This is a time of change at the seminary where I volunteer. By the end of the month we'll have new professors in Old and New Testament. This week, we were treated to a lecture and Q & A over pizza with finalists for the position vacated by our retiring OT professor. Without getting into too much detail, both are women aged mid-30's to mid-40's and "of color." I choose to believe this is a coincidence but it sadly may not be. (The age thing in particular.) Both got the question of winters in Maine and both lived in New England for 3 or so years. Both are also ordained in some form of the Baptist church.
The first one, a native of Cuba, had her PhD but no practical teaching experience and a very thick accent but very dynamic. Her topic compared her upbringing to the OT, particularly a couple of the women. It was impressive. This wasn't well attended by either students or faculty.
Today, the second one, a "military brat" from the south, who is still working on her dissertation but currently teaches undergrad religion courses. Her presentation dealt with how King Saul gets "a bad rap" mainly because the OT passages were written by David's descendants. She treated her lectures like she was teaching a class and did a better job of engaging her audience. This was better attended by faculty and students. (It should be noted both were apparently well-attended on the Bangor campus...)
Recently, I finished Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn. I still haven't read the book in between the book of his I last reviewed and this one so my hypothesis that you can read them separately was put to the test. I was correct. You can but I ws also correct in saying you get more out of it if you read them all. I had several questions. Here, Rapp has a sidekick of sorts now. Was he introduced in the last book? Also, apparently Director Kennedy was kidnapped in he last book and this apparently has influenced her decisions in this book... This is the first book I've read where the president never appears and the focus is on the backstabbing and infighting of Congress. I'm not sure I like the change. Also, even 24 doesn't use Muslim terrorists every season. Knock it off! I will end on a high note. The climax of this book, particularly the climax of the climax, totally kicked ass!
The first one, a native of Cuba, had her PhD but no practical teaching experience and a very thick accent but very dynamic. Her topic compared her upbringing to the OT, particularly a couple of the women. It was impressive. This wasn't well attended by either students or faculty.
Today, the second one, a "military brat" from the south, who is still working on her dissertation but currently teaches undergrad religion courses. Her presentation dealt with how King Saul gets "a bad rap" mainly because the OT passages were written by David's descendants. She treated her lectures like she was teaching a class and did a better job of engaging her audience. This was better attended by faculty and students. (It should be noted both were apparently well-attended on the Bangor campus...)
Recently, I finished Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn. I still haven't read the book in between the book of his I last reviewed and this one so my hypothesis that you can read them separately was put to the test. I was correct. You can but I ws also correct in saying you get more out of it if you read them all. I had several questions. Here, Rapp has a sidekick of sorts now. Was he introduced in the last book? Also, apparently Director Kennedy was kidnapped in he last book and this apparently has influenced her decisions in this book... This is the first book I've read where the president never appears and the focus is on the backstabbing and infighting of Congress. I'm not sure I like the change. Also, even 24 doesn't use Muslim terrorists every season. Knock it off! I will end on a high note. The climax of this book, particularly the climax of the climax, totally kicked ass!
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