I will be on vacation until the end of July.  I will return to blogging on Monday, August 1, 2011.  This has been a busy summer for me.  I have been reading articles and books that are related to what I will be teaching next academic year.  After I return, I will list some of the books that have been on my reading list this summer and will blog on a few of them.

I will probably be unable to respond to comments made to posts during the next few days.  There is an Internet café in the place where I will be staying, but I cannot guarantee that I will be able to answer your comments.  If I do not answer your comments while I am away, I will answer them upon my return.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you, readers of my blog. The response I have received from you in the past has been very encouraging and very positive.  Your words of encouragement make blogging a pleasure.

I hope to continue blogging in order to teach the Old Testament to more people and to develop among my readers a deep appreciation for the Old Testament as the Word of God.  As I tell my students every year, the Bible does not begin with the Gospel of Matthew.

I hope you have a great summer.  I will see you in a few days.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary