Re: [asa] Misquoting Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman

I have read it, and found it both readible and informative (and
apparently aimed at a lay readership). The title is quite misleading,
probably chosen by someone for commercial reasons, as the book is
intended to be an introductory overview of textual criticism. It
describes extensively the processes and tensions involved in sorting out
which rendering of scripture from which available manuscript source(s)
yields the most supportable Biblical text.

The author does illustrate a number of passages in which the most
supportable (in his view) passage differs from that contained in most
popular versions of the Bible. But for me (as one previously basically
ignorant of the methodologies and subjects of textual criticism), its
value was primarily in its descriptions of the textual criticism
processes and the presumptions and information that guide them. It was
also illuminating with respect to the large numbers and qualities of
sources (many of which vary significantly from one another) from which
the canon(s) are drawn. I leave it to the scholars to sort out the
specific criticisms of Ehrman's conclusions with respect to the "best"
renderings.

JimA

John Hewlett wrote:

>Have any of your read this book? Can I get some thoughts on its content. The book seems to have caused a flury of controversy. Another book called "Misquotes in Misquoting Jesus" was spawned off of it. However the rebuttle book didn't look really adequate to me. Anyone have any rebuttles to this book? Any comments on what it means about traditional christianity?
>Apparently challenges several key claims of christianity... I haven't read it my self, and don't think I will have time - so I was looking for opinions from this well educated group of scholarly christians.
>
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Received on Sun Apr 8 02:41:14 2007