The White Dwarf Population in NGC 1039 (M34) and the White Dwarf Initial-Final Mass Relation

We present the first detailed photometric and spectroscopic study of the white dwarfs (WDs) in the field of the ~225 Myr old (log tau_cl = 8.35) open cluster NGC 1039 (M34) as part of the ongoing Lick-Arizona White Dwarf Survey. Using wide-field UBV imaging, we photometrically select 44 WD candidates in this field. We spectroscopically identify 19 of these objects as WDs; 17 are hydrogen-atmosphere DA WDs, one is a helium-atmosphere DB WD, and one is a cool DC WD that exhibits no detectable absorption lines. We find an effective temperature (T_eff) and surface gravity (log g) for each DA WD by fitting Balmer-line profiles from model atmospheres to the observed spectra. WD evolutionary models are then invoked to derive masses and cooling times for each DA WD. Of the 17 DAs, five are at the approximate distance modulus of the cluster. Another WD with a distance modulus 0.45 mag brighter than that of the cluster could be a double-degenerate binary cluster member, but is more likely to be a field WD. We place the five single cluster member WDs in the empirical initial-final mass relation and find that three of them lie very close to the previously derived linear relation; two have WD masses significantly below the relation. These outliers may have experienced some sort of enhanced mass loss or binary evolution; however, it is quite possible that these WDs are simply interlopers from the field WD population. Eight of the 17 DA WDs show significant CaII K absorption; comparison of the absorption strength with the WD distances suggests that the absorption is interstellar, though this cannot be confirmed with the current data.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. Figures 1, 2 and 3 reduced in resolutio

The Fourth Gospel in a Three-Year Lectionary

The Gospel of John does not march in step with the other gospels. Perhaps this is why the framers of the three-year lectionary now used by many Christian churches found it so difficult to domesticate John. The readings from Matthew, Mark, and Luke proceed in measured pace, one gospel per year, while the Fourth Gospel appears sporadically throughout the lectionary, claiming a premier role on festival days, dominating the Easter season, and making occasional guest appearances. Yet since there is no “Year of John,” those who preach from the lectionary face the formidable task of capturing this “maverick” gospel without the opportunity for an extended pursuit over a twelve-month period. This interpretive challenge is the focus of our work here

The Interplay of Word and World: Biblical and Experiential Reflections

From his vantage as a New Testament scholar and seminary leader, Craig Koester reflects on the interchange between Word and World through the lens of biblical studies, especially through several examples. Koester is Vice President of Academic Affairs, Professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary

Promise and Warning: The Lord\u27s Supper in 1 Corinthians

There is a yes and a no in Paul\u27s understanding of the Lord\u27s supper—a yes to life and promise and Christ, a no to sin and death and other religious claims. A biblically based participation in communion will hear both with equal clarity

The Passion and Resurrection According to John

The story of the passion follows the upward movement of the pendulum. It begins with Jesus in the posture of a slave, washing his disciples’ feet (chap. 13); but concludes when Thomas recognizes that Jesus is both Lord and God (20:28), bringing the story back to the high point where it began in 1:1. Each year John’s passion account appears in the lectionary for Holy Week and his story of the resurrection is appointed for Easter and the Sunday after Easter, providing an opportunity for sustained reading and proclamation of these texts. John’s narrative is masterfully told; the drama is bold, yet subtle. Those who contemplate its message are drawn into the very heart of the Christian faith