Janet Spittler
@janetspittler.bsky.social
Opinions expressed are my own, not my employer’s. Reposts do not indicate agreement.
Reposted by Janet Spittler
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 Janet Spittler
Do you need last minute gift ideas for an enemy or antagonistic family member? Look no further: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526175038/
December 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Do you need last minute gift ideas for an enemy or antagonistic family member? Look no further: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526175038/
Reposted by Janet Spittler
The Cavalier Daily strikes again. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
"Scott Beardsley’s appointment [as UVA president] epitomizes a semester defined by absence, secrecy and institutional disregard." www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
"Scott Beardsley’s appointment [as UVA president] epitomizes a semester defined by absence, secrecy and institutional disregard." www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
EDITORIAL: An eleventh-hour presidential appointment and a community left in the dark
Furthermore, it is hard to ignore that the unanimous vote elevating Beardsley to the University’s top role was undertaken by a Board that is seemingly not legally constituted.
www.cavalierdaily.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The Cavalier Daily strikes again. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
"Scott Beardsley’s appointment [as UVA president] epitomizes a semester defined by absence, secrecy and institutional disregard." www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
"Scott Beardsley’s appointment [as UVA president] epitomizes a semester defined by absence, secrecy and institutional disregard." www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
Nag Hammadi friends: If you had to choose one “gnostic” text to read in a grad seminar on religious thinkers in antiquity, which would you choose and why? Bonus if it comes with an article that is readable for students with no Coptic and little experience with the corpus.
December 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Nag Hammadi friends: If you had to choose one “gnostic” text to read in a grad seminar on religious thinkers in antiquity, which would you choose and why? Bonus if it comes with an article that is readable for students with no Coptic and little experience with the corpus.
If your crèche has an ox and an ass or exactly three magi, congratulations: You’re having a very apocryphal Christmas already! Tony will explain.
I will be doing a live interview via Zoom Dec. 22 on apocryphal Christmas traditions. Join in and ask me some skill-testing questions! See the image and link below for information.
December 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
If your crèche has an ox and an ass or exactly three magi, congratulations: You’re having a very apocryphal Christmas already! Tony will explain.
Reposted by Janet Spittler
Holiday Mutual Aid:
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! It’s time for YEAR 6!
With recent federal-level changes creating new challenges in our community, we’re prioritizing core necessities. We are still welcoming traditional gifts. More info below.
We take care of us.
To Give
C: $zyahnab
Venmo: Zbryant01
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! It’s time for YEAR 6!
With recent federal-level changes creating new challenges in our community, we’re prioritizing core necessities. We are still welcoming traditional gifts. More info below.
We take care of us.
To Give
C: $zyahnab
Venmo: Zbryant01
December 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Holiday Mutual Aid:
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! It’s time for YEAR 6!
With recent federal-level changes creating new challenges in our community, we’re prioritizing core necessities. We are still welcoming traditional gifts. More info below.
We take care of us.
To Give
C: $zyahnab
Venmo: Zbryant01
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! It’s time for YEAR 6!
With recent federal-level changes creating new challenges in our community, we’re prioritizing core necessities. We are still welcoming traditional gifts. More info below.
We take care of us.
To Give
C: $zyahnab
Venmo: Zbryant01
UVa faculty senate resolves that “any individual selected for the presidency under the current search timeline and by a Board that does not have its full complement of 17 members including 12 alumni and 12 Virginia residents should be aware…” 1/3
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
UVa faculty senate resolves that “any individual selected for the presidency under the current search timeline and by a Board that does not have its full complement of 17 members including 12 alumni and 12 Virginia residents should be aware…” 1/3
Reposted by Janet Spittler
For every democracy which has enjoyed prosperity for a lengthy period first develops by nature an attitude of discontent towards the existing order, and then looks around for a master. When it has found one, it soon begins to hate him. So was it in this case for the Tarentines.
