arose on this first morning of Hanukkah, the sky was black, as usual. Sunrise was officially 9:01 in Klaipėda, and sunset will be 4:02pm. We have only four more days of decreasing sunlight in the northern hemisphere, and … Continue reading

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Why Is Plagiarism So Bad? A Comparison to Ancient Literature

Why am I as a professor so panicked about students following–for example–the authors of the New Testament in quoting without quotation marks, or alluding without footnotes? Continue reading

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Links: 12 December 2014

Gary Schnittjer’s website has many resources for learning about Scripture and its contexts. If you didn’t already know that democracy has jumped the shark, here’s proof. Chris Brady, Lamentations scholar and bereaved father, has written a very thoughtful piece: How … Continue reading

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Dear Undergraduate Student…

I am pleased that you have chosen to take my course this term. I would like to communicate to you my expectations for our time spent together…. Continue reading

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Thirty

Today is my thirtieth birthday. If I were an ancient Levite, I would now be eligible for service at the tent of meeting (Num 4). According to Jewish tradition, I am now permitted to read the Song of Songs… Continue reading

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Teaching Hebrew Bible in Eastern Europe

My observations on teaching Hebrew and Hebrew Bible in Lithuania so far… Continue reading

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