177 :
14 Apr 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 3 Coming in at Number 3 with 4,916 reads is Ian's commentary from 17th Nov 2007: "Was Rome really the See of Peter?" Part III of this mini-series has already featured in this countdown as the 8th most read commentary in 2010, and as the present conversation triggered by Vynette Holliday's series demonstrates this continues to be a hot topic. Today's commentary is Part II of the mini-series. [Ian's Nov 2007 commentary]

176 :
07 Apr 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 4 Coming in at Number 4 with 4,371 reads is Ian's commentary from 20th Oct 2007: "Analysing the spiritual journey via Star Trek" This was not only one of the most popular of his commentaries but almost marked a milestone in Ian's life as it was the one when we announced publicly that he had obtained his doctorate. In our original introduction we wrote: Dr Elmer, today looks at the inner spiritual and life journey through comparison with the popular television series Star Trek. Imagine what the Church would be like if more of our ordained spiritual guides could explain it all in this kind of language. [Ian's Oct 2007 commentary]

175 :
31 Mar 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 5 Coming in at Number 5 with 3,681 reads is Ian's commentary from 5th May 2007: "The controversy surrounding Arius — what can we learn?" Here's the original introduction in which Ian argues: "This reflection serves to remind us that God simply doesn't provide us with all the answers in some definitive way. We have debate and discussion, even argument, to refine and define our shared faith – what else might we expect from a God who chooses to enter into conversation with his creatures?" [Ian's May 2007 commentary]

174 :
24 Mar 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 6 Coming in at Number 6 with 3,521 reads is Ian's commentary from 5th Dec 2006: "What can we learn today from the disputes in the early Church?" Here's the original introduction: "The question Ian seeks to address this week may seem a departure from the present series looking at the earliest post-resurrection origins of the Jesus Movement. However, the story behind the first written text that was to be preserved in the New Testament is a sequel to those events described in last week's commentary. The text in question is Paul's letter to the Galatians, written around 50 CE, probably within a matter of months after Paul's bitter split with Peter, Barnabas and the James party at Antioch (Gal 2:11-14). The reason why Paul wrote to the Galatians is one of the most intriguing questions in biblical scholarship, and demonstrates afresh how significant for New Testament interpretation is the understanding that early Christianity was a diverse phenomenon." This commentary has another significance as it helps prove the success of the founding vision of Catholica. For more about that read today's email... [today's email (240311)] | [Ian's Dec 2006 commentary]

173 :
17 Mar 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 7 Coming in at Number 7 with 2,783 reads is Ian's commentary from 3rd Sep 2009: How Does God Speak to Us? It's part of his Puzzling Passages Series but is less about a particular "puzzling passage" and more to do with what is perhaps the most puzzling thing about faith and belief — how does the Author of Life speak to us? What's the Biblical record have to say? What do theologians and popes have to say? Ian ends with a series of questions that provide great fodder for reflection — and discussion. And obviously from its continuing to generate so many page reads without any publicity on our part in 2010 it IS generating plenty of reflection. [more]

172 :
10 Mar 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 8 Coming in at Number 8 with 2,245 reads is Ian's commentary from 1st Dec 2007 which was the conclusion to a series asking who were the founders of the Church in Rome? It is interesting that this commentary is so popular given that Vynette Holliday is leading a new conversation on Catholica at the moment examining similar territory. Ian Elmer's exploration of the material from Paul's letter to Rome suggests that neither Peter nor Paul could claim the title that they were the founders of the Church in Rome — although the later Roman apologists would make that claim for them. In this final commentary of the series Ian looked at further scholarly speculation about who the true founders of the Roman church may have been and when Christianity first came to Rome. [more]

171 :
03 Mar 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 9 Coming in at Number 9 with 2,010 reads is Ian's commentary from 27th June 2007 examining the question of who actually wrote the Gospels. The four Gospels originally circulated anonymously; none of them bear the name of their authors. The names that are presently attached to our canonical Gospels are the product of second-century speculation, and they are intended to stress the apostolic credentials of the Gospels. Most of us assume that the Gospels are the direct products of either Jesus' apostles (John and Matthew) or their loyal lieutenants (Mark and Luke); however, this is not the overwhelming view of the majority of biblical scholars. [more]