– Polybius 8.24.1
– Polybius 8.24.1
December 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM
For every democracy which has enjoyed prosperity for a lengthy period first develops by nature an attitude of discontent towards the existing order, and then looks around for a master. When it has found one, it soon begins to hate him. So was it in this case for the Tarentines.
– Polybius 8.24.1
– Polybius 8.24.1
He’s got my vote. m.youtube.com/watch?v=C2AQ...
Tom Perriello For Congress Launch Video
YouTube video by Tom Perriello
m.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
He’s got my vote. m.youtube.com/watch?v=C2AQ...
Reposted by Janet Spittler
We just sent out the December edition of our newsletter! It covers the announcement of our next webinar on preventing displacement, our first ever holiday gift guide, a city bike infrastructure advocacy opportunity, the vigil for those who died while homeless, and more.
mailchi.mp/livablecvill...
mailchi.mp/livablecvill...
Livable Cville - December 2025 Newsletter
mailchi.mp
December 7, 2025 at 11:27 PM
We just sent out the December edition of our newsletter! It covers the announcement of our next webinar on preventing displacement, our first ever holiday gift guide, a city bike infrastructure advocacy opportunity, the vigil for those who died while homeless, and more.
mailchi.mp/livablecvill...
mailchi.mp/livablecvill...
Excellent editorial by the student paper: “Perhaps the most obvious epitomization of Mahoney’s desire to be protected from, rather than to protect, the University community, was his decision to be accompanied by a police guard as he entered the Faculty Senate.” www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
EDITORIAL: A university president guarded from his constituents cannot lead them
Mahoney’s position throughout his term has been one of deference — a deference that, amidst community protests, denigrates the role of a University president as authentically representing their commun...
www.cavalierdaily.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Excellent editorial by the student paper: “Perhaps the most obvious epitomization of Mahoney’s desire to be protected from, rather than to protect, the University community, was his decision to be accompanied by a police guard as he entered the Faculty Senate.” www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...
“Boys also have lower mean scores on the SAT in reading and writing, score lower overall on the ACT and have lower grade point averages in high school. “If we were going to eliminate preferences for men, the undergraduate population would skew to 65 percent female overnight,” Mitchell said.”
Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly White men
The Trump administration’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion also targets gender. The ban may impact gender balancing practices that often benefit college men.
wapo.st
December 6, 2025 at 1:58 AM
“Boys also have lower mean scores on the SAT in reading and writing, score lower overall on the ACT and have lower grade point averages in high school. “If we were going to eliminate preferences for men, the undergraduate population would skew to 65 percent female overnight,” Mitchell said.”
Once again: the presidential and provost search must be paused, Sheridan and Wilkinson must resign, and the student newspaper is utterly outpacing all other news sources. Wahoowa!
Sources say the provost search this spring was ‘unusual.’ Here’s why.
Sources qualified the search or elements of the search as “highly unusual” in large part because of the actions of Porter Wilkinson, who was at the time a member of the Board of Visitors and is now vi...
www.cavalierdaily.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Once again: the presidential and provost search must be paused, Sheridan and Wilkinson must resign, and the student newspaper is utterly outpacing all other news sources. Wahoowa!
Join us on the First Friday of December for a workshop with Sam Cook on the Monastic Use of Coptic Apocrypha!
December 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Join us on the First Friday of December for a workshop with Sam Cook on the Monastic Use of Coptic Apocrypha!
Reposted by Janet Spittler
An election for the 2025-2027 NASSCAL Board of Directors will take place at this week's First Friday Workshop (Dec. 5). The slate of nominees can be found here: www.nasscal.com/2025/12/02/n...
Notice of Election of the 2025–2027 NASSCAL Board
The NASSCAL First Fridays workshop taking place December 5 will also be the time that we elect a new Board of Directors. Ideally, this would take place at a bi-annual meeting of the Society, but we…
www.nasscal.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
An election for the 2025-2027 NASSCAL Board of Directors will take place at this week's First Friday Workshop (Dec. 5). The slate of nominees can be found here: www.nasscal.com/2025/12/02/n...
