Why do you read? Or: Was God married?

Mar 14, 11 • Gender, Reading • 6 Comments • Read More »

Dr Stavrokopoulou holding a replica of the Kuntillet Ajrud ostracon (from the article on which I am commenting)


Video version here.

The Daily Mail (a UK tabloid newspaper) carried an article “Why the BBC’s new face of religion believes God had a WIFE” (( Yes, the capitals were in the original, for some reason… )) It caused a flurry among the Twittering classes, and on Facebook, and even among the biblioblogs (though in the latter group most dismissed the article saying: What can you expect from a British Tabloid?)

Actually the article is by Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou a member of the Society for Old Testament Study with a DPhil from Oxford and a job at Exeter University. So in this podcast I’ll take her article seriously, but use it to ask whether and how it matters why one reads.

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6 Responses to Why do you read? Or: Was God married?

  1. The Bible’s Buried Secrets: Did God have a wife? - Sansblogue says:
    March 17, 2011 at 8:44 am

    […] you are interested inWhy do you read? Or: Was God married? and Are you an idolater? (Not – Was God married? Part Two) I claim Yahweh definitely had a wife […]

  2. Biblical Studies Carnival LXI – March Madness Edition | Dr. Platypus says:
    April 1, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    […] series of podcasts exploring the deeper issues of why one reads the Bible in the first place (part one, part two, part three, part […]

  3. Patrick Hepburn says:
    April 5, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    A rather interesting and thought provoking blog. Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou is undoubtedly a prolific historian and presents compelling arguments at first glance but in truth her platform is that of historicity and not Theology (a study of god) which requires much more than and academic perspective. Please inform me of the follow up blog when it is available and extend my thanks to Tim Bulkeley. Excellent!

  4. Why do you read? Or: Was God married? - 5 Minute Bible says:
    March 14, 2013 at 6:08 am

    […] This is the video version of a post whose original audio only version is here. […]

  5. Tim Bulkeley responds to Francesca Stavrakopoulou on Asherah, God’s Wife | Remnant of Giants says:
    March 25, 2013 at 10:38 am

    […] See: Tim Bulkeley, “Was God married? Part two: the death of the goddess“ Tim Bulkeley, “Why do you read? Or: Was God married?“ […]