About

This is a blog hosted by two bored, over-educated Mennonites who really have more important stuff to do, but don't want to do it. The focus is on our combined interests in history, theology, and politics. We spent enough time ranting and raving on G-chat and Facebook that we figured we might as well turn it into a blog. For those who might be wondering about the title. All we can say is that, obviously, you are not a golfer.

Who we are:

James
I completed my BA in history and German at Bethel College in Kansas in 2003.  After working for a year at United Methodist Youthville in Newton, Kansas, I continued my education at Wichita State University, where I finished an MA in modern European history in 2006.  Presently, I am working on my dissertation at the University of Notre Dame, a process that has been longer and more complicated than anticipated.  My wife studied computer science and engineering  at Bethel College and Notre Dame, and is presently a staff scientist in the genomics laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, where she is daily involved in the search for genetic cures to diseases.   In my free time, I like to drink beer, play computer games, ride bike, watch sci-fi, read history, and argue politics.

Academically, my fields are modern Germany, Holocaust, Russia and Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and Israel and the Middle East.  I also have interest in interfaith relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.  A major part of my studies has been Mennonite history, where I seek to increase our awareness of Mennonites in nineteenth and twentieth century Europe.  As a natural side effect, I also have interests in theology and peace studies.

Justin

I finished an MA in biblical studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, now Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, in 2011. (Sounds fundie, but trust me, it aint.) My thesis was on the book of Nahum. I am engaged to a brilliant young woman who is currently working on her PhD in biochemistry at Indiana University.  In my free time I like to drink beer, play video games, watch sci-fi, read about biblical studies, and write and peer review for Ancient History Encyclopedia. My hope is that after my special lady friend finishes her doctorate, I will go on and do mine (right after I learn German, Israeli Hebrew, and French...and take that damned GRE).

Academically, my interests are primarily in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, literary criticism of the Bible, source criticism of the Pentateuch, Dead Sea Scrolls, the Gospel of Mark, Second Temple Judaism, Hellenistic Judaism (which is a form of Second Temple Judaism), and Jewish-Christian relations. I have been known to dabble in peace studies and Mennonite history, particularly of the late19th and and early 20th centuries. Politically and socially, I am quite liberal. Theologically, progressive on some points, conservative on others. I spent too long at seminary to answer that in a straight forward manner. Also, I have a weird attachment to the Oxford Comma. I also maintain a blog on biblical studies.