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

Well-Studied Review of the Bible

I shared Dr. Ehrman's bewilderment at the fact that these simple bits of research and analysis is not taught in church. Not much in the way of spin - just compelling and interesting facts.

Wow

As good if not better than his other books. Christian or not, this book is a must read.

I am a recovering Mormon and Bart's writings have helped me get a more solid grasp on Christianity and my literal beliefs.

Perhaps the most important book on the bible ever written.

Bart Ehrman exposes the historical facts of the bible that unfortunately you will never hear in church for fear that you may loose your faith. This book is for those who have the courage to seek and hear the truth.

Fantastic

For the believer and non believer alike. Beautifully written, compellingly argued.

Evangelicals in particular need to give this a serious listen

Take a college course in New Testament in a book

I teach "Introduction to the New Testament" in a Public University in North Carolina. This is without a doubt the best introduction to the New Testament that is currently available. The book is accessible but always scholarly. I assume Ehrman has taken his notes from his New Testament class and expanded them into a book, because this is precisely the material one would get in a New Testament class at a University. Evangelicals will find the material challenging, but Ehrman (a former evangelical himself) works hard to show the evidence and answer the objections he knows are coming. I cannot say enough good about this book. Buy it, listen to it, and your understanding of the New Testament will be enhance and possible transformed.

Excellent book

As a Christian believer (albeit open minded) I found this book fascinating. It certainly has caused me to look differently and more deeply and the new testament gospels that we all tend to accept blindly. It has actually deepened (not threatened) my faith. Thank you Prof. Ehrman, I only wish I had taken your classes while at UNC.

An Objective Examination of the New Testament

Since Christianity is based entirely on the Bible, and the Bible is supposedly the word of God as preached by Christians everywhere, it's about time people take an objective look at the what the Bible actually says. Bart Ehrman, a Bible scholar and seminarian and former self-described believer shows how authors of different books in the New Testament differ on such fundamental issues as the birth and death of Christ that should lead anyone with an open mind to wonder how any such irreconcilable differences could be divinely inspired. The author points out he is not trying to persuade or dissuade anyone regarding Christianity and he does not advocate any view. He merely points out numerous differences between biblical depictions of events and intentions within a historical framework including the authentication of gospel authorship and the politics of the church and followers at the time. This edition is well narrated by Jason Culp who provides just the right emphasis without risk of partiality to one view or another. The only criticism I have with this work is the author's repeating the same examples over and over throughout the book. The book could have been 20% shorter without all the repeated information.

Great book.

Loved it. Opened dangerous doors but very informative. Be not afraid it is an enlightening read.

You should listen to or read this book.

This book is an important read for anyone who takes the Bible seriously and for those who are curious about why one would take it seriously. Bart Erhman is a gifted historian and author. I highly recommend this book and any other by him.

Excellent informative book

Having studied religion, I was not unaware of problems in the NT, but this book sensitively, honestly lays bare the extent of the difficulties. I only wish it were required reading for all Christians.