170 :
23 Feb 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 10 Coming in at Number 10 with 1615 reads is Ian's commentary from 4th February last year. In fact it is the only commentary from last year to make the top 10 but that is the pattern on Catholica as most of our commentaries take some time before they build up a significant readership. This commentary from Dr Elmer delves back to explore what Jesus and Paul had to say on the subjects of eunuchs, castrati, celibacy and marriage. What is the meaning of all this today? Civilised societies do not expect men today to castrate themselves to serve the Emperor or the Church. The commentary sits well with the current discussion on Catholica about human sexuality in providing a glimpse into some of the attitudes discussed by Jesus and that founder of the modern Church, Paul, who won the argument about gentiles not needing to be circumcised. [more] | [see also today's email]

169 :
17 Feb 2011

Dr Elmer's most read commentaries during 2010: Number 11 Coming in at Number 11 with 1564 reads is Ian's commentary from 28 July 2007 examining the radically different attitude Jesus had towards women. The original commentary was the first in a new series examining the ways in which Jesus differed from other religious leaders and rabbis. In this first part he examined the counter-cultural attitude Jesus took towards women and how this was reversed by later followers in the late-first and early-second centuries. Please see today's email for an explanation of why we are starting at Number 11 and some further interesting information about the popularity of Dr Elmer's commentaries. [more] | [today's email]

168 :
10 Dec 2010

The Puzzles about Mary... The Mother of God: she's a big puzzle isn't she — a complex figure built on scant biblical evidence? This is the biblical puzzle Dr Ian Elmer explores in today's commentary which is particularly appropriate to the Advent season and the build up to Christmas. [more]

167 :
02 Dec 2010

Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem? One of the earliest stories we must learn as Christians is the Christmas story — the story of the birth of the Saviour of the World. Nativity scenes plant the story firmly in our mind as children as historical fact. Increasingly, modern biblical scholarship is showing us that these stories were less about historical fact and more about theological lessons. But did we learn the real lessons? In today's commentary, Dr Ian Elmer takes us on a fascinating exploration of the stories the Gospel writers — particularly Luke and Matthew but with a little input from John — were endeavouring to relate in the accounts they wrote of the birth narrative of Jesus. This is a fabulous reflection for Advent and the lead-up to Christmas — adult spirituality at its best! [more]

166 :
25 Nov 2010

Do you believe in an afterlife and resurrection? Again we have another fascinating and informative commentary from Dr Ian Elmer today. Now this is a real "puzzling passage": we hear constant talk of "bodily resurrection", but what is this theological concept trying to get at? This is one of the best, short explanations you're likely to find anywhere. [more]

165 :
19 Nov 2010

Where did our ideas of the physical church come from? Fascinating material for study and reflection comes from this commentary from Dr Ian Elmer. He's looking at the place of the Synagogue in the life and stories of Jesus but it leads to a fascinating exploration of the place of the church or place of worship in our contemporary world. Where did our ideas of the physical church come from? [more]

164 :
04 Nov 2010

What is the standard of righteousness and perfection we are called to? Today's commentary and reflection from Dr Ian Elmer cuts to the heart of the challenge facing any modern Christian as much as it cuts to the heart of the people Jesus was addressing two millenia ago: what standard of thinking and behaviour are we called to by our beliefs — and by our very existence? [more]

163 :
28 Oct 2010

Do we humans really yearn to become like God? This is a valuable commentary and reflection from Dr Ian Elmer today that cuts to some of the big questions about the purpose of our existence. Dr Elmer asks: "In what manner can we as humans be incorporated into the divine being? Or is this doctrine of theopoiesis or theosis simply a misinterpretation of the scriptures?" [more]

162 :
22 Oct 2010

Did the Ancient Israelites Drink Beer? Dr Ian Elmer brings us a much lighter reflection this week in his puzzling passages series: what place did beer play in the life of our scriptural forebears? There is a great emphasis on grapes and wine in our religious literature and liturgies. Drawing attention to a recent article published in Biblical Archaeology Review by Michael Homan, Ian explores the importance of barley and beer in the life of the Israelites and surrounding nations. [more]

161 :
15 Oct 2010

Miracles, Healings and Saints... Dr Ian Elmer today invites us to move beyond the "oh golly, gee whizz" perspective of what saints, or God, can do for us via miracles to consideration of what miracles invite each of us to do for God and those in need of "miracles". Like all of Ian's commentaries, today's invites quiet and thoughtful reflection. He has written it in light of the current focus on "miracles" associated with the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. [more]

