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
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!
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
#SBLAAR25: breakfast is one of the most expensive/inconvenient meals at conferences. on day 1 find a grocery/convenience store near your hotel & stock up on a few days worth of yogurt, cereal, etc. so you can save money & breakfast in your PJs.
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
#SBLAAR25: breakfast is one of the most expensive/inconvenient meals at conferences. on day 1 find a grocery/convenience store near your hotel & stock up on a few days worth of yogurt, cereal, etc. so you can save money & breakfast in your PJs.
It’s difficult to escape the sense that we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of this presidency. But these unravelings do take time. Nixon, after all, didn’t resign until more than a year after Senate hearings on Watergate were underway.
November 20, 2025 at 9:38 PM
It’s difficult to escape the sense that we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of this presidency. But these unravelings do take time. Nixon, after all, didn’t resign until more than a year after Senate hearings on Watergate were underway.
As an example of how traditions are passed on and sometimes change along the way, this morning on the way to the bus stop, my son looked at me and said “When I step on this crack, you will DIE!”
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
As an example of how traditions are passed on and sometimes change along the way, this morning on the way to the bus stop, my son looked at me and said “When I step on this crack, you will DIE!”
Since we are coming up on Magi season, I’ve started putting some Magi related videos on TikTok. Have a look if that’s your thing 😎 #CountdownToEpiphany
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMo3EDDN/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMo3EDDN/
The first video in a series exploring the “wise men” who visit Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. #epiphany #christmas #bible
TikTok video by Eric Vanden Eykel
www.tiktok.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Since we are coming up on Magi season, I’ve started putting some Magi related videos on TikTok. Have a look if that’s your thing 😎 #CountdownToEpiphany
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMo3EDDN/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMo3EDDN/
Epstein files are already trickling out.
November 18, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Epstein files are already trickling out.
Oof. I felt this acknowledgment in my bones. I am supremely grateful for good editors!
November 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Oof. I felt this acknowledgment in my bones. I am supremely grateful for good editors!
TikTok is wild.
November 15, 2025 at 5:19 PM
TikTok is wild.
“How often do you think about the Roman Empire” but take it to Wisconsin or Michigan and ask all the dudes about the Edmund Fitzgerald.
November 13, 2025 at 1:10 AM
“How often do you think about the Roman Empire” but take it to Wisconsin or Michigan and ask all the dudes about the Edmund Fitzgerald.
I sincerely hope that Bishop Barron stumbles upon this account at some point and takes a long, hard look in the mirror. Absolutely spot on, and much of it isn’t even parody.
People keep asking me to denounce Nick Fuentes, but look, if I denounced every white nationalist Catholic who did a chummy interview on a podcast where I also did a chummy interview a few months earlier, there would be no end to it
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I sincerely hope that Bishop Barron stumbles upon this account at some point and takes a long, hard look in the mirror. Absolutely spot on, and much of it isn’t even parody.
Many don't realize that when Jesus talks about the evil spirit leaving and then returning with seven more (Mt. 12:43-45), he was actually referring to answering emails with multiple people copied.
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Many don't realize that when Jesus talks about the evil spirit leaving and then returning with seven more (Mt. 12:43-45), he was actually referring to answering emails with multiple people copied.
Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel
I’m gonna be speaking on Thursday, November 6, at Ferrum College in Virginia. Come say hi! More details here:
www.ferrum.edu/news/biblica...
www.ferrum.edu/news/biblica...
October 30, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I’m gonna be speaking on Thursday, November 6, at Ferrum College in Virginia. Come say hi! More details here:
www.ferrum.edu/news/biblica...
www.ferrum.edu/news/biblica...
For some time now, I’ve maintained that Harambe’s death in 2016 is the moment that triggered our current apocalyptic hellscape. Look at the timeline since then and prove me wrong.
October 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For some time now, I’ve maintained that Harambe’s death in 2016 is the moment that triggered our current apocalyptic hellscape. Look at the timeline since then and prove me wrong.
The White House renovation doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the fact that it’s his focus during a government shutdown. It speaks volumes about his sense of the office—and himself.
October 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The White House renovation doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the fact that it’s his focus during a government shutdown. It speaks volumes about his sense of the office—and himself.