A Cuneiform Fragment and Babylonians in Samaria.

This recent interpretation of a cuneiform fragment at Tel Mikhmoret which might record a slave transaction provides possible physical evidence of the presence of Babylonians in biblical Samaria. But do note the qualified nature of the previous statement and that the presence of Babylonians in the region can already be established from the Bible.

Free Logos Book for December: No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God

The free Logos Book for the Month for December is John Feinberg's No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God. You can also purchase Graham Cole's He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit or Bruce Demarest's The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation in the same series for $2.99 and $4.99 respectively. You can also register for a chance win the eight-volume Crossway Studies of the Bible package. For all these offers, go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here.

"Pilate" Ring

There are numerous reports that a ring found at the Herodian found in excavations in 1968-1969 might contain an inscription to Pontius Pilate. One of the news stories can be found here. It is an interesting find but caution is warranted because many archaeological announcements related to finds in the Holy Land are sensationalized.

The Search for Sacred Texts

National Geographic has a nice article here related to manuscripts in general and the Dead Sea Scrolls in particular. The pictures are wonderful as usual.

Empty Churches

The Atlantic has a sobering look at "America’s Epidemic of Empty Churches" here.

Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Headpiece of the Staff of Ra

This is a delightfully nerdy post about translating the headpiece of the staff of Ra in the Raiders of the Lost Ark film.

HT: Elijah Hixson

Philippians for Pastors

Philippians for Pastors by John Kitchen has just been released. This 530-page work interacts with the Greek text (but not in an overly technical way) and also provides "ministry maxims," "digging deeper" questions and thoughts, and several helpful appendices. It is published by Kress Biblical Resources. You can get 45% off retail of this volume and on all titles that Kress offers with the coupon code "Spurgeon" but note that the code expires at the end of November. You can also get free usps media mail shipping on orders over $20. Kitchen also has two other helpful volumes, The Pastoral Epistles for Pastors and Colossians and Philemon for Pastors.

Lessons for Evangelical Scholars in the Academy

Michael Kruger, interacting with Thomas Oden, offers seven lessons for evangelical scholars in the secular academy that are worth reading here.