Despite a preoccupation in the medical literature with developing an effective approach for breaking bad news, the sources are based on personal opinion alone and only in some instances on qualitative research. Recognizing the gravity of this topic coupled with respect for the wisdom of the written and oral Jewish scriptures, this work is an attempt to delve into the diverse ancient writings to...

If a community recognizes a set of moral values and commitments as compelling, as virtues, these become the foundations of moral discourse in that community. Other statements, new moral claims, and so on-as long as they are not absorbed into the set of shared virtues-have no or little standing. And, while there are frequently differences in interpreting the exact meanings and implications of pr...

Should theological scholarship be satisfied with alreadyexisting theories about revelation and inspiration, or is there room for development of a new understanding of the way in which the Hebrew-Christian Scriptures were originated? In this article I probe the question of the ground or basis for developing a new approach to this doctrine. Further aspects of the topic will be considered in later...

The English word “homosexual” is a derivative of two words, the Greek word homo, meaning “same,” and the Latin word sexus meaning “sex.” “Homosexual,” therefore, means same-sex activity, male with male, or female with female. In contemporary parlance male homosexuals are often called “gays,” and female homosexuals “lesbians.” The word “homosexual” is of relative modern origin, having been first...

The biblical giant Goliath has an identifiable family tree suggestive of autosomal dominant inheritance. We suggest that he had a hereditary pituitary disorder possibly due to the AIP gene, causing early onset and familial acromegaly or gigantism. We comment on the evidence within the scriptures for his other relatives including a relative with six digits and speculate on possible causes of the...