Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
Consensus Scholarship and the Life of Jesus
May 6, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Chris Frilingos, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, unpacks the surprising scholarly consensus on the historical authenticity of Jesus' early life. He delves into the nuances of gospel narratives, highlighting the cultural and theological significance behind differing accounts in Matthew and Luke. Frilingos also explores non-canonical texts like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, shedding light on their roles in shaping early Christian stories. Plus, a sneak peek into a new course on 'Demons and Ghosts in the Bible' adds a thrilling layer!
38:57
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Quick takeaways
- Consensus among biblical scholars highlights the distinction between theological constructs and historical accuracy in gospel narratives.
- Early Christian communities adapted birth stories to convey spiritual meanings, reflecting an ongoing engagement with Jewish prophecies and contemporary issues.
Deep dives
Understanding Scholarly Consensus
Scholarly consensus refers to a widely accepted view among experts based on publicly available evidence. This consensus is established through critical discussions and the continuous testing of hypotheses within the academic community. Unlike fields that rely on experimental reproducibility, humanities scholars often build consensus through interpretations of textual and historical data. This process evolves over time, as new discoveries often challenge existing views, leading to rigorous debates among scholars who are eager to evaluate fresh evidence.
