Winter Solstice

The most recent Freedom From Religion Foundation t.v. episode in honor of the winter solstice (which occurs later tonight) is here. It has some beautiful images. Kudos to the people who put it together. 

I would caution that the Christmas display segment might be somewhat out of date with the "history and tradition" cases of late that allowed public displays involving crosses. The Supreme Court striking down some lower court that allows a government creche display is a bit unlikely today.  

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

The Lost Apostle is a very interesting book by a reporter/speechwriter. The book was motivated by a reference among the greetings by Paul at the end of his epistle to the Romans. Was Junia an "apostle"? Why did many people (and bibles) later say it was a man's name? What does this tell us about women's place in the Christian movement and Christianity today?

The book does a deep dive on this and many other questions. The author writes as a non-scholar, who is a faithful Christian while still be a reporter with a "trust but verify" mentality. Nice to know as well, even though the author photo suggests she was not too young and it was published over fifteen years ago, that her website shows she is still alive and well.

(I am a bit wary at such a non-specialist writing the book. Nonetheless, she has done her homework, including getting interviews with multiple scholars. She even met with Vatican representatives.)  

Our sources provide tantalizing bits and pieces about many of these questions. The exact wording of the verse alone is unclear. Was Junia an "apostle" (which did not just mean the twelve) or someone especially honored by them? OTOH, even that one verse has multiple details. 

Women did play an important role in early Christian churches. The New Testament includes multiple women (including Mary Magdalene) who had significant parts in events. We are teased by limited references, including to someone like Phoebe (not Buffay) with whom Paul entrusted his epistle. 

Happy Holidays!