Bart Ehrman on The Daily Show
Bart Ehrman was on The Daily Show today talking about his new book, Misquoting Jesus. Normally, when Mark starts harping on about theology I glaze over and enter a catatonic state until he's finished. After all, if it doesn't contain the word "computer" or "C++", what is there to interest me? However, I know that Mark knows Bart Ehrman. In addition, "Misquoting Jesus" is a catchy title and Jon Stewart is funny. This was enough to hook me, so I watched the interview.
It was an interesting interview. Ehrman talked about how he used to be a "born again" Christian who believed that the Bible was the exact and unchangeable Word of God, until he studied theology. He then realised that there were thousands of manuscripts, each different, which have been utilised in the formation of the sort of book we would find in a hotel room.
Jon Stewart then made an astute point (and one that reflects my own view) -- that the knowledge that the Bible has developed over time; and reflects the experiences and biases of both the original writers and the countless subsequent scribes; only serves to bring the Bible to life and make it more, not less Godly. He said that he had not previously been interested in the Bible, but that reading Ehrman's book has made it seem more exciting.
I've never met Bart Ehrman myself, but I think that he came across very well on the programme. I must admit that the interview has made me want to read his book.
I'm just on the penultimate chapter of a book that one of Mark's friends wrote, called The Gospel Hoax. Apparently, there was a chap called Morton Smith who, in the late 1950s, made up a gospel (known to theologians as Secret Mark). Stephen Carlson, the said friend, is a patent attorney who used his skills to show how the gospel was actually an elaborate hoax. The last chapter is called "The Anatomy of an Academic Hoax". I haven't got there yet, but I'm hoping that it's going to be an Agatha Christie style telling us how he did it. If you like a good hoax story, this book is a good read.
Once I've finished this book, I might start on Ehrman's. I get the impression that it's aimed at a level where even non-theologians can understand it.
It was an interesting interview. Ehrman talked about how he used to be a "born again" Christian who believed that the Bible was the exact and unchangeable Word of God, until he studied theology. He then realised that there were thousands of manuscripts, each different, which have been utilised in the formation of the sort of book we would find in a hotel room.
Jon Stewart then made an astute point (and one that reflects my own view) -- that the knowledge that the Bible has developed over time; and reflects the experiences and biases of both the original writers and the countless subsequent scribes; only serves to bring the Bible to life and make it more, not less Godly. He said that he had not previously been interested in the Bible, but that reading Ehrman's book has made it seem more exciting.
I've never met Bart Ehrman myself, but I think that he came across very well on the programme. I must admit that the interview has made me want to read his book.
I'm just on the penultimate chapter of a book that one of Mark's friends wrote, called The Gospel Hoax. Apparently, there was a chap called Morton Smith who, in the late 1950s, made up a gospel (known to theologians as Secret Mark). Stephen Carlson, the said friend, is a patent attorney who used his skills to show how the gospel was actually an elaborate hoax. The last chapter is called "The Anatomy of an Academic Hoax". I haven't got there yet, but I'm hoping that it's going to be an Agatha Christie style telling us how he did it. If you like a good hoax story, this book is a good read.
Once I've finished this book, I might start on Ehrman's. I get the impression that it's aimed at a level where even non-theologians can understand it.
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3 comments:
Imagine how excited I was as I reached for the video hearing that an eminent theologian from North Carolina was on! Then there seemed to be some imposter with an American accent, not the famous theologian, ex of Granville School, that we had all expected.
I watched this Daily Show episode tonight on Tivo. I admit afterwards I was thinking of reading his book myself.
Hello,
I think the formal logical and historical research of what Ribi Yehoshuas (the Messiah) from Nazareth's taught found at www.netzarim.co.il can be an interesting read for you.
Anders Branderud
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