Is the New Testament Bible full of fiction? | Bart Ehrman

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Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- - Our annual conference, New Insights into the New Testament – Join over 2,000 Bible enthusiasts for a three-day virtual conference with presentations on the historical Jesus by 13 world-renowned Bible scholars.
- - If you’ve ever thought the Hebrew Bible was just one unified story – think again. This fall, join Dr. Joel Baden of Yale University for a brand-new, semester-long course. Across 28 in-depth lectures, you’ll uncover how this sprawling, beautiful, and often contradictory collection came together – one scroll, one editor, and one theological agenda at a time.
Use the code MJPODCAST for a special discount.
*Episode Description*
In Episode 147, Megan Lewis and renowned Bible scholar Dr. Bart Ehrman confront a topic often seen as controversial but crucial for understanding Christianity—the contradictions and differences found in the four canonical Gospels.
Kicking off with a lighthearted discussion about favorite movies (with Bart revealing his affection for French cinema and Megan’s love for Monty Python), the episode quickly transitions to weighty questions: If the Gospels disagree on the words and deeds of Jesus, how can we know what the historical Jesus really said and did? Do these contradictions undermine Christian faith, or do they open the door to a richer and more nuanced understanding of the New Testament?
Dr. Ehrman draws from his personal journey, reflecting on his initial struggle to accept Gospel contradictions after believing in their inerrancy. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between a difference (details that can be harmonized) and a contradiction (core facts that cannot be reconciled). For instance, while the number of women at the empty tomb may just be a difference, the location of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances or the day of his death are, according to Bart, outright contradictions.
The episode further explores how these divergent narratives entered the Gospels—sometimes through the oral transmission of stories in different Christian communities, and other times through conscientious theological editing by the Gospel authors themselves. Examples such as the conflicting genealogies of Jesus, the details of his crucifixion, and the scene of his baptism are discussed in detail.
Bart and Megan also challenge the notion that recognizing contradictions must lead to abandoning Christian faith. Instead, Bart argues that acknowledging these discrepancies can actually enrich one’s understanding of each Gospel and of early Christianity as a whole.
Listeners are encouraged not only to accept that the Bible contains contradictions, but to use this as an entry point for deeper exploration, critical thinking, and appreciation of the diversity and complexity within Christian origins.
*3 Key Takeaways*
1. Contradictions vs. Differences: Not every apparent variation is a contradiction—some are minor differences, but others are irreconcilable and force us to question traditional narratives or assumptions of biblical inerrancy.
2. Intentional Theological Shaping: Gospel authors often modified inherited stories to fit their own theological perspectives, demonstrating that theology often took precedence over strict historical reporting.
3. Opening Up, Not Closing Down, Meaning: Accepting contradictions doesn’t destroy faith or understanding; it can expand and deepen our knowledge of the New Testament, allowing us to appreciate each Gospel on its own terms.
*Key Points*
- The episode discusses both trivial and significant contradictions in the Gospels, citing specific examples.
- Bart Ehrman’s personal journey from evangelical faith to critical scholarship illustrates how confronting contradictions can be challenging but transformative.
- The differences between “contradiction” and “difference” are carefully defined, emphasizing that not all inconsistencies are equal.
- Specific contradictions discussed include the location of Jesus’ resurrection appearances (Jerusalem vs. Galilee) and the day Jesus was crucified (before or after Passover).
- The problem of conflicting genealogies in Matthew and Luke, both purporting to trace Joseph’s lineage, is shown to undermine facile harmonizations.
- The baptism of Jesus presents yet another case study, with differing divine proclamations in each Gospel and early Christian attempts at harmonization.
- The motives behind Gospel editing: sometimes stories were changed for theological emphasis or narrative clarity, rather than accident or error.
- Scholars use established historical criteria to sift plausible history from theological construction when reconstructing the life of Jesus.
- Ehrman insists that most historical Jesus scholars agree on certain essentials, even if many details are lost to history.
- Recognizing contradictions opens up the New Testament to richer interpretation, rather than necessitating loss of faith.