The Gatekeeper's Blog
August 16, 2017
Bart Ehrman's Early Response to the Release of "Silencing the Skeptics"
The brand new release Silencing the Skeptics: Gospel Contradictions Resolved; the Ultimate Open Challenge to Bart Ehrman is still in the infancy stages of making its rounds in the Biblical studies community; but it has already caused quite a stir on Bart Ehrman's own blog website.
As can be seen at the link provided below, Mr. Ehrman's initial reaction to the book's release was to see the work as an "attack" on his views. This, however, is far from true, and the book's true goals and intentions were subsequently made clear to him in the conversation stream under his blog entry. (All of this can be seen here:
https://ehrmanblog.org/a-new-attack-o...)
The subject of this book has also brought a heavy amount of reaction to Mr. Ehrman's Facebook page, as seen here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBartEh...
Mr. Ehrman's reactionary misconceptions about the book's intentions are certainly understandable, as "attacks" are something that he is quite accustomed to as a longtime battler on the front lines of Biblical criticism. But what is peculiar about his stance on this matter is his (as-of-yet) reluctance to read and respond to the Biblical exposition presented in Silencing the Skeptics; this, in light of the substantial donation to the "Bart Ehrman Foundation" (for charity) that is an element of this open challenge to him. (More can be seen here: http://thegospelmatrixisreal.com/faq-...)
The anonymity of authorship of the book, in tandem with its unabashed ambition to bring revolutionary change to the very foundation of Biblical study, seem to be primary hang-ups for Mr. Ehrman and his skeptical-minded supporters (as can be seen in the blog discussion). Of course, resistance is to be expected for a book entitled "Silencing the Skeptics" being discussed in an environment such as "The Bart Ehrman Blog," which of course is a haven for those predisposed to skepticism. However, it has been reiterated to both Mr. Ehrman and those of his mindset that this book does not use the (insufficient) practices of Christian Apologetics to convey its points; it does not resolve Gospel contradictions through conventional applications, as its goal is to transcend those very applications. As is stated in the Introduction of the book, on pages 4-5:
Ultimately, the goal of this undertaking is not to convert skeptics or “be right” for the mere sake of “winning the debate.” The goal is to begin a domino effect that will send much needed shockwaves throughout the entire religious spectrum, eventually culminating with the birthing of a new reality.
What transpires in the coming days remains to be seen, as this unique and unprecedented challenge to the world's preeminent Bible critic is sure to bring more continuing intrigue.
Silencing the Skeptics: Gospel Contradictions Resolved; the Ultimate Open Challenge to Bart Ehrman
As can be seen at the link provided below, Mr. Ehrman's initial reaction to the book's release was to see the work as an "attack" on his views. This, however, is far from true, and the book's true goals and intentions were subsequently made clear to him in the conversation stream under his blog entry. (All of this can be seen here:
https://ehrmanblog.org/a-new-attack-o...)
The subject of this book has also brought a heavy amount of reaction to Mr. Ehrman's Facebook page, as seen here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBartEh...
Mr. Ehrman's reactionary misconceptions about the book's intentions are certainly understandable, as "attacks" are something that he is quite accustomed to as a longtime battler on the front lines of Biblical criticism. But what is peculiar about his stance on this matter is his (as-of-yet) reluctance to read and respond to the Biblical exposition presented in Silencing the Skeptics; this, in light of the substantial donation to the "Bart Ehrman Foundation" (for charity) that is an element of this open challenge to him. (More can be seen here: http://thegospelmatrixisreal.com/faq-...)
The anonymity of authorship of the book, in tandem with its unabashed ambition to bring revolutionary change to the very foundation of Biblical study, seem to be primary hang-ups for Mr. Ehrman and his skeptical-minded supporters (as can be seen in the blog discussion). Of course, resistance is to be expected for a book entitled "Silencing the Skeptics" being discussed in an environment such as "The Bart Ehrman Blog," which of course is a haven for those predisposed to skepticism. However, it has been reiterated to both Mr. Ehrman and those of his mindset that this book does not use the (insufficient) practices of Christian Apologetics to convey its points; it does not resolve Gospel contradictions through conventional applications, as its goal is to transcend those very applications. As is stated in the Introduction of the book, on pages 4-5:
Ultimately, the goal of this undertaking is not to convert skeptics or “be right” for the mere sake of “winning the debate.” The goal is to begin a domino effect that will send much needed shockwaves throughout the entire religious spectrum, eventually culminating with the birthing of a new reality.
What transpires in the coming days remains to be seen, as this unique and unprecedented challenge to the world's preeminent Bible critic is sure to bring more continuing intrigue.
