Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman What does it mean to be born again?
Feb 18, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Bart Ehrman, a six-time New York Times bestselling author and Bible scholar, delves into the meaning of being 'born again.' He shares his journey as a former born-again Christian and contrasts the born-again experience with other Christian denominations. Ehrman explores historical nuances, personal transformation, and how the phrase has evolved within evangelical thought. He also reflects on Jesus's views about the term, offering insights into its implications for salvation and faith.
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Bart Ehrman's Born-Again Experience
- Bart Ehrman shares his personal experience with being born again as a teenager in the Episcopal Church.
- He joined a Campus Life youth group where a charismatic leader emphasized being born again as the only path to heaven.
Asking Jesus into Your Heart
- Asking Jesus into one's heart, often associated with Revelation 3, is a way some evangelicals express a desire for salvation.
- The original context of Revelation 3 deals with a struggling church needing to bring Jesus back into its midst.
Born Again vs. Baptized
- Being born again, a personal commitment to Christ, differs from baptism, which can have varied interpretations.
- Evangelicals view baptism as an outward sign of an inward change, while other denominations see it as joining a community or cleansing original sin.