Bart Ehrman Interpreted

by Robert M. Price

Arguably no scholar in the 21st century has had more of an impact on public discussion and debate over the historical Jesus and the development of early Christianity than distinguished professor of religious studies, Bart D. Ehrman. He has introduced many new readers to crucial questions of biblical criticism in a series of bestselling books. In Bart Ehrman Interpreted, theologian and writer Robert M. Price evaluates Ehrman’s body of work. Taking a collegial approach and rejecting polemics, Price defends Ehrman’s writing against conservative attacks but also suggests a number of points at which Ehrman may be insufficiently or inconsistently critical. No matter one's views toward Ehrman, Bart Ehrman Interpreted will prompt much fruitful and positive discussion of his important work and of the popular and scholarly debates that surround it.

Genres: Religion

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

Robert McNair Price is an American theologian and writer. He teaches philosophy and religion at the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary, is professor of biblical criticism at the Center for Inquiry Institute, and the author of a number of books on theology and the historicity of Jesus, asserting the Christ myth theory.

A former Baptist minister, he was the editor of the Journal of Higher Criticism from 1994 until it ceased publication in 2003. He has also written extensively about the Cthulhu Mythos, a "shared universe" created by H.P. Lovecraft.

Reviews

[Alan Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bart Ehrman and Robert Price are both biblical scholars. They agree on some things and disagree on some things, as biblical scholars are apt to do. Ehrman is an "agnostic atheist" who believes that Jesus was a real person. Robert Price is an atheist who believes that Jesus was simply a myth. Both scholars find differences between the Gospels and other biblical writings. To this type of scholar, differences are seen as contradictions. For instance, Price complains about John chapter 4 where the Samaritan woman says that Jesus told her about "all I ever did." These intellectuals try to reconstruct the historical setting and read the mind of the biblical writer.

For Price, there are many parallels between the Bible and ancient myths. These parallels were inspired by nature, such as the changing seasons. The process of understanding is similar to the way historical Jesus scholars compare the Gospels to try and figure out what the real Jesus actually said. Although Ehrman is a historical Jesus advocate, he seems not to recognize parallels as important in other instances. For him, everything is sealed off from everything else. Price also criticizes other scholars like J.Z. Smith.

"...if the various myths of Osiris, Attis, Adonis, et. al., do not all conform to type exactly, then they do not fit into the same box, so let’s throw out the box. Without everything in common, Smith sees nothing in common. "(p. 131).

He also says;

"I think the gospel stories are most naturally explained as transformations of Old Testament materials, and this applies all the more to the numerous marks of orality in the gospel pericopes, as these were demonstrably present in the Old Testament passages on which they were based and have simply been inherited." (p. 202).

Price says the Christian writers cared little for the original sense intended by the Hebrew authors and seemed to be looking for a hidden code. (p. 204)

It seems to me that Price does plenty of his own special pleading when interpreting the scriptures. However, he summarizes his feelings about the early Christians with this remark.

"And it would be equally special pleading to deny that the Christian “ministers of the word” could not have been just as deep into charlatanry as the sneaky pagans." (p. 247)

[Scott Holstad · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author embarrasses himself by constantly sucking up to Bart in the obvious hope the Bart will accept him as a peer and hence take this work and author seriously. Which would never happen if he knew anything about the Hart's hypocritical narcissistic requirements for "acceptable" scholarly credentials (terminal degree to begin with) which this author and nearly every human on earth seem to lack. The tremendous irony is Bart doesn't meet his OWN criteria! I've been meaning to write about his academic background but haven't had the time but suffice it to say I am VERY familiar with the schools he studied at before his PhD and let's just say that one of his schools wasn't even accredited and would be accepted by NO scholar as a legit academic institution, especially from one making demands on everyone else for the stiffest of academic credentials. Honestly, I literally meet his requirements legitimately more than Bart! Anyway I've long lost any respect for the snob but have less for those toadying up to him. Utter scrap and not recommended.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as much a commentary on Ehrman's views (though that is big part of it), as an excuse for Bob to discuss and critique the ideas of many modern approaches to interpreting/describing the early years of christianity. I actually like B.E. Interpreted a lot, but it may be confusing or even obtuse for someone without at least an introductory background in biblical commentary/criticism. If you have that background, this is a good read, otherwise this is not
for you.