Wilson, Colbert, and Ehrman

Bart Ehrman (New Testament scholar from UNC) recently published a book that is getting a lot of attention, "Jesus Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them)." If you are not familiar with Ehrman's work, this clip from The Colbert Report is an entertaining introduction.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bart Ehrman
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

For anyone who is interested, I'm linking a paper I recently wrote in which I argue that the Gospel of Mark - the gospel generally held to be the oldest (and I say "generally" because who knows? a lot of people think a lot of things) and used by many who share Ehrman's skeptical point of view to argue for an earlier "low" Christology (that if you go back far enough the earliest followers of Christ never believed Jesus was truly God) - instead presents a very "high" Christology (that Jesus was God) throughout in the way the author structures and presents the narrative. It's somewhat long for a blog post (18 pages), and not necessarily for everyone. But, if you are interested in how I might respond to Ehrman, given the chance, this would be it.

You'll see that, on the issue of the title "Son of God" I actually agree with Ehrman. Though only so far, because I also agree with Colbert's response. Though Ehrman is a little right, Colbert it more right. :) Ehrman uses that little bit of info as a straw in a massive straw man argument that lifts the title, that can indeed refer to a mere human, out of its narrative context. Anywho ... if you're interested, here it is:


I would love any feedback. I'm sure part of Ehrman's work would include arguing for the surgical removal of some or all of the very stories I use from Mark's gospel. But, to put it crudely for the sake of space, for many reasons I reject this type of approach. I think in this type of surgery the patient always dies on the table. However, if you're undecided and want some more to read, Ben Witherington's response here and part two here deals with texts that are even earlier than the gospels.