“The Gospels for all Christians” (ed. Bauckman)

I’ve just finished reading “The Gospel for All Christians” (ed. Richard Bauckman).  First published in 1998, I wished I’d read it 10 years ago. 

This easily readable 217 page volume argues convincingly against the common notion that the gospels were written for specific Matthean, Markan, Lukan and Johannine communities.  Marshalling a whole host of reasons it makes the case that the gospels unlike, say, the Pauline letters, were deliberately written for all Christians, as opposed to specific churches.  

Fascinating chapters include those on communication between churches of the early period, ancient book production and the ancient concept of biography.  The chapter “John for Readers of Mark” argues very convincingly that such parenthetical explanations as John 3:24 and 11:2 are specifically intended for readers of John who were already familiar with Mark’s gospel.   

If a theology prof tries to tell you that each gospel is the specific product of the unique ”sits im leben” of a particular (semi) isolated early Christian community (a la Davies & Allison, T. Weeden, J.A. Fitzmyer, H. Kee, W.A. Meeks, J. L. Martyn, et. al.), then read this book…

The Islamization of Turkish Society

Daily life in Turkey is changing.  Most of us, myself included, are so frog-like that we don’t really notice the gradual environmental changes until someone points it out.  A recent article by the veteran Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand highlighted a number of things which rang true with me:

1.  Religious language (i.e., once outmoded Arabism and Qur’anic expressions) are re-emerging in daily speech patterns of AKP politicians in particular and ordinary citizens in general. 

2. Body language is changing. In the past people shook hands or kissed.  Now the more stand-offish placing of a hand on the heart is in vogue.  Touching women is an iffy business, so a nod will suffice for them.

3. Eating and drinking patters are changing.  Alcohol, as Birand puts it, “is gradually leaving the tables. It is being kept in nooks and corners as proof of tolerance. It is served if it is particularly asked for, but that is all. You also have to be brave or audacious to actually ask for it. It is becoming more usual to drink liquid yogurt, orange juice or other fruit juice with meals.” 

4.  More women are donning the dour, black chador or the head scarf and long coats.  Cover-all bathing suits manufacturers are probably the only boom industry in the country at the moment. 

5. The separation of men and women seems to have become more prevalent.

6.  More people go to the mosque on Fridays for midday prayers

7. There is an increase in the number of newspapers and TV channels that promote religious values.

8. There is an increase in the number of religious foundations.

The full article from which the above was distilled can be found at http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=98857