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Jesus, Interrupted By Bart D. Ehrman

Jesus, Interrupted

Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them)

by Bart D. Ehrman

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Jesus, Interrupted

“The Bible is the most widely purchased, extensively read, and deeply revered book in the history of Western Civilization,” writes Bible expert Bart Ehrman. It is also, he feels, the most thoroughly misunderstood. And so, picking up where he left off in his New York Times bestseller Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman searches for the truth behind the New Testament in Jesus, Interrupted. Ehrman’s own story sets the stage: he was a devout Christian whose studies of the New Testament led him to the realization that his belief that the Bible was an inerrant revelation from God was “flat-out wrong.” And so he seeks to explain how “historical-critical” scholarship on the Bible forced him to change his views. He begins by showing how the Bible is filled with discrepancies, many of them irreconcilable contradictions. He explores many of these discrepancies, using as a key example the fact that Jesus actually dies on different days in Mark and John. Ehrman explains that only eight of the 27 books of the New Testament are known certainly to have been written by the people traditionally thought to be their authors, and that these various authors have widely diverging views of about who Jesus was and how salvation works. Was Jesus in doubt and despair on the way to the cross, as he is in Mark? Or was he calm and in control, as he is in Luke? Did Jesus perform signs to prove who he was, as John says, or did he refuse to perform such signs, as told in Matthew? Ehrman looks at some of the books that didn’t make it into the Bible, including the Apocalypse of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas, and he examines various heresies, exploring the diversity of early Christian belief. The fact is, he argues, the Gospels represent a later understanding of who Jesus was, and not a historical account of his life. Erhman emphatically states that the observations in Jesus, Interrupted are not his own idiosyncratic perspectives, but rather the standard and widespread views of critical scholars across a full spectrum of denominations and traditions, the results of two centuries of Bible studies that have drawn on archaeological discoveries, advances in our knowledge of the ancient Hebrew and Greek languages in which the books of Scripture were originally written, and many deep penetrating historical, literary and textual analyses. And while Ehrman acknowledges that some people reading Jesus, Interrupted may be uncomfortable with the information it presents, he maintains that historical understanding of the Bible does not have to lead to a loss of faith. But it does lead to an understanding that Christianity is a religion about Jesus, not the religion of Jesus, and ultimately to the realization that the Bible is a human book after all.

Softcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Harper San Francisco ( March 03, 2009 )

Item #: 33-8925

ISBN: 9781615235780

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.68 inches

Product Weight: 11.0 ounces

Excellent Analysis of Subject
November 10, 2009

Especially for those who have never examined the subject, Ehrman's review of problems with understanding and interpreting scripture provides a personal challenge that each Bible reader should be willing to undergo. It is a great help in learning the need to approach New Testament texts (especially the Gospels) without preconceived notions, although some of Ehrman's conclusions are at times overly black and white, and a more nuanced perspective that he does not always present can be achieved. But this is a good beginning for a serious reexamination of one's own approach to Scripture, and gaining a fresh perspective (albeit, limited due to space limitations) on how Christian faith and interpretation developed over its first few centuries, as well as the implications of this history for modern-day Bible readers. Some of the chapters serve as a useful synopsis of subjects that he has dealt with in greater detail in his other books (but, if interested in a deeper examination, it is worthwhile reading these and comparing other scholars' views ). Additionally, Ehrman offers insight into his personal biography, and the development of his relationship to the Bible text, and eventual questioning of his own faith. As some of the other member reviews show, there is a general bias against even making such an investigation, and instead of relating to the facts, turning on the author with a criticism of his motives. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Ehrman's conclusions, such flippant dismissal of his serious research is unfortunate. One word of warning for Book Club members. The present "Exclusive" offer is no exclusive. This paperback edition will be released in a couple of months with a list price of $15.99 (not $25.99!, which is the hardcover price). Many online sellers will be offering it at $10.79. Better to wait than to be ripped off at the present $17.99 price offered here.

Reviewer: Eric

Rehashing old arguments
November 02, 2009

I am sure the author is sincere and even believes that he is a true believer. The fact of the matter is that his hermeunutical method presupposes factual errors in the Bible and works backward from that assumption. Hardly intellectually honest. Furthermore, his arguments have been put forward by the German higher critics as early as the 19th century. These arguments, for the most part, have been debunked as biased against accepting the Bible as a reliable and trustworthy source of religious knowledge and truth. Those arguments that survive today have been handily refuted by most conservative scholars. The book is interesting as a historical perspective of the intellectual attacks against Christianity that inadvertently created the climate for what happened in Europe during the 20th century up to today; however, it does not add to the debate on the accuracy and trustworthiness of the Bible.

Reviewer: Michael L

Interesting book - constructive critique of the New Testament
October 27, 2009

I suppose this book might upset those who believe that the Bible was given to us in perfect and immutable form, when it is in reality a collection of writings brought together over time, and in the case of the Gospels, after the events reported. Perhaps it is not surprising the Bible has contridications and discrepencies - Even with much better documentation of events (films, written documents) in recent years, there certainly will be variations in a group of writers acceount of any event (say conversations at Yalta as an example). The fact that there are discrepancies in the Bible does not mean it is fails to be a great book with much to inspire -- rather it must be seen as a collection of writings written over time by a number of men with changes added in over time. Perhaps this conclusion offends some, but it is reality of much of anything we read from from centuries ago -- including writings of the Greeks and Romans.

Reviewer: Dan D

Bad research
October 23, 2009

My brother, one of the world's experts in the field, has studied questions such as this extensively and his faith is even stronger based on the historical evidence. Since I know him to be a brilliant and highly educated scholar, I must conclude that your research is insufficient. Please be careful that you know what you're saying before you make a statement such as this that could shake the faith of others!

Reviewer: Dianne

Heavy debater
October 21, 2009

Just another person trying to prove the Bible wrong, and I'm sick of these people. Trying to dispute the Bible's every word, and says most ppl interpret the Bible wrong. Well Mr. Erhman I think you are the one that is wrong and one day you will find that out yourself

Reviewer: Cheryl

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