Missing in Action?

I know I have not been blogging for a while - to be precise, 24 days - and this has given rise to speculation of my missing in action.

Some say I have found a girlfriend and am now busy spending time with her (you wonder how people can come up with such a reason!).

Some say I have been too busy having vacation (can one be too busy vacationing?).

For whatever reasons, I have been busy - and I have been away from home for some time.

But I am now back. And I am back blogging. More to come soon!

Busy TEE Weekend

Over the next two weekends (8-10th May and 15-17 May), I will be busy teaching a course on Biblical Interpretation for the seminary's Theological Education by Extension programme at the Petaling Jaya/Kuala Lumpur centre.

As at last count, there are a total of 25 students who have signed up for the course. The number for this class is slightly bigger than usual, partly due to the fact that this is a core course for the TEE programme.

I look forward to having a good time with the students this coming two weekends. It's no rest for the wicked budding NT scholar!

Publish or Perish? OR Publish then Perish?

Some months ago, I had a rather interesting conversation with a faculty member teaching in a theological institution in the country. The conversation went something like this:

Lecturer A: "So what have you been busy lately?"
KY: "Proof reading my book, and at the same time, hoping to get my other book done by September."
Lecturer A: "Why are you so busy writing books?"
KY joked: "As an academician, its either publish or perish!"
Lecturer A: "You should stop writing and go and do some ministry."
KY: Speechless......

What is ministry? Isn't book writing also constitutes a form of ministry? Since when do we have such a narrow view of 'ministry'? Is this an indication of the health of our theological institutions in the nation?

Some food for thought

Moving From Youth Camps to Family Camps.....

About 6-10 years ago, I used to speak regularly at youth and young adults meetings and camps. These days, there is hardly (if any) invitation to speak at youth and young adults meetings and camps.

But on the other hard, I find invitations to speak at family camps have been increasing in recent months.

What does this suggest? It can only mean one thing - that I am fast aging.....

Review of Biblical Literature, 29 April 2009

The following new reviews have been added to the Review of Biblical Literature:

William S. Campbell, Peter S. Hawkins, and Brenda Deen Schildgen, eds.
Medieval Readings of Romans
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6528
Reviewed by Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton

Adrian Curtis
Oxford Bible Atlas
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6734
Reviewed by George Athas

Lois M. Farag
St. Cyril of Alexandria, a New Testament Exegete: His Commentary on the Gospel of John
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6274
Reviewed by Hennie Stander

Terence E. Fretheim
Abraham: Trials of Family and Faith
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6633
Reviewed by Hallvard Hagelia

Susan Haber; edited by Adele Reinhartz
"They Shall Purify Themselves": Essays on Purity in Early Judaism
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6736
Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Justin K. Hardin
Galatians and the Imperial Cult: A Critical Analysis of the First-Century Social Context of Paul's Letter
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6651
Reviewed by Mark D. Nanos

Susan R. Holman, ed.
Wealth and Poverty in Early Church and Society
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6597
Reviewed by Preston M. Sprinkle

Cornelia B. Horn and Robert R. Phenix Jr., eds. and trans.
John Rufus: The Lives of Peter the Iberian, Theodosius of Jerusalem, and the Monk Romanus
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6705
Reviewed by Pauline Allen

Henry Ansgar Kelly
Satan: A Biography
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5590
Reviewed by James A. Metzger

Dale B. Martin
Pedagogy of the Bible: An Analysis and Proposal
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6609
Reviewed by Renate Viveen Hood

R. J. R. Plant
Good Figs, Bad Figs: Judicial Differentiation in the Book of Jeremiah
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6432
Reviewed by C.A. Strine

Regards croisés sur la Bible: Études sur le point de vue (Actes du IIIe colloque international du Réseau de recherche en narrativité biblique Paris, 8-10 juin 2006)
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6101
Reviewed by Jean-François Racine

Kenneth Schenck
Cosmology and Eschatology in Hebrews: The Settings of the Sacrifice
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6593
Reviewed by Jason A. Whitlark

F. Scott Spencer
The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6499
Reviewed by Gregory E. Sterling

Ivar Vegge
2 Corinthians-A Letter about Reconciliation: A Psychagogical, Epistolographical and Rhetorical Analysis
http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=6980
Reviewed by Laurence Welborn

Off to Camp

In a short while, I will be heading off to Harvest Haven, Gopeng, speaking in a family camp. I am looking forward to having a good time with members of the Faith Evangelical Free Church.

University of Glasgow: NT Position

This announcement came through the BNTS e-list.
University of Glasgow announces an NT Position. Sounds pretty exciting!

-------------------------------------

Job Details: Lecturer in New Testament, University of Glasgow

Reference Number: 00024-1

Location: Main Campus (Gilmorehill)

Faculty/ Services: Faculty of Arts

Department: Theology and Religious Studies

Job Family: Research & Teaching

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: £31,513 - £35,469 (grade 7)

Job Purpose: To actively contribute to teaching at taught masters and undergraduate level, to supervise postgraduate students and to undertake research and administration as directed by the Head of Department


Main Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Contribute to the organisation and delivery of the taught masters and undergraduate programme in New Testament.

2. Maintain and further develop research profile through high quality internationally recognised publications and support the departmental research strategy.

3. Prepare grant applications and secure grant funding in a manner that supports and enhances the academic profile of the Department.

4. Share in the supervision of postgraduate students

5. Supervise individual student projects and assist with difficulties e.g. learning support/problems.

6. Contribute to the development of the curriculum in a manner that supports a research led approach to student learning.

