Customer Reviews:
 Chance, ideology and 'the word of God' November 3, 2008
This is essentially an account of one Bible scholar's growing disenchantment with the concept of `inspiration' as applied to the New Testament (NT). And though scholarly, it's extremely readable. Ehrman is especially good at taking the reader through the development of the manuscript-copying traditions of the church across the centuries, describing vividly how error can be shown to have propagated through `families' of manuscripts both accidentally and deliberately. He examines carefully the evidence for variant readings of some favourite passages, concluding that they have the potential to unpick aspects of NT theology at critical points more thoroughly than some might perhaps find comfortable. Though not always completely rigorous in his arguments, this is in the end a stimulating and thought-provoking account of how ideology and chance interact in the transmission of sacred literature through history.
Whose word? We don't exactly know ... May 31, 2007
Accomplished Bibilical scholar that he is, Ehrman has written a useful and informative introduction to the current state of research on the origins of the books of the New Testament. While papyri continue to be discovered, and techniques of physical and literary analysis continue to improve, there is more to be learnt. His ending - even in reading the text we draw our own conclusions, so it's to be expected that those who transcribe it do the same - is surprisingly post-modern.
One could have wished for a clearer overview of where current research leaves the core beliefs, such as Jesus' claim to divinity, and the nature of the Trinity, and how it sheds light on issues such as the role of women in the Church. We can hope that his many years of study will bear fruit in a new version of the New Testament which takes account of his and his colleagues' findings. Meanwhile, read this before you're tempted to take a doctrinaire position.
Whose word? We don't exactly know ... May 31, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Accomplished Bibilical scholar that he is, Ehrman has written a useful and informative introduction to the current state of research on the origins of the books of the New Testament. While papyri continue to be discovered, and techniques of physical and literary analysis continue to improve, there is more to be learnt. His ending - even in reading the text we draw our own conclusions, so it's to be expected that those who transcribe it do the same - is surprisingly post-modern.
One could have wished for a clearer overview of where current research leaves the core beliefs, such as Jesus' claim to divinity, and the nature of the Trinity, and how it sheds light on issues such as the role of women in the Church. We can hope that his many years of study will bear fruit in a new version of the New Testament which takes account of his and his colleagues' findings. Meanwhile, read this before you're tempted to take a doctrinaire position.
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