Forged

Writing in the Name of God - Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are

By: Bart D. Ehrman

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

It is often said, even by critical scholars who should know better, that “writing in the name of another” was widely accepted in antiquity. But New York Times best-selling author Bart D. Ehrman dares to call it what it was: literary forgery, a practice that was as scandalous then as itis today. In Forged, Ehrman’s fresh and original research takes readers back to the ancient world, where forgeries were used as weapons by unknown authors to fend off attacks to their faith and establish their church. So, if many of the books inthe Bible were not in fact written by Jesus’s inner circle - but by writers living decades later, with differing agendas in rival communities - what does that do to the authority of Scripture?

Ehrman investigates ancient sources to:

• Reveal which New Testament books were outright forgeries.
• Explain how widely forgery was practiced by early Christian writers - and how strongly it was condemned in the ancient world as fraudulent and illicit
• Expose the deception in the history of the Christian religion.

Ehrman’s fascinating story of fraud and deceit is essential reading for anyone interested in the truth about the Bible and the dubious origins of Christianity’s sacred texts.

©2010 Bart D. Ehrman (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

An Excellent Piece of Scholarship

If you enjoy theological histories, or if you just really love semantics, this book is for you. Feel like Christianity is missing the story behind the story? Fill in the blanks! Bugged by the self-righteous or Holier Than Thou? Arm yourself! Curious about why the modern world believes certain things the way we do? Educate yourself! Interested in esoteric archaeology and don't know where to dig? X marks the spot! Whatever your reasons for digging deep into early Christianity, there's something for everyone.

This isn't an easy read, and I certainly don't recommend plowing through it. Mr. Ehrman is a top notch scholar, and he gives you the benefit of his labors as straightforward as he can, and while he doesn't expect you to be the expert he is, it's still on you to keep up. This isn't the kind of book you listen to while doing other things. But don't let that scare you. It's only as complex as you want to make it. I'd suggest taking it slowly, in bite-size segments, letting the information marinate a bit before moving on to the next chapter. You'll make it to the bottom of the rabbit hole with confidence if you're willing to actively listen.

Aha!

Ehrman nailed it with this one. For those who mistakenly assume the Bible is the "Word of God" this will be a hard slap in the cheeks. For those who have the courage to think for themselves and examine other people's assumptions, this is a wonderful book. From my perspective, this is Ehrman's best...but I'm a fan. If you thought the Bible was super natural in origin, I dare you to read this.

Excellent work

Dr. Ehrman kills again in this awesome book that is highly educational for those seeking truth. Read magnificently by the narrator. I’m still going to buy a hard copy to study in the near future. Priceless purchase.

A must read for anyone who values the Bible.

I learned so much about a book I thought I knew. The Bible makes so much more sense now.

New information that I had never thought about. Incredible knowledge presented clearly by the author

I love learning new things. This book broadly extended my knowledge of canonized as well as extrabiblica ancient books regarding the origins and spread of Christianity.

This is one of the greatest books written.

The truth must be told and lies must be known. I believe many things in the Bible, but like everything there must be balance and this book and author has contributed greatly to society today. Be blessed for your balance and through research.

Made my Faith Stronger

I live in the middle of the Bible Belt. Springfield, Mo. is home to the Assembly of God and we have a baptist church on every corner. I have had several heated arguments with friends about the bible. One problem I have had is the inconsistencies in what the bible says. I especially had trouble with Paul's teachings. In one part of the bible Paul says that women can participate in church and in another they can't even ask questions in church, they are to wait until they get home and ask there husbands. In one part Paul wants everyone to be chaste, (No Sex) even with your spouse. In another women are suppose to have babies and raise them up in the church.

My friends are blind to these inconsistencies making up thinly veiled excuses and if you question the excuses you are awful and going to hell. I always had trouble with the wrathful God of the old testament and the loving God of the new testament being the same God and being perfect. My friends believe that God is perfect and the bible is perfect and if you question either, you are going to hell and burn forever.

First, I believe in a God who welcomes questions. I do not believe in a God who thinks men are superior to women. In order to not believe in a false god you must be able to ask questions. Second, I believe that Faith, means never having absolute evidence. Faith comes from the heart, it is something you know. Like you know that your spouse is the one for you, like when shopping for a house, you know the right one when you see it. Faith can not be explained, love can not be explained and God can not be explained.

Ehrman's book shows where parts of the bible are forgeries. My faith has always told me that Women and Men are equal and if you take out the forgeries, then that is what Paul actually says. Christians who believe that the bible is perfect and fear that if the bible was not perfect, they would not have faith, need to question there faith now. There will never be 100% proof that God exists and never 100% proof that the bible is perfect, if there was we would not have Faith.

This my second Ehrman book and they both were Five Stars. The narrator is excellent.

A very thorough presentation of the thesis

I felt the author did a very good job presenting his facts, data, and conclusions to support his premise that many of the books of the Bible are written by people who in one way or another are not who you think they are. I am not a Bible scholar, but found his review to be rigorous and convincing. The book could have been a little tighter and it took a while to get into the meat of the material, but all in all, this book delivered what it promised in the title.

Bart Ehrman never disappoints

Excellent book! Like his other books, this one is just as informative and enlightening --it's kind of like brain food! Definitely a must-have to your audiobook library.

Facts Not Fiction

Where does Forged rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was one of the most informative factually.

What did you like best about this story?

The large number of distortions in the New Testament, about which they never told you in Sunday School.

Which scene was your favorite?

All were interesting and I especially liked the new picture of Paul, not as a male chauvinist, but as a real man who valued women as essentially equal to men.

Any additional comments?

I have long questioned much of what was written in the New Testament. I believe Jesus was one of the greatest people who ever lived; however, I have felt his life was misrepresented by many of the writings of the New Testament. This book confirms much of what I, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and other founding fathers believed of the New Testament.

Any document written over one hundred years after events must be filled with what the writers thought, not what actually occurred,