I just finished it and it was amazing! I was wondering if any Christians have read it. Bart Teaches at Chapel Hill in North Carolina and he graduated from Princeton as well as 2 Evangelical Colleges previously, Moody Bible institute as well as wheaton college. He is now an Atheist after he researched the origins of what we know of the bible today. He is one of the leading biblical scholars in the world. After reading his book it made me realize that anyone who thinks the bible is the 100 percent true word of God is sadly mistaken and by taken away the bible there is No basis of Christianity. Just a little side note...Bart like many Atheists didn't start out trying to "Debunk" Christianity but through his in depth research and questioning he came to realize the truth. Have Any Christians Read this book?
2007-01-16 15:01:08 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think its so funny that not 1 christian has even answered this question! Typical So typical
2007-01-16 15:09:42 · update #1
I havent read the book yet.
But i do agree on what you said about atheism.
I started out just trying to learn more and more about this god, the more i learned about it, the less sense it made coming all together. Actually, going to church and going to bible studys is what lead me away from christianity.
2007-01-16 15:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by duffmanhb 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I used to fall for books like that too when I was younger. I lost my faith in Christianity in fact partly due to The Passover Plot. Long story short, since then I rediscovered my faith and have gone to seminary and have a Bachelor's in Sacred Theology.
Eventually I found out these books are the author's opinion and usually rely on faulty evidence. He's too quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Example: The story about Jesus chasing people might be out of place in John, but telling something out of sequence doesn't invalidate a story! It's also possible there are two incidents of Jesus overturning the tables, which is certainly possible.
Erhman also laments about things I learned in seminary, such as the King James manuscripts (Textus Receptus) supposedly being faulty. The manuscripts agree with 98% of known Biblical manuscripts. The Alexandrian manuscrips make up 2%...but some scholars consider them more "authentic" simply because they might be a little older. Furthermore, most modern Bible translations are based on the Alexandrian manuscripts anyway, so what's the big deal?
Erman makes claims about the number of textual variants in the New Testament, but fails to mention that most of these are either spelling variations (e.g. "Colossae" or "Colassae") and minor disagreements (e.g. "Christ Jesus," or "Jesus Christ," or "Jesus," or "Christ"), and would rarely affect meaning, let alone doctrine!
Erhman is a big fan of Gnostic Gospels, which are about as authentic as The Urantia Book or the Book of Mormon. The Gnostic scriptures were written 400 years after Christ. They are a rebellion against Christianity, combining Pagan beliefs with the Gospel. If Erhman was really worth his salt, he would realize this. They're hardly a credible source. Apparently niether is Erhman!
Lay people might find this book interesting (Just as the DaVinci Code is a runaway hit), partly because they don't know any better, but most ministers have heard this stuff before.
Those examples which he claim do affect doctrines, are many times cited misleadingly and the doctrines are in fact supported elsewhere in the New Testament (e.g. in parallel synoptic texts, Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
If you really want to study the bible, dowload a free copy of Esword. It will allow you to look up the Greek or Hebrew word of any word in the Bible and see it's meaning (and it's easier than learning Greek or Hebrew).
" think its so funny that not 1 christian has even answered this question! Typical So typical"
Do you even bother to read these answers or are you just being sarcastic?
2007-01-16 15:36:59 · answer #2 · answered by The Notorious Doctor Zoom Zoom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a series of lectures from Bart D. Ehrman on the New Testament, and his book on the New Testament is our textbook for my Christian Scriptures class which I'm taking now. I also have his book "Lost Scriptures" and "Lost Christianities" which are very interesting. I have not read the book you mention though. In the textbook for the New Testament, Bart does not give any outlandish theories really. It is all just normative Biblical scholarship. And even just understanding this, you would have a hard time believing that the Bible was 100% the divinely inspired word of God.
However, this to my mind in no way proves Atheism. And I'm sure that this is not the only thing that led Ehrman to Atheism. You don't have to believe that the New Testament is 100% the inspired Word of God in order to believe in God, and even in some form of Christianity. I am a Hindu, and I believe that there is much metaphorical truth in Christianity, and none of the "metaphorical truth" is debunked just because of any Biblical scholarship.
However, it is important I think for Christians to be familiar with the history of their own Scriptures, because I see it as a mistake for them to believe that 100% of the Scriptures ought to be taken literally. That belief can even be dangerous.
2007-01-16 15:10:50 · answer #3 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I was atheist before I read the book and remain so after. I have family and friends who are Christian and have read the book and it didn't change their belief. It's an interesting book that all should read so they might gain further insight into the bible and it's just a starting place. Any belief worth having is worth questioning. Only those who fear their beliefs are not true will not question them.
2016-03-29 01:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could have told you that the bible wasn't true without even researching anything!!
But i haven't read that book but i think i might have a look for it!! would be very interesting read
2007-01-16 15:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
SORRY NO CAN DO I WILL NOT PUT A THIEF IN MY MIND TO STEAL MY SOUL SEEMS LIKE HE HIMSELF ALREADY DID JUST ANOTHER idiot in my book and so you understand were i am coming from i will not now or never denounce JESUS OR GOD kill me first because that is the only way you are going to shut me up and my voice which is saying REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS UPON YOU HE IS REAL HE IS THE LORD HE IS THE SON OF GOD PERIOD END OF STORY YA HE IS COMING AGAIN THE BIBLE IS TRUE AND THAT BOOK IS A FALSE DOCTRINE THAT IS SPAWNED IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL AND WROTE FROM SATAN'S OWN HAND !!!!!
2007-01-16 15:13:30 · answer #6 · answered by THE WAR WRENCH 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Bart is an excellent author. I recommend his 'Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code' as well as 'Lost Christianities'. Unfortunately, many Bible thumpers would have no inclination to become more enlightened.
Live well..............
illuminostic
2007-01-16 15:14:13 · answer #7 · answered by illuminostic_1 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I understand trying to spread information and I admire you for that, but the Christian's aren't going to buy whatever is written in that book.
They'll conveniently blame everything written in that book on their Satan because it goes against Christianity.
2007-01-16 15:14:29 · answer #8 · answered by Joa5 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should read also "Reinventing Jesus" By Wallace
2007-01-16 15:06:03 · answer #9 · answered by lou 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, but going by your description I'll be picking it up shortly at the library to read!
2007-01-16 15:04:02 · answer #10 · answered by Zhukov 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