So you are thinking about a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies?

I thought it would be interesting to rehash my academic journey in this blog.  Interesting, I hope, to bibliobloggers and biblioblog readers who might be considering Ph.D. work, perhaps you can learn from some of my many mistakes, and it might be interesting to those who would like to get a glimpse of how different learning environments operate and the effect they had on my own education.  But more importantly, and much more to the point, it will be a good process of self reflection, of where I have been to where I am now.

So to put out a real rough outline, I'll start with when I first noticed that I really enjoyed learning, and what motivated me then, to my experiences at University, to my decision to go to seminary, to my choice of Grad Schools, and what was going on each step of the way.  It should be a fun romp down memory lane.  I hope you enjoy!

Why a Ph.D. takes so long...

Back when I was in Sheffield I remember at a seminar Prof. Loveday Alexander mentioned how she thought that the proper paradigm for the parting of the ways was mostly captured by Boyarin's account. I sat there and nodded my head, as I often do when things only partially register, whilst my brain raced trying desperately to connect the name Boyarin with the books that I had recently read. I had remembered one on Intertextuality and Midrash, and perhaps something about a radical Jew, but nothing on Christian origins. So I determined to find Boyarin's book on Christian origins, as soon as the seminar was over, but I suspect the sirens at the Devonshire Cat were calling that day, and by the second pint all thoughts of getting any serious work done were well behind me.

Well good news I have finally tracked down Boyarin's book on the subject, it only took me two years. Who said efficiency is part of the Ph.D. process anyway? Well I plan on posting some thoughts on the parting of the ways after I tuck into this little gem.

Oh, you just want me to give up the name of the book when I worked so hard for it!

Ok then I am feeling nice: