'How Jesus became God' debate Pt 1 - Bart Ehrman vs Simon Gathercole - Unbelievable?
Jun 23, 2014
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In a thought-provoking discussion, Bart Ehrman, a New Testament expert from UNC, challenges the traditional view of Jesus' divinity, arguing that the early Church transformed him into the Son of God. Simon Gathercole, a scholar from Cambridge and contributor to a response book, counters by exploring how the Gospels present Jesus' identity. The debate dives into the historical context of early Christianity, the evolution of beliefs around Jesus' resurrection, and differing interpretations of scripture, shedding light on the complexities of Christ's divine status.
Bart Ehrman argues that early followers of Jesus did not perceive him as divine during his lifetime, contrasting with Simon Gathercole's view of implicit early beliefs in Jesus' divinity.
The resurrection of Jesus is depicted as a transformative event that significantly influenced early Christians' understanding of Jesus' divine identity.
The podcast highlights the varying portrayals of Jesus in different Gospels, emphasizing the historical-critical approach to scripture and the development of theological perspectives over time.
Deep dives
The Question of Suffering and Divine Goodness
The podcast addresses the enduring question of why suffering exists if God is good, exploring various philosophical and theological perspectives. It suggests that suffering might be a result of free will and the inherent brokenness of the world, indicating that pain can lead individuals closer to God rather than serve as evidence against divine goodness. The discussion highlights biblical insights that attempt to reconcile the existence of suffering with a loving God. This complex relationship implies that understanding God’s nature requires a deeper exploration of suffering and its role in human experience.
Dialogue on Early Christian Beliefs
The conversation between Bart Ehrman and Simon Gathercole centers on early Christian beliefs regarding the nature of Jesus, questioning whether he was perceived as divine during his lifetime or if this belief developed later. Ehrman posits that initial followers may not have viewed Jesus as God in his lifetime, while Gathercole argues that early Christians had implicit beliefs in Jesus' divine nature. This dialogue examines how theological views may have evolved through historical context, scripture interpretations, and significant events such as Jesus' resurrection. The differing perspectives reflect broader discussions within Christianity about historical evidence and theological implications.
The Role of Resurrection in Christology
A significant point in the dialogue is the assertion that the resurrection of Jesus was pivotal in solidifying the belief that he was divine. Ehrman argues that after the crucifixion, early followers experienced transformative visions of the resurrected Jesus, prompting them to view him as divine. This insight suggests that their understanding of Jesus’ identity evolved directly from their experiences of the resurrection event rather than from his teachings during his ministry. The resurrection is positioned as a foundational moment in shaping early Christian Christology and belief in Jesus’ divine status.
Comparative Analysis of Gospels
The podcast carefully contrasts the portrayals of Jesus across different Gospel accounts, particularly the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) versus John's Gospel. Ehrman suggests that the synoptic Gospels do not explicitly position Jesus as God, while John does so more directly with claims of preexistence and divinity. This discussion emphasizes the historical-critical approach to scripture, acknowledging how theological meanings can develop over time through community reflection and interpretation. Both scholars highlight the complexities of establishing a consistent Christological view when examining variances in the Gospel narratives.
Historical Jesus vs. Theological Truth
A vital aspect discussed is the distinction between historical facts related to Jesus as a person and the theological truths about his divinity. Ehrman indicates a divergence between what the historical Jesus might have believed and what later theological claims suggest about him. This raises questions about how early Christians understood Jesus in relation to God before the formal doctrines were established. The discussion implies that one’s perspective on Jesus can significantly influence their interpretation of scripture and understanding of Christian doctrine, reflecting a broader tension between faith history and academic inquiry.
New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman's latest explosive book How Jesus Became God claims that the early Church turned Christ into the son of God, but Jesus himself never believed it and nor did his first followers.
Cambridge scholar Simon Gathercole has contributed to a response book How God Became Jesus (released at the same time) and, in the first of two shows, debates with Ehrman about whether the Gospels present a human or divine character.
