Jesus, Interrupted

Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible

By: Bart D. Ehrman

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Picking up where Bible expert Bart Ehrman's New York Times best seller, Misquoting Jesus, left off, Jesus, Interrupted addresses the larger issue of what the New Testament actually teaches...and it's not what most people think. Here Ehrman reveals what scholars have unearthed:

The authors of the New Testament have diverging views about who Jesus was and how salvation works.

The New Testament contains books that were forged in the names of the apostles by Christian writers who lived decades later.

Jesus, Paul, Matthew, and John all represented fundamentally different religions.

Established Christian doctrines, such as the suffering messiah, the divinity of Jesus, and the trinity were the inventions of still later theologians.

These are not idiosyncratic perspectives of just one modern scholar. As Ehrman skillfully demonstrates, they have been the standard and widespread views of critical scholars across a full spectrum of denominations and traditions. Why is it most people have never heard such things?

This is the book that pastors, educators, and anyone interested in the Bible have been waiting for, a clear and compelling account of the central challenges we face when attempting to reconstruct the life and message of Jesus.

©2009 Bart D. Ehrman (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Widely accepted

I would highly recommend to those interested in both biblical history, and history of the bible. If you enjoyed Misquoting Jesus and Beyond Belief this will serve you well. It is not as in depth as I had hoped but he states that is not the intent. I would love to see other religious topics reviewed with the same historical view. I cannot but think that he was stung by criticism related to Misquoting Jesus as he repetitively (and to my ear a little annoyingly) explains that what is being presented is common, widely accepted, knowledge among scholars.

The Jason Culp narration is excellent except that his voice and tone lends an officious air when the wide acceptance among scholars contention returns.

I wouldn't read if you have weak faith

I started with Misquoting Jesus, by the same author. As a newly freed Agnostic, I was eager to know what lies I had been taught my whole life. This book was a great follow-up. There was some overlap, but that is needed so each book can stand alone. I actually found myself getting angry and some of the information. I was raised to believe that God inspired the Bible... not the case at all. If you are questioning, I highly recommend ANY book by this author!

Wow!

Great narration and very eye opening. Really liked the way the author didn't belittle Christianity in his closing but supported it, even though for him, it has lost its savor. This book is well worth reading. It brought the bible to life, made it very understandable and took out all the mystical elements and put them a perspective that is more real than trying to believe them as actually happening.

Thought provoking considerations of the Bible.

I was aware of some inconsistencies in the Bible through casual reading, Listening to Bart's book gave a very detailed understanding through a historical as well as a faith-processing approach.

very informative

Every christian should read this book. I now understand the bible with more clarity. The author appears to speak with authority.

Very informative !

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I have ever read, however Mr Ehrman, I must disagree with you on one point at least. I read gospel of Barnabas, I failed to remember anything anti-Jewish, if anything, it is more anti-Christian. For example, he condemned Christian of practicing certain rituals that's totally against Jesus teaching such as eating pork, not circumcizing and drinking wine. He also accused Paul of promoting such ill practices. In addition, he proclaims Mohammad as messiah not Jesus. He specifically has pointed in his Gospel that Mohammad was to be the messenger after Jesus as Jesus himself told his deciples in John that God will send them another comforter who will stay with them forever. Barnabas has named Mohammed as the comforter which leads me to believe that scriber has later intentionally changed the word to "comforter" as they have changed words in other places in the scripture.

Informative and thought provoking

What did you love best about Jesus, Interrupted?

I liked that the author presented his information in a strongly unbiased way. He is clear about when things he is stating are his own opinion vs. the widely held scholarly opinion. Although the author considers himself an agnostic he approaches the subject in manner that is not condescending towards believers.

What about Jason Culp’s performance did you like?

The performer was very clear and understandable with an accent that sounded very ordinary to me (an American speaker). My only complaint was that he talks a bit slow, but I was able to speed the playback up on the Android app so this was no problem.

Any additional comments?

If you have never studied the Bible using the

Scholarly and engaging

Love this book and Ehrman's approach, which is not necessarily faith challenging or faith encouraging. He's an admirable scholar who sticks to the historical facts in a compelling way without trying to convince anyone to leave their Christian faith behind. I found his closing remarks to be very touching in this respect.

This book helped me alot

I'm a fan of Bart Ehrman's books and lectures. But I want to add here that this book helped me not just in understanding the origins of Christianity and how to study religion with a scientific eye, but it helped me to know how I should study Islam and Mohammed with a skeptical 🤨 scientific view. Enjoy listening

Simply a must read!

This book is well put together, well thought out and it easy to listen to. I was very impressed by the author and have read more of his books.