I do love an advent calendar!
As a little treat for you, here's an #ArabicBible Advent calendar 🧵. Every day I'll post a verse from the Christmas story from one of the oldest Arabic Gospel lectionaries, Sinai ar. 72, dated 897 CE (and a few other texts in between). [2nd attempt, I won't be offended if you point out my nonsense.]
December 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I do love an advent calendar!
Reposted by Janet Spittler
well, what the heck. it's the tuesday before thanksgiving, and whoever is on here deserves a treat: the first new translation I've posted in a long while: the Life and Martyrdom of Susanna:
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
Life and Martyrdom of Susanna
andrewjacobs.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
well, what the heck. it's the tuesday before thanksgiving, and whoever is on here deserves a treat: the first new translation I've posted in a long while: the Life and Martyrdom of Susanna:
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
I love this pope.
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I love this pope.
Reposted by Janet Spittler
Happy St Katherine's Day to all scholars, librarians, and Katherines. May you win an argument against an annoying man today, in the true spirit of Katherine herself.
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Happy St Katherine's Day to all scholars, librarians, and Katherines. May you win an argument against an annoying man today, in the true spirit of Katherine herself.
I agree with the UVa faculty senate: the Rector and Vice Rector must resign, and the presidential search must be paused.
A statement from 181 concerned faculty on the Faculty Senate’s Nov. 14 resolution
Continuing the search now would be all the proof needed to conclude that the Board and Mahoney are acting not in the University’s best interests but pursuant to some other agenda, if further proof wer...
www.cavalierdaily.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I agree with the UVa faculty senate: the Rector and Vice Rector must resign, and the presidential search must be paused.
AAR/SBL folks: Sunday, 8-11pm First Church Boston (on Marlborough between Clarendon and Berkeley)!
Alumni and friends of UVa Religious Studies: you are invited to our reception at the AAR/SBL annual meeting!
Sunday, November 23, 8-11pm at First Church Boston.
The venue is not a literal ship as in years past, but the etymology of “nave” keeps us in line with UVa tradition.
Sunday, November 23, 8-11pm at First Church Boston.
The venue is not a literal ship as in years past, but the etymology of “nave” keeps us in line with UVa tradition.
November 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM
AAR/SBL folks: Sunday, 8-11pm First Church Boston (on Marlborough between Clarendon and Berkeley)!
Reposted by Janet Spittler
lovely and enlightening event about @ingerkuin.bsky.social's new DIOGENES book in conversation w @aristofontes.bsky.social. there were sheet cookies with the cover!
November 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
lovely and enlightening event about @ingerkuin.bsky.social's new DIOGENES book in conversation w @aristofontes.bsky.social. there were sheet cookies with the cover!
Reposted by Janet Spittler
Early Christian Epistolarity is out now! Get your copy (or, you know, get your library to order it) at brill.com/display/titl.... It was an honor to work on this project with Judith Lieu
@greggiven.bsky.social @angelastandh.bsky.social @cavanconcannon.bsky.social, Harry Maier (1/2)
@greggiven.bsky.social @angelastandh.bsky.social @cavanconcannon.bsky.social, Harry Maier (1/2)
November 21, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Early Christian Epistolarity is out now! Get your copy (or, you know, get your library to order it) at brill.com/display/titl.... It was an honor to work on this project with Judith Lieu
@greggiven.bsky.social @angelastandh.bsky.social @cavanconcannon.bsky.social, Harry Maier (1/2)
@greggiven.bsky.social @angelastandh.bsky.social @cavanconcannon.bsky.social, Harry Maier (1/2)
From the inimitable @ingerkuin.bsky.social!
Having a Drink With Your Donkey: The Absurd in Antiquity
engagement.virginia.edu
November 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
From the inimitable @ingerkuin.bsky.social!