Sam Harris interviews Bart Ehrman, a former born-again Christian and New Testament scholar. They discuss Ehrman's journey from faith to skepticism, the historical evidence of Jesus' resurrection, self-contradictions in the Bible, the origins of the concept of the rapture, and irreconcilable contradictions in the accounts of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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Quick takeaways
The core belief of Christianity centers around the resurrection of Jesus and the empty tomb, which many Christians consider as compelling evidence for the historical reliability of their faith.
The concept of heaven and hell in Christianity has evolved throughout history, with the Old Testament lacking a clear understanding of hell and the New Testament focusing on a final judgment and resurrection of bodies on earth.
Deep dives
Bart Erman's Background and Journey
Bart Erman, a former believer and now an agnostic, discusses his development as a thinker on the topic of Christianity. Despite not being a Christian himself, Erman became a scholar of the New Testament, studying the original Greek text. He was raised in a religious environment and experienced a born-again moment in high school, committing his life to Christ. However, as he delved deeper into his studies and examined the Bible more critically, he began to question the doctrine of Christianity. Erman's journey involved realizing that the Bible was not inerrant and encountering contradictions and errors within its texts.
The Importance of the Resurrection
The central miracle and core belief of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Erman explains that many Christians consider the resurrection as the compelling evidence for the historical reliability and truth of the Christian claims. According to Erman, this belief hinges on two main historical facts: the empty tomb and the accounts of Jesus appearing to his followers after his death. Christians argue that these two facts need to be satisfactorily explained, suggesting that the resurrection is the only plausible explanation. However, Erman highlights that critical scholars dispute these supernatural claims and attribute alternative naturalistic explanations to the historical events.
The Concept of Heaven and Hell
Erman explores the beliefs around heaven and hell in Christianity. He notes that the Old Testament lacks a clear concept of hell, with an understanding of a shadowy afterlife called Sheol. In the New Testament, specifically in the teachings of Jesus, the focus shifts to a final judgment and a resurrection of bodies on earth. Those who are righteous are rewarded with eternal life in a restored paradise on earth, while the wicked face annihilation. Erman also highlights debates among Christians regarding the nature of heaven and whether souls maintain their physical appearance and recognition of others in the afterlife.
Challenges to Biblical Consistency and Inerrancy
One of the major challenges to biblical consistency and inerrancy arises from contradictions and errors within the Bible itself. Erman offers examples such as conflicting accounts of events like the date of the crucifixion in the Gospels of Mark and John. He recounts his own realization at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he discovered that the Bible was fallible and that mistakes existed within its texts. This realization led to a reevaluation of his beliefs and a questioning of the doctrine of inerrancy, which formed the foundation of his early faith.
Sam Harris speaks to Bart Ehrman about his experience of being a born-again Christian, his academic training in New Testament scholarship, his loss of faith, the most convincing argument in defense of Christianity, the status of miracles, the composition of the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus, the nature of heaven and hell, the book of Revelation, the End Times, self-contradictions in the Bible, the concept of a messiah, whether Jesus actually existed, Christianity as a cult of human sacrifice, the conversion of Constantine, and other topics.
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