wow - just listened to the NPR interview with Bart Ehrman, that Dima pointed out to me.
Ehrman is the professor of theology in Chapel Hill. He was a born-again at age 15, who has lapsed following the historical study of translations of the bible. Argument is that the NT as we know it is a result of multiple copies, mistakes and revisions over time - so how can you treat it as an authoritaive work ?
listen here - pretty good argument, fabulous anecdotes including Erasmus's translation w/o the explanation of the Holy Trinity.
What is interesting is the arguments around it - here is a good discussion group (again Dima pointed it out), I am sure there are many more. The Amazon reviews are truly impressive - (maybe reflection on good editorial bringing to top best reviews) - but discuss the issues in depth. amazon reviews -
On why he's happier as an agnostic than an evangelical
"I no longer believe something I know to be false. The words of the bible are not the inherant words of God there are discrepencies int he bible that cannot be reconciled and we don't even have the original words themselves. So basing ones life on words that we don't even have doesn't seem to be the way to go"
I agree with that - but I don't think that just becasue you reject the "protestant bibliolatry" - not sure if that's the correct phrase - but effectively the fundamentalism of the written word - (which I definitely do) - i don't think you reject the mystery and belief in god. There are excellent reviews that point out Christianity is more than the written word - and I agree (but then that's my upbringing - wishy washy low church anti-evangelical episcopalianism)
I think the toughest bit for the reviewers is Ehrman's abandonment of his faith - but then i think that's probably becasue evangelical belief on just the written word is a house of straw. Here is a great section from one of the Amazon reviews
"Evangelical Protestant bibliolatry has not helped with its neglect of vast portions of Christian tradition that bring light to the Gospel. And that is the key: tradition. Ehrman would do well to get a life outside the academy and both Christian fundamentalisms, liberal and conservative, and -- through scripture, tradition, the sacraments, a dose of fairy tales, Chesterton, and Lewis -- begin seeking the God who is there"
There is no faith in Christ without the Word of Christ as this is the way he manifests himself. Biblicism can be criticized, but if the Divine being spoke the words, they must be believed. How do you know what his words are? How does he reveal himself apart from his words? Christ shows us the Father because of what he does and says. This is the record of Scripture and must be believed in order for true fatih to exist.
Posted by: Stephen Johnson | July 03, 2006 at 12:50 PM