Paul Middleton
@profpaulmiddleton.bsky.social
Professor of NT and Early Christianity, University of Chester.
Researcher in violence and martyrdom in the ancient world.
Double Bass player and SNP member.
Researcher in violence and martyrdom in the ancient world.
Double Bass player and SNP member.
There was a lot of intetest in my B&M shopping trolley this afternoon!!
October 25, 2025 at 5:38 PM
There was a lot of intetest in my B&M shopping trolley this afternoon!!
My 'expert' view as unofficial Professor of Biblical and Irn Bru Studies is that this ungodly mixture is covered by Leviticus 19:19. It is, therefore, an abomination.
To be honest, I'd need a lot of persuading cinnamon belongs in anything (other than cinnamon buns, and even then at a push)!
To be honest, I'd need a lot of persuading cinnamon belongs in anything (other than cinnamon buns, and even then at a push)!
Going to need @profpaulmiddleton.bsky.social to weigh in on this one.
October 11, 2025 at 9:11 AM
My 'expert' view as unofficial Professor of Biblical and Irn Bru Studies is that this ungodly mixture is covered by Leviticus 19:19. It is, therefore, an abomination.
To be honest, I'd need a lot of persuading cinnamon belongs in anything (other than cinnamon buns, and even then at a push)!
To be honest, I'd need a lot of persuading cinnamon belongs in anything (other than cinnamon buns, and even then at a push)!
"One of the greatest acts of pick-pocketry!"
I agree with the commentator, but who cares! 😀
Scotland 3 Greece 1
🏴🏴🏴 #SCOvGRE
I agree with the commentator, but who cares! 😀
Scotland 3 Greece 1
🏴🏴🏴 #SCOvGRE
October 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
"One of the greatest acts of pick-pocketry!"
I agree with the commentator, but who cares! 😀
Scotland 3 Greece 1
🏴🏴🏴 #SCOvGRE
I agree with the commentator, but who cares! 😀
Scotland 3 Greece 1
🏴🏴🏴 #SCOvGRE
Reposted by Paul Middleton
Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Vol. 23, No. 2-3 (2025) brill.com/view/journal... @dgb-relbibtheo.bsky.social They Suffered Under Pontius Pilate: Jewish Anti-Roman Resistance and the Crosses at Golgotha @robertjmyles.bsky.social @profpaulmiddleton.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Vol. 23, No. 2-3 (2025) brill.com/view/journal... @dgb-relbibtheo.bsky.social They Suffered Under Pontius Pilate: Jewish Anti-Roman Resistance and the Crosses at Golgotha @robertjmyles.bsky.social @profpaulmiddleton.bsky.social
The British New Testament Society conference is taking place in Manchester. Tonight, we have a panel on decolonising New Testament Studies. #bnts25
@bntsoc.bsky.social
@bntsoc.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The British New Testament Society conference is taking place in Manchester. Tonight, we have a panel on decolonising New Testament Studies. #bnts25
@bntsoc.bsky.social
@bntsoc.bsky.social
The way to challenge the racist, far-right, anti-immigration, anti-asylum seeker rhetoric is not to say extreme plans won't work, but pander to the sentiment and offer a 'softer' version; it's to declare that it is wrong.
www.thenational.scot/politics/254...
www.thenational.scot/politics/254...
John Swinney: Under the SNP, refugees will always be welcome in Scotland
The scenes we have witnessed in recent weeks demonising migrants and refugees have been deeply depressing. And while these are clearly the actions…
www.thenational.scot
August 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The way to challenge the racist, far-right, anti-immigration, anti-asylum seeker rhetoric is not to say extreme plans won't work, but pander to the sentiment and offer a 'softer' version; it's to declare that it is wrong.
www.thenational.scot/politics/254...
www.thenational.scot/politics/254...
My most controversial (but correct) view is the moment racism became mainstream in British (English) politics (under the circumlocution "concerned about immigration") was during the 2010 Election Campaign, when Gordon Brown did not say: "I called her a bigoted woman because she was a bigoted woman!"
August 30, 2025 at 8:38 AM
My most controversial (but correct) view is the moment racism became mainstream in British (English) politics (under the circumlocution "concerned about immigration") was during the 2010 Election Campaign, when Gordon Brown did not say: "I called her a bigoted woman because she was a bigoted woman!"
It's hot here in the South of France, but there are wasps floating in the pool!!
August 6, 2025 at 11:15 AM
It's hot here in the South of France, but there are wasps floating in the pool!!
The new Archbishop of Wales is The Rt Rev Cheery Vann, who was the first woman ordained priest by the Church of England, is the first woman Archbishop of Wales, and is (I think) the first LGBTQ+ primus of an Anglican Province.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cherry Vann announced as new Archbishop of Wales
Cherry Van was the first woman ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The new Archbishop of Wales is The Rt Rev Cheery Vann, who was the first woman ordained priest by the Church of England, is the first woman Archbishop of Wales, and is (I think) the first LGBTQ+ primus of an Anglican Province.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Assisted Dying is often seen as a clash between religious and secular world views. The Church of Scotland's report argues there is theological integrity in a range of positions. Assembly narrowly voted to remain opposed, but commends the report for study.
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
June 21, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Assisted Dying is often seen as a clash between religious and secular world views. The Church of Scotland's report argues there is theological integrity in a range of positions. Assembly narrowly voted to remain opposed, but commends the report for study.
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
The Rt Rev Rosie Frew becomes Moderator of tge General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the King has affirmed his Coronation Oath to uphold Presbyterian government in Scotland.