Silencing the Skeptics: Gospel Contradictions Resolved; the Ultimate Open Challenge to Bart Ehrman
July 23, 2015
Contradictions in the Gospels
Matthew 27 and Mark 15 tell us that both men crucified with Christ heaped insults upon Him, while Luke 23 tells us that one thief mocked Him and the other believed in Him.
This is a contradiction.
Matthew 5 tells us that Jesus went up the mountain to preach His beatitudes, while Luke 6 tells us that He came down and stood on a level place to do so.
This is also a contradiction.
Matthew 21 and Luke 19 tell us that Jesus drove the money changers from the temple immediately upon His triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, while Mark 11 specifies that He did not clear the temple at that time, but waited until the following day.
More contradictions.
Christians are highly uncomfortable with facing the reality of these and other Gospel discrepancies, and so choose to dismiss them by twisting any and all sound narrative logic in an effort to deny the existence of contradictions in the Gospels. In doing this, they are hoping to prove to the world that the Bible is the Word of God.
The problem is that such futile tactics have not changed the minds of skeptics, and have failed to bring the world to belief as Jesus prayed for in John 17. The ironic truth is that the Christian Church must first accept and confess the reality of contradictions in the Gospels before those within it can begin to truly resolve them before the world in an undeniable way.
Furthermore, these divinely inspired contradictions, when acknowledged, actually unveil a message that has been intended for the Church to see at this very time: The Body of Christ has failed to bring the world to belief in Christ because it has been blinded and sleeping in darkness for 2,000 years, and its widespread disassociation through theological and cultural disagreements has marred Christ's true image and made Him unrecognizable to the world.
If this is shocking or offensive to any Christian, then ponder: Does not the existence of over 20,000 disagreeing denominations within Christianity, all believing they are correct, serve as sufficient proof of the Church's collective blindness? Does not the extensive disunity throughout the Body of Christ make His true image unrecognizable to the world?
The fact is, Gospel contradictions have remained cosmically concealed for 2,000 years as to what they truly are intended to be: the keys to bringing about a "third day" awakening (resurrection) of the Church; the resurrection unto the unity that will restore Christ's image and bring the entire world to belief!
The Gospel Matrix: Unveiling the Bible's Hidden Condemnation of Christianity is a 400+ page guide that establishes these truths to all seekers having the hope of living to see Christ's coming and reigning in the Kingdom of God.
The introduction and first chapter can be read here:
http://escapethematrix.wix.com/thegos...
This is a contradiction.
Matthew 5 tells us that Jesus went up the mountain to preach His beatitudes, while Luke 6 tells us that He came down and stood on a level place to do so.
This is also a contradiction.
Matthew 21 and Luke 19 tell us that Jesus drove the money changers from the temple immediately upon His triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, while Mark 11 specifies that He did not clear the temple at that time, but waited until the following day.
More contradictions.
Christians are highly uncomfortable with facing the reality of these and other Gospel discrepancies, and so choose to dismiss them by twisting any and all sound narrative logic in an effort to deny the existence of contradictions in the Gospels. In doing this, they are hoping to prove to the world that the Bible is the Word of God.
The problem is that such futile tactics have not changed the minds of skeptics, and have failed to bring the world to belief as Jesus prayed for in John 17. The ironic truth is that the Christian Church must first accept and confess the reality of contradictions in the Gospels before those within it can begin to truly resolve them before the world in an undeniable way.
Furthermore, these divinely inspired contradictions, when acknowledged, actually unveil a message that has been intended for the Church to see at this very time: The Body of Christ has failed to bring the world to belief in Christ because it has been blinded and sleeping in darkness for 2,000 years, and its widespread disassociation through theological and cultural disagreements has marred Christ's true image and made Him unrecognizable to the world.
If this is shocking or offensive to any Christian, then ponder: Does not the existence of over 20,000 disagreeing denominations within Christianity, all believing they are correct, serve as sufficient proof of the Church's collective blindness? Does not the extensive disunity throughout the Body of Christ make His true image unrecognizable to the world?
The fact is, Gospel contradictions have remained cosmically concealed for 2,000 years as to what they truly are intended to be: the keys to bringing about a "third day" awakening (resurrection) of the Church; the resurrection unto the unity that will restore Christ's image and bring the entire world to belief!
The Gospel Matrix: Unveiling the Bible's Hidden Condemnation of Christianity is a 400+ page guide that establishes these truths to all seekers having the hope of living to see Christ's coming and reigning in the Kingdom of God.
The introduction and first chapter can be read here:
http://escapethematrix.wix.com/thegos...
