Eric Vanden Eykel
@evandeneykel.bsky.social
Ph.D. Christian Origins, Associate Professor of Religious Studies @ Ferrum College. Black Lives Matter. Views expressed here are my own, and do not reflect the views of my employer.
he/him
he/him
I wrote a piece on the Shroud of Turin in 2024, and it's proven to be one of the more enraging things that I've written. At least once a week I get some variety of hate mail about it.
What is the Shroud of Turin and why is there so much controversy around it?
Many believe the Shroud of Turin to be the cloth used to bury Jesus after his crucifixion. Scientists have investigated the claim and here’s what they found.
theconversation.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
I wrote a piece on the Shroud of Turin in 2024, and it's proven to be one of the more enraging things that I've written. At least once a week I get some variety of hate mail about it.
Still the best Wordle IMO.
January 27, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Still the best Wordle IMO.
I have so much respect for attempts to point out MAGA hypocrisy, but y’all, please remember that the people who need to see it most will not. At some point, ignorance becomes a choice. Many have already chosen.
January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I have so much respect for attempts to point out MAGA hypocrisy, but y’all, please remember that the people who need to see it most will not. At some point, ignorance becomes a choice. Many have already chosen.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Just published my first piece for the Conversation! It’s on Thecla and her reception within Christianity.
theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...
theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...
Thecla, the beast fighter: The saint who faced down lions and killer seals is one of many ‘leading ladies’ in early Christian texts
The Christian apocrypha, texts not included in the Bible, include stories of Jesus’ female followers – including St. Thecla.
theconversation.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Just published my first piece for the Conversation! It’s on Thecla and her reception within Christianity.
theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...
theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...
The Verizon outage today has me hoping that tomorrow is the day my email goes down.
January 14, 2026 at 9:42 PM
The Verizon outage today has me hoping that tomorrow is the day my email goes down.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
January 12, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Feeling bummed that the planned title of my memoir has already been claimed.
January 1, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Feeling bummed that the planned title of my memoir has already been claimed.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
You may also listen to this superb episode of @deaconspod.bsky.social about #TheMagi with @evandeneykel.bsky.social on YouTube:
Deacons Pod: Eric Vanden Eykel on “The Magi”
YouTube video by Paulist Fathers
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
You may also listen to this superb episode of @deaconspod.bsky.social about #TheMagi with @evandeneykel.bsky.social on YouTube:
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Today's Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family begins with the words "When the magi had departed ... ".
Who were the #magi?
@evandeneykel.bsky.social visited @deaconspod.bsky.social to answer that question:
Who were the #magi?
@evandeneykel.bsky.social visited @deaconspod.bsky.social to answer that question:
Eric Vanden Eykel on "The Magi"
open.spotify.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Today's Gospel passage for the Feast of the Holy Family begins with the words "When the magi had departed ... ".
Who were the #magi?
@evandeneykel.bsky.social visited @deaconspod.bsky.social to answer that question:
Who were the #magi?
@evandeneykel.bsky.social visited @deaconspod.bsky.social to answer that question:
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
So many of my recent pieces for National Geographic would have suffered were it not for my ability to link to the amazing resources supplied by @nasscal.bsky.social. If you are interested in early Christian literature you must check out this invaluable site.
www.nasscal.com
www.nasscal.com
NASSCAL
North American Society for the Study of Christian Apocryphal Literature
www.nasscal.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
So many of my recent pieces for National Geographic would have suffered were it not for my ability to link to the amazing resources supplied by @nasscal.bsky.social. If you are interested in early Christian literature you must check out this invaluable site.
www.nasscal.com
www.nasscal.com
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
How many Magi were there and were they descended from Seth? Check out this piece that draws on essential work by @brentlandau.bsky.social and @evandeneykel.bsky.social ial
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Were there three Nativity wise men—or twelve?
Early Christian sources differ on how many Magi visited the infant Jesus, and whether they were kings at all.
www.nationalgeographic.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
How many Magi were there and were they descended from Seth? Check out this piece that draws on essential work by @brentlandau.bsky.social and @evandeneykel.bsky.social ial
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
If you’re ever in search of a perfect example of irony, remember that Wittgenstein actually wrote that “everything that can be put into words can be put clearly” (in Tractatus 4.116).
December 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
If you’re ever in search of a perfect example of irony, remember that Wittgenstein actually wrote that “everything that can be put into words can be put clearly” (in Tractatus 4.116).
In this golden era of shareable online calendars and scheduling apps, there is absolutely no reason for us to do the back-and-forth reply all email threads to try and find 30 minutes to “touch base.”
December 2, 2025 at 1:48 PM
In this golden era of shareable online calendars and scheduling apps, there is absolutely no reason for us to do the back-and-forth reply all email threads to try and find 30 minutes to “touch base.”
Two strangers at my gate are talking about evangelization strategies and I am certain that I will end up sitting next to one of them on this flight.
November 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Two strangers at my gate are talking about evangelization strategies and I am certain that I will end up sitting next to one of them on this flight.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
One I'm still struggling with, but it's so important: you don't need to be in sessions/papers all day, every day. Take breaks! - and: take a few hours in the book exhibition to browse through books and also to just meet people. (My personal happy place)
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
One I'm still struggling with, but it's so important: you don't need to be in sessions/papers all day, every day. Take breaks! - and: take a few hours in the book exhibition to browse through books and also to just meet people. (My personal happy place)
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Get free food and drinks in the evenings by reception-hopping. Do at least three receptions to ensure a balanced diet.
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Get free food and drinks in the evenings by reception-hopping. Do at least three receptions to ensure a balanced diet.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
New conference advice: the AARSBL25 app has a messaging feature, so you can now message folks whose numbers you don’t have to meet for food/coffee/receptions!
November 19, 2025 at 11:53 PM
New conference advice: the AARSBL25 app has a messaging feature, so you can now message folks whose numbers you don’t have to meet for food/coffee/receptions!
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Totally fine to hop in/out of sessions (try to do so discretely by sitting near the back). Pace thyself with free alchohol—fatigue, dehydration and nerves can make one drink go further than you might expect. Whether making your schedule or chatting with others, be curious about work beyond your area
November 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Totally fine to hop in/out of sessions (try to do so discretely by sitting near the back). Pace thyself with free alchohol—fatigue, dehydration and nerves can make one drink go further than you might expect. Whether making your schedule or chatting with others, be curious about work beyond your area
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Is is DRY. Bring lip balm. You too, mens. Also: Pick up all the free swag and give it to your students later.
November 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Is is DRY. Bring lip balm. You too, mens. Also: Pick up all the free swag and give it to your students later.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Department receptions are places for alums to gather but most are also open to anyone. Feel free to drop in and meet people.
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Department receptions are places for alums to gather but most are also open to anyone. Feel free to drop in and meet people.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
Get a conference buddy. There are weird moments and points where you have down time so have a friend you can touch base, meet up, or process whatever strange encounter you just had (which will happen). #AARSBL25
November 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Get a conference buddy. There are weird moments and points where you have down time so have a friend you can touch base, meet up, or process whatever strange encounter you just had (which will happen). #AARSBL25
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
It's cool and expected for you to introduce yourself to people---we're there to meet each other! If you don't feel like you can just go right up to someone, know that there are friends who will make the connection for you, just ask!
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It's cool and expected for you to introduce yourself to people---we're there to meet each other! If you don't feel like you can just go right up to someone, know that there are friends who will make the connection for you, just ask!