Jesus Interrupted: A Challenge to Christian Faith?

This book that written by Bart D. Ehrman, Jesus, Interrupted contains critical thinking –not to mention an attack– to the Bible especially the New Testament, and more especially the Gospel that tells a story about Jesus and who Jesus actually is.

“We don’t have the originals of the Bible which opens the door to the possibility that the Bible is a very human book,” Ehrman wrote.

Ehrman studied the Bible from a historical-critical perspective that led him to find there were flat-out discrepancies among the books of the New Testament. He explained in detail about the differences between one author and other authors towards Jesus’ stories, for example what was written by Mark compared to what was written by Matthew or Luke.

“I came to see that many of the books of the New Testament were not written by the people to whom they are attributed,” Ehrman said. And he explained an argument that it was not Matthew who wrote The Gospel of Matthew, John did not write The Gospel of John, etc. Even the letter of 2nd Peter was not written by Peter, the letter of 1st Timothy was not written by Paul, etc. to mention some of Ehrman investigation and analysis.

Another criticism by Ehrman is about Jesus who for Christians He is the Messiah, Son of God even God Himself who incarnated to the Son of Man, crucified on the cross and died for the sinners.

“I came to see Christianity as a very human religion. It did not descend from on high. It was created, down here on earth, among the followers of Jesus in the decades and centuries after his death,” Ehrman said. “But I continued to believe that Jesus himself certainly existed. However the religion built up around God and Jesus was based on various myths, not historical facts. Jesus’ death was not a myth, but the idea that it was a death that brought about salvation was a myth. For me, the death of Jesus was an act of self-giving love,” he continued.

After Ehrman became an agnostic (previously he was a devoted Christian), he remained studying the Bible because –according to him– the Bible is the most important book in history. It is the most widely purchased, the most thoroughly studied, the most highly revered, and the most completely misunderstood book ever. “Why wouldn’t I want to study it? It is a book that deserves to be read and studied,” said Ehrman who teaches religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ehrman's argument needs to be countered by argument, which it’s important to educate whoever to respect any critical thinking, not to judge it as blasphemy.

***

Serpong, 17 Oct 2025

Titus J.

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