Ross Douthat interviewed skeptic Bart Ehrman, a “Christian Atheist.”
I listened to the whole interview without realizing Ehrman is someone I’ve listened to for many years, and I’m glad I didn’t realize it was the same person because that allowed me to listen with fresh ears. I do not shrink back from challenging my beliefs, and I appreciate someone like Ehrman who can get me to think critically about what I believe.
Bart Ehrman is educated, intelligent, and thoughtful, and he has examined the evidence quite extensively for many years. If anyone can challenge my belief that the Bible is the word of God, he can. But he didn’t change what I believe to be true, that the Bible is the most historically accurate and verifiable ancient manuscript, so much more so than any other text that its very existence is a miracle that cannot be ignored. It’s a source that can be trusted as historically accurate.
One point that Douthat questions Ehrman about is Ehrman’s claim that the consistency of the names, places, and events that can be confirmed does not give validity to the other details in the text that cannot be confirmed. You can choose to side with Ehrman, and that isn’t unreasonable from the point of someone who is looking to be skeptical (as all historians need to be), but practically speaking, there are so many details confirmed true that if the standard is applied to how everyday people make everyday decisions, we’d all choose to believe the Bible is accurate. I encourage you to listen to the interview and consider Ehrman’s arguments for yourself.
This interview includes Ehrman’s reasons for walking away from his Christian faith, and I hadn’t heard the story before. As Douthat points out, there was a progression in his move away from faith, and doubting the resurrection of Jesus was pivotal. But it seems the most significant point in Ehrman’s departure from faith is that the suffering prevalent in this world proves there cannot be a benevolent God. I admit, suffering is troubling, but the answer is in the resurrection and the promise of a life after death. Do your own research and notice how many religions connect happiness to a life after death in some way; Christianity is no different. Personally, the hope that gets me through my struggles is that no matter how bad life gets, my soul is secure in the promise of a perfect heaven after I shuffle off this mortal coil. Without a final judgment forcing everyone to face consequences for their choices and rewarding those who choose well, life would be discouraging. For me, at least.
I encourage you to challenge what you believe. I allowed this interview and its new thoughts to press against my understanding, tried to approach Ehrman’s ideas with an open mind rather than a defensive one, and admitted the areas where my beliefs and arguments are weak. My beliefs haven’t changed, but I am equipped to have this debate without making enemies. That matters.