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

Great Book

This is the best book you wrote, I really learned a lot. The book was organized perfectly by content. I have read about four books you wrote, I finished this in two days.

Probably the best overall book by Dr. Ehrman

I've listened to several of Dr. Ehrman's books before, and while this had some new information, there was a lot of overlap with other books, which reduced my personal experience of the book. This book ties some of those other materials together, and if I were to recommend only one of his books, this would be it, based on my experience. I appreciate his good, well-researched, balanced approach to the subject matter, which makes it good material for a Christian, which I used to be, or an agnostic like I am now.

Jesus Interrupted

As enjoyable as all Ehrman books. This audio book Enron had a reader (a Jason Culp) that sounded like Ehrman). I always learn so much and always gives you much to think about.

A Seminary in a Book

An incredible book that will let you see what is taught in mainline Seminaries and Divinity schools throughout the western world... much of it you'll probably never learn about in church, even though your pastor knows many of these facts... It's like a seminary in a book and will add a whole new dimension to your reading of the most significant book in the western world. It teaches a critical historic review of the New Testament rather then what most people know which is just a devotional read of the Bible. I first listened to on audible and like it so well bought a couple copies here for me and other more progressive friends.

Accessible & Honest Overview of The New Testament

Listening to this book made me wish that I had the opportunity to sit in Bart's lecture hall as a student listening to him first hand. I highly recommend this title to anyone with any interest in historical and critical approach to biblical scholarship.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

What an interesting and thoughtful book! The narration was spot on and very easy to listen to. I totally appreciate the way he presented the material and look forward to another of his books

Terrific overview of New Testament scholarship

I have heard the author speak and have seen references to his work in other books, so decided to download this book; I am glad that I did.

The author is very even-handed and, in my opinion, fair in the way he presents the research about why scholars believe certain books were written before or after others, why certain passages were probably added on much later, and the like.

Ehrman is right that this is important information and nothing one receives even in an adult education class at a church despite being commonly and widely taught to seminary students. I’m glad that I downloaded and listened to it.

The one thing that made me wonder if I should download it was the content of some of the reviews here. One person said the book was only six hours long rather than 12. Another said the examples were highly repetitive. These criticisms are completely wrong. The book is 12 hours long and is well structured and written to offer the listener a progressive exposure to more arguments and information.

In short, this is a great book. I highly recommend it.

This Should be Required Reading for all Christians

Would you listen to Jesus, Interrupted again? Why?

Yes, there was presented a great deal of information that is hard to digest in one listen notwithstanding that the author and narrator both do an excellent job of presenting the material.

What did you like best about this story?

Bart Ehrman has had an interesting religious path starting with being a very evangelical person to eventually becoming an atheist. He is also a university professor whose religious classes are over booked every semester. However, he leaves it to the reader to discern the information he provides which I highly admire about him as opposed to some who try to convert you to their way of thinking. This is probably why he is apparently a great professor in that he makes us think and have to defend our views. Frankly, if we can't do that then perhaps our religious beliefs are not as strong as we think. Actually, I believe that if most Christians would listen to this book they would become even more dedicated to Christ. For me, it is only through questioning and being the doubting Thomas that provides the framework of belief that I have in God. I can learn just as much from Bart Ehrman that I can through say a Joyce Meyer or a Joel Osteen as I do not believe anyone has all the answers. God gave us both brains and faith and there is no reason why the two are not compatible with how you choose to answer the age old questions of what is your purpose in life and why and how are you here in the first place .................

What does Jason Culp bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Like most audio books, the narrator brings the written word to life which is particularly true for a book such as this.

Any additional comments?

I have read a variety of different books relating to the New Testament especially the historical version of how it was written. We must understand that different people wrote the New Testament over a wide span of time after the actual events allegedly occurred with the first Gospel being written some 60-70 years later. When you accept that through scrivener error, people interpreting events to support their own belief system, and not having all of the previous writings included in the New Testament, you do get the sense that while the New Testament is a wonderful and spiritual book it must be read in a non-literal context. I believe Ehrman does the best job of all the previous writers in identifying and sorting out the many inconsistencies contained within the New Testament but still leaves you the option of believing the writings through a combination of faith and understanding. I was not the least bit offended by his comments and felt most were very instructive. I also feel that if many Christians understood more of how the New Testament was written that their faith would be even greater in realizing how important Jesus and his teachings are to the rest of us. For those Christians who choose otherwise, I would suggest that perhaps their faith is not strong enough to overcome the doubt of historical evidence.

Valuable content but ...

What did you love best about Jesus, Interrupted?

Heard arguments regarding cannon that I was seeking. Identified reasoning components which I appreciated. Shared listening with son and we discussed so that was a plus.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Content most interesting, a bit wordy least interesting.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jason Culp?

Yes, narration was good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Author doesn't equally apply his arguments to his own side. A little to jaded to come across neutral for the research. Other than that good content.

What We SHOULD Have Learned....

Two things to know about this audiobook. As an unabridged version, it's too long by half. The second is that the voice of the reader is a little aggravating to my ear. But: If you've never had a History of the Bible class in a mainstream university (as opposed to a Bible College for the fundamentalist point of view) this book is for you. I enjoyed hearing an historical- critical review of the Bible. I will download Ehrmann's other book: Misquoting Jesus.