Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Sin, Death, and Salvation: Paul's Mysterious View
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Jan 13, 2026 
Bart Ehrman, a six-time New York Times bestselling biblical scholar, delves into the complex views of sin and salvation as articulated by the apostle Paul. He discusses how ancient Jewish concepts of sin contrast with Pauline theology, emphasizing sin's dual nature as both transgression and a cosmic power. Ehrman explains how Paul's teachings shape the understanding of repentance and divine forgiveness, the significance of baptism, and how Jesus' resurrection overcomes sin's grip on humanity. He also reflects on the evolution of these ideas into later doctrines.
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Sin As Missing The Mark
- The Hebrew and Greek verbs for sin mean "to miss the mark."
- Sin originally denotes falling short of God's standards, not only moral guilt.
Sin Extends Beyond Legal Violations
- In the Hebrew Bible, sin includes both explicit law-breaking and broader failure to meet God's expectations.
- Prophetic critiques (e.g., oppression of the poor) count as sin even without a specific legal command.
Repentance Over Sacrifice
- Jesus and John the Baptist taught repentance leads to God's forgiveness without temple sacrifices.
- Forgiveness comes from genuine remorse and change, not ritual payment, in their teachings.
