Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman The Bible Before the New Testament: A Conversation with Joel Baden
Aug 26, 2025
Join Dr. Joel Baden, a Yale Divinity School professor and expert in the Hebrew Bible, as he sheds light on this often-overlooked text that was central to Jesus' teachings. He explores the difference between the 'Hebrew Bible' and the 'Old Testament' across various religious perspectives. Baden examines the literary artistry of ancient Hebrew writings and unpacks the intricate narratives of the Pentateuch, revealing inconsistencies and historical contexts. A must-listen for anyone curious about the roots of biblical literature!
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Why Scholars Say "Hebrew Bible"
- "Hebrew Bible" is an academic, neutral term for texts Christians call the Old Testament and Jews call their Bible.
- Joel Baden stresses the term avoids implying a 'part two' and frames the collection nonconfessionally.
Bible Texts Are Literary Creations
- Baden treats biblical writings as literature produced by authors, not as texts originally composed to be "Bible."
- He emphasizes genre variety and literary craft across law, poetry, narrative, and prophecy.
Audience Was Mostly The Literate Elite
- Most written biblical texts were used by a small literate elite in ancient Israel rather than the general population.
- Some works (Psalms, prophetic texts) likely had public or liturgical uses, while others served group-specific purposes.