7. Engage in professional development as appropriate

8. Participate fully in the assessment process (using a variety of methods and techniques) and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning

9. Undertake departmental administration as requested and supported by the Head of Department.


Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 Good first degree and PhD in subject related area.
A2 Excellent emerging research profile
A3 Comprehensive and up to date knowledge of research within subject area
A4 An interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching in biblical studies
Desirable
B1 Ability to make personal contribution to departmental specialisms in research and teaching. These include: dialogue between religion and contemporary critical theory; religion in relation to literature and the arts; religion and contemporary society.
B2 Be able to contribute to courses in early Christianity

Skills
C1 Excellent communication skills both orally and written.
C2 Good interpersonal skills
C3 Time/project management skills
C4 Ability to work as part of a team
C5 Ability to work with little supervision

Experience
Essential
E1 At least 1-2 years teaching experience at a postdoctoral level: Desirable
F1 Postgraduate teaching experience

Job Features

Planning and Organising
Reactive - Daily queries from departmental staff/students.
Plan and organise administrative duties on an ongoing basis

Decision Making
Prioritise own work.
Experimental design.
Decide on choice of journal for publication of research and
conferences to attend.
Content of course(s)

Internal/External Relationships
Internal
Head of Department for exchanging information, research strategy, learning and teaching strategy.
Staff/Research students to advise and motivate.
U/G students for teaching and learning support.
Academic support services for appropriate advice and for exchanging information.
Student support services, to exchange information, refer/support students.

External
Grant funding bodies (income generation)
Journals (publishing)

Problem Solving
Act as first point of contact for problems/enquiries from students involved with area of teaching/research.
Assist postgraduate students with problems relating to research.

Standard Terms & Conditions
The salary will start at the first point on the Research and Teaching grade, level 7, Scale £30,763 - £34,625 per annum.

The successful applicant (if aged under 60) will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits.

All research and related activities, including grants, donations, clinical trials, contract research, consultancy and commercialisation are required to be managed through the University’s relevant processes (e.g. contractual and financial), in accordance with the University Court’s policies.

Probation Period
Lecturers, on appointment, will normally be required to serve a period of probation; exceptionally Senior Lecturers might be required to serve a period of probation, particularly when they have had no previous university experience. The period of probation, which will normally be three years, may be reduced or waived by the Director of Human Resources on the recommendation of the Appointing Committee having regard for the previous experience of the person appointed.

In exceptional circumstances, when an appointee to a Lectureship has no postgraduate degree or has not worked in a lower level academic position the Appointing Committee can recommend that 4 years of probation be completed.

Relocation assistance may be provided where appropriate

INTERVIEWS FOR THIS POST WILL TAKE PLACE DURING WEEK COMMENCING 22 JUNE 2009

Lost in Translation Conference

LOST IN TRANSLATION: STUDIES OF THE SEPTUAGINT AND BEYOND IN HONOUR OF JENNY DINES
A One Day Conference
Heythrop College, University of London

All papers will take place in the Walker Room, 2nd Floor, Main Building


Wednesday 24th of June 2009
9:30-10:10:
Registration and Tea/Coffee (Walker Room)

The morning papers will be chaired by Dr Ann Jeffers, Heythrop College.

10:10:
Introduction

10:10-10:50:
Sarah Pearce, University of Southampton
"Philo's 'Family Values'".

10:50-11:30:
Charlotte Hempel, University of Birmingham
The Qumran Yahad in Recent Scholarship.

11:30-12:20:
Tessa Rajak, University of Reading
'Ancestral Laws: What Josephus Made of the Greek Bible.'

12:20-1:00:
Deborah Rooke, King’s College, London
‘Susanna in Handel's Oratorio’.

Lunch – provided (Walker Room)

The afternoon papers will be chaired by Dr Bridget Gilfillan Upton

1:50-2:30:
Jim Aitken, CJCR, Cambridge
'The Septuagint and "Alexandrian" scholarship'.

2:30-3:10:
Gillian Greenberg, University College London
'Literary Initiative in the Peshitta'.

3:10-3:50:
Sean Ryan, Heythrop College.
‘Dislocated Locusts: Re-visions of Joel
& Amos in Revelation 9’

3:50-4:30:
Jonathan Norton, Heythrop College.
‘Psuche, Pneuma, and Paul's Rhetorical Surprise’.

4:30 Tea and departure

For registration, please contact:
Ms Mariann Jakab
Heythrop College
University of London
Kensington Square
London W8 5HQ
m.jakab@heythrop.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7795 4201

Paul and Peter Mixed up?

I just realised that having had my research focusing on the Apostle Paul for the past few years has, in some ways, conditioned me to think in certain pattern.

I was preparing for my sermon tomorrow, and the text that I would be preaching from is taken from 1 Peter 4:7-11. While scripting my sermon, I kept using the phrase, "Paul says" instead of "Peter says..." several times. It became so naturally for me to say, "Paul argues..."; "Paul suggests..."; and "Paul exhorts..." when it should rightly be "Peter argues...Peter suggests...Peter exhorts..."

My goodness....is this a good or bad sign?

Ordination Exam and Interview

My ordination examination and interview is schedule to be held tomorrow at 4pm. If all goes well, and if the Ordination Council unanimously agrees to pass my exam and interview, I will be ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of Malaysia at a service to be held on June 14, 2009.

More details later.