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.

Neologism: “Little Orphan Ibid.”

Posted on 17 December 2014 by Benj

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

Posted on 17 December 2014 by Benj

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

Posted on 15 December 2014 by Benj

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 →

Posted in Bible-Theology, Culture-Economics-Society, Research | Tagged | 1 Comment

Links: 12 December 2014

Posted on 12 December 2014 by Benj

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…

Posted on 11 December 2014 by Benj

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 →

Posted in Culture-Economics-Society, Research | Tagged | 1 Comment

Thirty

Posted on 9 December 2014 by Benj

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

Posted on 5 December 2014 by Benj

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

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Links: 5 December 2014

Posted on 5 December 2014 by Benj

Feast Your Eyes on This Beautiful Linguistic Family Tree | Mental Floss. This might explain why the Lithuanian language is so difficult for me! Lithuanian and Latvian are among the most conservative languages, i.e., they retain a great many features … Continue reading →

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Sermon: “Pauliaus Svajonė”

Posted on 2 December 2014 by Benj

The audio for my sermon, “Pauliaus Svajonė (Paul’s Dream),” is now posted on the website of Kauno Laisvųjų Krikščionių Bažnyčia (Kaunas Free Christian Church). The text is Romans 15:14-33. Unfortunately, there seems to have been an issue with the audio, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible-Theology, Giffones in Lithuania | Leave a comment

Why Missionaries Can Never Go Home Again

Posted on 1 December 2014 by Benj

An interesting piece entitled, “Why Missionaries Can Never Go Home Again.”

Posted in Giffones in Lithuania | Leave a comment