iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I am the dean of faculty at my little college, and one of the absolute best parts of my job is that I supervise our campus farm. A few of our goats had some babies earlier this week. This little sweetheart is three days old.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I’m researching Durupinar, which is back in the news as the supposed remains of Noah’s Ark. It has quite a cast of characters! Throughout today, I’ll introduce some of them—from the captain who spotted it in an aerial photograph to the folks behind Noah’s Ark Scans. #NoahsArk

The so-called Durupinar formation in eastern Turkey is pictured here. It is a boat shaped natural geological formation surrounded by hills

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Are there people currently researching Noah’s Ark in Turkey? No. But there are certainly people who think that’s what they’re doing—and they’re far from the first. I wrote about this back in May, if you’re interested in having a look. vandeneykel.substack.com/p/have-archa...

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I am starting to think email was a bad idea.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Travel tip: when you travel, change the name of your iPhone and let your hotspot sow some chaos as you walk through the airport.

Screenshot of my hotspot named "Trump is a Turd."

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Young-earth creationism is wrong about the past, but the greater danger is what it teaches people to do with evidence in the present: accept whatever confirms their claims, reject whatever might correct them, and call the result "belief." vandeneykel.substack.com/p/answers-be...

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A folding smartphone is an expensive admission that most of us were happier when flip phones were the norm.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

We aren’t quite at the level of a robot takeover, but rest assured we are getting there.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

One of Christianity’s more dangerous interpretive habits is also one of its most familiar. vandeneykel.substack.com/p/the-hebrew...

Photograph of a Hebrew manuscript, with the title “the Hebrew Bible does not need Jesus“ as well as the title of my Substack, the Bible and its afterlives

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Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel

Tony Burke @tonyburke.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Seven (?) years in the making, submitted to my editors yesterday. 624 pages, covering almost 400 texts but 100 or so pages over my page limit. Happy to leave this in the hands of the editors for a while and move on to something else (or just get more sleep). My thanks to all who helped along the way

Draft of opening page to Introduction to Christian Apocrypha by Tony Burke

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This morning, one of my kids asked what a “chaos agent“ is. Before I could respond, her sibling said “you know those people who defeat gyms on Pokémon Go and then leave them empty? That’s a chaos agent.“ Only some of you possess the knowledge and sophistication to realize that she is correct.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

“Biblical literalism” continues to fascinate me because of how often “just read the text exactly as written” can so quickly shift into “now let’s figure out how Noah fit dinosaurs on the ark.”

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Me on Facebook after I commented on one of the many nonsense posts from @answersingenesis.org. Facebook algorithm: “Hey Eric. I hear you like nonsense posts. Here are many more.” Seriously, these folks are the epitome of idiocy.

static.klipy.com

Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Crying with Phone Meme

ALT: Tobey Maguire Spider-Man Crying with Phone Meme

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

What if…and hear me out…we just got rid of grades altogether and agreed on another method of assessment.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Now that Hadestown is in theaters, I’m curious to see if people will go after it like they have the Odyssey. Although I guess there are different ancient accounts of Orpheus and Eurydice.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I didn’t mind Nolan’s Odyssey. I also like Homer’s.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

My six year old just learned how to use a juke box. His selection: Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. #FatherOfTheYear

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I finally read The Widening of God’s Mercy by Christopher and Richard Hays. I went in skeptical. I came out with more questions and a few thoughts. Have a look if that’s your thing. open.substack.com/pub/vandeney...

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I’m grateful that the Supreme Court decided to follow the plain text of our Constitution on birthright citizenship. I also can’t stop thinking about how archaic the whole system is: the idea that you are a different kind of person because you were born on one side or the other of an imaginary line.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Pickles are fine. Even great, sometimes. But I just saw an Instagram reel recommending frozen pickle slices in Sauvignon Blanc, and I wish we would stop inflating every minor taste preference into a lifestyle trend until it becomes a caricature.

static.klipy.com

Pickles James Franco

ALT: Pickles James Franco

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Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel

Jonathan Heaps @jonathanrheaps.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I think Eric is right that “the right response to all of this is…to figure out how to teach it from a non-sectarian position.” The only thing I’d add is that the effort to educate from a non-sectarian perspective isn’t neutral either but expresses the positive values of the state (& that’s good!)