160 :
07 Oct 2010

Was Jesus a killjoy? On the Biblical evidence Dr Ian Elmer concludes that the answer is "No. Jesus was not a wowser." Yet somehow Christianity has become tainted with this wowser image reflected in the questioning Ian received from one of his students. In the course of searching for accompanying images for this commentary, I was struck by how stern and formal much of Christian art is. Ian Elmer argues that in contrast to sternness and formality the Gospel stories of the Good News of Jesus are about joy and rejoicing. ...Ed [more]

159 :
30 Sep 2010

Can God change? It's the gzillion dollar theological question that Dr Ian Elmer tackles today in his lead commentary: Can God change? The simple answer might be "of course he can, God can do anything, he is 'all powerful'". In a more nuanced scriptural or theological perspective though we stop and think a little more. If we believe God is in relationship with Creation, and responds to our prayers and cries, this implies he can change. But we also have this deep theological understanding of the immutability of God. He doesn't change, he is the "unchanging foundation" of everything. This commentary provides rich material for contemplation and reflection not only about God but about ourselves and how we are invited to think about, and live out, our lives. [more]

158 :
23 Sep 2010

Exploring the meaning of fall and redemption... In his introduction to today's lead commentary Ian Elmer labels this commentary as a "thought experiment". As editor of Catholica, I think it is both a good one and a successful one. To me it might even rank as one of the most perceptive and valuable commentaries we've yet published on Catholica in the last four years. What Ian explores today is deeply foundational stuff about both the nature of God and the nature of the relationship we human beings are called into by the nature of our being. ...Editor [more]

157 :
17 Sep 2010

Adam's rib and the creation of human beings... What is the Genesis story of The Man and Woman in the Garden trying to say to us? That's the essential question Dr Ian Elmer seeks to tackle in today's commentary. Most mature Christians no longer read it literally but what is the meaning of this message? How is it relevant to life today? [more]

156 :
09 Sep 2010

The Christos in Whom Paul Believed... It's almost in the nature of a Dorothy Dix question in Christian circles these days to ask if Christ is the surname of Jesus. Most educated Christians know the answer. But, what does the name "Christ" or "Christos" signify? Now that is the fascinating subject of today's commentary from Dr Ian Elmer exploring our scriptural heritage. [more]

155 :
03 Sep 2010

Why Did Jesus Call Fisherfolk to be Disciples? Yes, why didn't he call on a few journalists to "spread the good news" instead of a bunch of poorly educated fisherfolk? Or, for "journalists" insert whatever your occupation or calling happens to be. Today's Puzzling Passage from Dr Ian Elmer explores the meaning in Jesus' first call being to fishermen. [more]

154 :
26 Aug 2010

The legend of God and Magog... Today's Puzzling Passage from Dr Ian Elmer flow on from last week's examination of the Book of Revelation but also represents an interesting change of direction. Ian today examines the legend of Gog and Magog with a particular objective of explaining the presence of these two legendary figures in one of the City of Melbourne's oldest shopping arcades, the Royal Arcade. [more]

153 :
19 Aug 2010

The Book of Revelation: Fact or Fiction? Today's Puzzling Passage from Dr Ian Elmer examines the fascination the the Book of Revelation has had for the human imagination down through history. We all love our apocalyptic vision, don't we? Just witness the popularity of films whose stories are rooted in this genre of writing. This is a fascinating commentary just for its general knowledge content. [more]

152 :
12 Aug 2010

What can we learn from "Doubting Thomas"? There is an enormous struggle going on within Catholicism today between those who question almost everything and those who want a "simple faith" and "blind obedience". It is an old struggle of course captured at the first Pentecost with the Fourth Evangelist's story of "Doubting Thomas". Today's Puzzling Passage from Dr Ian Elmer cuts to the heart of this controversy that has exercised the minds of believers since that first Pentecost. What can we learn from the story of "Doubting Thomas"? [more]

151 :
05 Aug 2010

Trying to discover the "real Jesus"... Today's Puzzling Passage from Dr Ian Elmer fits in very well with the extended exploration we're having on Catholica in our search for the real Jesus. Dr Elmer, and other scholars he quotes, suggest the Gospel accounts are not all there is to discovering the Jesus whom we seek as the animator and inspiration for our lives. There are conflicts between the Gospels, and they were each written for particular communities. Ian ends his commentary with this observation: "The 'real Jesus' is the one we encounter in prayer, reflection and meditation. The Gospels function not so much as historical accounts but as sacraments of encounter with the risen Christ." [more]