#GA2025
#GA2025
May 17, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The Rt Rev Rosie Frew becomes Moderator of tge General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the King has affirmed his Coronation Oath to uphold Presbyterian government in Scotland.
#GA2025
#GA2025
A very rare occurrence. I've just submitted the third of my overdue articles, meaning I currently have nothing overdue.
It won't last long, but for the moment, may the saints be praised!
#AcademicLife
It won't last long, but for the moment, may the saints be praised!
#AcademicLife
May 13, 2025 at 7:38 PM
A very rare occurrence. I've just submitted the third of my overdue articles, meaning I currently have nothing overdue.
It won't last long, but for the moment, may the saints be praised!
#AcademicLife
It won't last long, but for the moment, may the saints be praised!
#AcademicLife
The Church of Scotland's report on Assisted Dying urges participants in this kind of debate to listen to what those who disagree with them are actually saying. It sets out theological arguments to support a range of positions.
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
May 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The Church of Scotland's report on Assisted Dying urges participants in this kind of debate to listen to what those who disagree with them are actually saying. It sets out theological arguments to support a range of positions.
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/asset...
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony.
May 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony.
A surprisingly quick election of the next Pope.
Robert Prevost, the first American to be elected, will be known as Leo XIV.
Robert Prevost, the first American to be elected, will be known as Leo XIV.
May 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A surprisingly quick election of the next Pope.
Robert Prevost, the first American to be elected, will be known as Leo XIV.
Robert Prevost, the first American to be elected, will be known as Leo XIV.
Nicola Sturgeon says the early responses to the Supreme Court ruling risks making the life of trans people "almost unliveable" and "doesn't make a single woman safer."
I entirely agree. The Supreme Court judges ruling rendered the 2004 Gender reform Act obsolete.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I entirely agree. The Supreme Court judges ruling rendered the 2004 Gender reform Act obsolete.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Court ruling could make trans life 'unliveable' - Sturgeon
The former first minister has spoken for the first time about the Supreme Court's judgement on the definition of a woman.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Nicola Sturgeon says the early responses to the Supreme Court ruling risks making the life of trans people "almost unliveable" and "doesn't make a single woman safer."
I entirely agree. The Supreme Court judges ruling rendered the 2004 Gender reform Act obsolete.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I entirely agree. The Supreme Court judges ruling rendered the 2004 Gender reform Act obsolete.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The best part of this story is the farm owner's impressive Biblical literacy (with no reference in the article). The foal which both donkeys think is theirs is called Solomon!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donkey has two mums after 'one in a million' birth
Two donkeys gave birth at exactly the same time leaving their carers with a mystery to solve.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
The best part of this story is the farm owner's impressive Biblical literacy (with no reference in the article). The foal which both donkeys think is theirs is called Solomon!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cutting frontline teaching staff is always a choice and inevitably damages student experience. The tragedy is when many academics leave the profession their disciplines are the poorer. That can rarely be said of the managers who make these decisions.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...
Cardiff University warned of 'spiral of decline' risk over job cuts plan
The way Cardiff University announced planned cuts has 'seriously damaged' its reputation, academics have warned management
www.walesonline.co.uk
April 29, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Cutting frontline teaching staff is always a choice and inevitably damages student experience. The tragedy is when many academics leave the profession their disciplines are the poorer. That can rarely be said of the managers who make these decisions.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...
Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but risen! (Luke 24.5–6)
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
April 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but risen! (Luke 24.5–6)
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
When I was a student at Princeton (hundreds of years ago), the fact it was pitch dark at 8pm in early September had me checking the globe in the library. I'd not realised how far south the US was!
The US and Canada mapped at equivalent European latitudes. (via Amazing Maps)
March 29, 2025 at 10:34 AM
When I was a student at Princeton (hundreds of years ago), the fact it was pitch dark at 8pm in early September had me checking the globe in the library. I'd not realised how far south the US was!
The elephant in the room is much of Makin's criticism of Welby is fanciful. The 'case' against Welby is beyond confirming it had been reported to the police, he didn't follow it up. Makin's fanciful conclusion is had he done so, it might have made a difference.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Justin Welby tells BBC abuse in Church was 'overwhelming'
In his first interview since resigning, the former Archbishop of Canterbury tells Laura Kuenssberg about his failures on the John Smyth case.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 29, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The elephant in the room is much of Makin's criticism of Welby is fanciful. The 'case' against Welby is beyond confirming it had been reported to the police, he didn't follow it up. Makin's fanciful conclusion is had he done so, it might have made a difference.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland has been uncharacteristically jammy (and I mean lashings of jam) in this match! 😆
FT: Greece 0 Scotland 1
#GreSco 🏴 #UEFAnationsleague
FT: Greece 0 Scotland 1
#GreSco 🏴 #UEFAnationsleague
March 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Scotland has been uncharacteristically jammy (and I mean lashings of jam) in this match! 😆
FT: Greece 0 Scotland 1
#GreSco 🏴 #UEFAnationsleague
FT: Greece 0 Scotland 1
#GreSco 🏴 #UEFAnationsleague
This lunchtime, I'm speaking in the second of five Chester Cathedral Lent Bible Talks on the Nicene Creed in Biblical Perspective.
Today, we believe in One Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, we believe in One Lord Jesus Christ.
March 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
This lunchtime, I'm speaking in the second of five Chester Cathedral Lent Bible Talks on the Nicene Creed in Biblical Perspective.
Today, we believe in One Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, we believe in One Lord Jesus Christ.