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I put some thoughts down over the weekend about Texas and the Bible in public schools debate. I welcome thoughts and pushback (seriously - this needs to be a public conversation), but please read further than the title before engaging. Thanks :) buff.ly/6Kg56FJ

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I finished up my Shroud of Turin series on Substack today with some (hopefully constructive) thoughts on the Shroud as icon. buff.ly/DFGNv3u

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Dante neglected to mention the circle of hell reserved for people who crowd the baggage carousel before their bag is even visible.

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Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel

Dr Meredith JC Warren @drmjcwarren.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Congratulations to all contributors to Judeophobia and the New Testament: Texts and Contexts! We’re honoured to have been awarded 1st place in the category of Scripture — Academic Studies in the Catholic Media Association’s 2026 Book Awards. 🏆📖🍾 @apocalypsenow5.bsky.social @evandeneykel.bsky.social

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

My favorite epitaph in the Capitoline Museum (6th century): “This is the burial place of Fortunatus and Lucia, wherein lies their daughter Gemmula, who lived about 10 years, and whoever violates this tomb shall suffer the fate of Judas.” May we all be so bold!

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Going to post the sign on my office door.

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Reposted by Eric Vanden Eykel

Sam Harrelson @samharrelson.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Fun read here from @evandeneykel.bsky.social on the Magi but especially a glimpse into academic curiosity and following your gut to create something awesome: www.ancientjewreview.com/read/2025/12...

ancientjewreview.com

Lessons Learned from the Magi — ANCIENT JEW REVIEW

The twelve verses about the Magi in Matthew do not invite final answers; they invite attention, patience, and the persistence to keep digging.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I am traveling in Italy with my daughter, and we have reached the Zen part of travel where you start dressing the same way without planning it.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Tonight I got to watch the sunset from the Areopagus Hill with my daughter and around 500 others. I’m not generally short on words, but I was tonight.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Yesterday I took my daughter to the Parthenon in Athens. She spent a good amount of time mocking Poseidon because obviously Athena is better. This morning she made a meme. Nerdy kids are the best kids.

Poseidon looking forlorn, with the caption “me when my niece’s temple is bigger than mine”

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Facebook reminded me that I created this meme 10 years ago today. I consider it some of my finest and most under recognized work.

A person crying, with the caption “I forgot to shake the mustard”

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Part 3 of my Shroud of Turin series is now up. Why do arguments for the Shroud’s authenticity feel persuasive to so many? What role do pseudoscience, credential borrowing, speculation, and “perhaps” reasoning play? More broadly: why do bad arguments matter? buff.ly/5L23hF7

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Part 2 of my short series on the Shroud of Turin is now up. This time: the science. Radiocarbon dating. Coins over the eyes. Pollen from Jerusalem. Blood. The famous photographic negative. How persuasive are the claims for the Shroud’s authenticity, really? buff.ly/pdM6l6a

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I’ve been working on a Substack series on my favorite medieval relic: the Shroud of Turin. Up first: the problem of provenance. Where does the Shroud come from? Why are historians skeptical that it is a 1st-century artifact? Spoiler: the problems start as soon as it shows up. buff.ly/VByrWYS

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Some more thoughts on flood stuff - always nice to rediscover rabbit holes that you haven't thought much about for the past 15 years or so. Thanks TikTok! buff.ly/SvAPzLJ

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Last week I kicked a hornet's nest on TikTok (on purpose, and it was fun), and I spent the weekend thinking about the flood stories, as one does. Then I wrote about them, as one also does. buff.ly/PHSCoje

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

New analysis of the Shroud of Turin produces SHOCKING results. Some will say it’s photoshopped but that wasn’t invented until later. CHECKMATE you doubters! 🔥🔥

The shroud of turin face with a guy fawkes mask.

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Why start a Substack? Partly because I missed writing things that weren’t emails. Partly because writing gets harder when you stop doing it. And partly because I think scholarship should exist beyond paywalls. buff.ly/tiXlKvZ

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

In April, I gave the annual Blake Lecture sponsored by VCU’s Department of History. Constructing the Jewish Other explores rhetoric in ancient Christian literature and why studying the past still matters, especially as the humanities face increasing pressure to justify their value. buff.ly/3TqqHrb

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

I'm sure at least some of you woke up with this question on your mind. buff.ly/45WSUZQ

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Tomorrow's Substack is about #dinosaurs. If that's your thing. vandeneykel.substack.com

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Eric Vanden Eykel @evandeneykel.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

I learned about this site during my last year in college, and I'm still shocked every time it appears under the banner of a legitimate news story. buff.ly/ZgxcHVf

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