[Magdalen] BAR - a great resource

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

I was writing about a terrific and useful article, and found myself writing
about a terrific resource everyone should be more aware of, and realized I
needed to take most of the material to a new email with a new subj:

The magazine, Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR), is a rich resource of
information on what is being pulled out of the ground, and what may be made
of it. Since it absorbed the staff of the now defunct magazine Biblical
Review, it also has regular features on Bible related themes as well.

BAR has articles from some of the greats, such as Phyllis Trible
http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/jacob-in-the-bible/

Richard Elliot Friedman
http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/richard-elliott-friedman-and-the-bible/

Perhaps the best part is when some giant like Israel Finkelstein writes a
blistering article showing how David et al are mostly mythical, and then
giant-killer (and giant himself) William Dever writes a response in which
he politely rips the other guy to shreds.

The genius behind all of this is Herschel Schanks, who manages to remain
friends with all of these people even when he prints refutations of their
findings without a blink.
Herschel is even friends with Simcha Jocobovici, all the while ripping the
poor fellow's findings to shreds.
Herschel manages to keep a sizable group of literalist subscribers, many of
whom write scathing letters to cancel their subscriptions, which Herschel
duly publishes (He recently put out a book "Cancel My Subscription!" which
is a compilation of the best ones). But almost as many write to thank him
for publishing material which forces them to confront challenging ideas,
even if they disagree at times.

One of the little secrets of BAR is its swimsuit edition.  This time each
year, plans are being finalized for dozens of digs all over the Near East.
BAR now gives scholarships to people who wish to participate in a dig, but
cannot afford it, and in general they try to publicize where digs are
happening, etc. They always feature pictures of those participating in the
digs, and one is chosen for the cover. Participants in digs are often young
female students, so this is what showed up on the cover, prompting several
letters (all of which Herschel of course duly published). Some thought the
pictures were salacious; some thought they were delightful.
To see an example, go to Google, select "images" and then input the name
"nicolette wheeler" including the quotation marks.  The first image should
be the cover a few years ago of Nicolette, who was featured that year, as
well as a picture of her in her park ranger smoky the bear hat from a
where-are-they-now feature of this year.

All magazines operate on the tiniest of profit margins, and BAR is no
exception.  It is the only magazine of its kind I know of that covers this
material in this kind of depth and expert manner, and I hope all of you
will give serious consideration to subscribing.  It is no exaggeration to
say that a world without BAR would be a world diminished indeed. Please
consider subscribing.  You will help a unique and wonderful resource and
you will profit from the worlds it will open to you.

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/magazine/


James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better
for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting your time
on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente