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 · 275 ratings  · 27 reviews

First your review of The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament

It seems similar a lot of folks either didn't know what they were getting into with this volume or completely misunderstood the master message. Get-go of all, unlike a lot of Ehrman'south output, this is not intended for mass-market appeal rather it is more suited for serious study of the New Attestation. Second, the statement is not that every change in the early on scriptures was done for purely intentional reasons and he acknowledges that most changes were accidental and non particularly substantive, in human It seems like a lot of folks either didn't know what they were getting into with this book or completely misunderstood the primary message. Kickoff of all, unlike a lot of Ehrman'due south output, this is not intended for mass-market entreatment rather it is more suited for serious study of the New Testament. Second, the argument is not that every alter in the early on scriptures was done for purely intentional reasons and he acknowledges that about changes were accidental and non particularly substantive, in many cases the result of fatigue-driven parablepsis occasioned by homoeoarcton or homoeoteleuton on the part of the scribes. However for this work he has decided to focus on those changes that accept prove of intent behind them.

Withal, what is most important virtually this text is the transformative effect is has on the agreement of the piece of work of the scribes in the get-go couple centuries of early Christianity. Far from being human xerox machines, scribes were authors and readers with scriptural views of their own that on occasion, prompted textual changes due to a proto-orthodoxy agenda.

Ehrman frames these changes in response to several competing "heresies" of the time, those being the views of the Ebionites and Theodotions (adoptionists); Marcionites, Docetists, and Gnostics (separationists), and Patripassianists (modalists). All of these groups had unique views equally to what it meant to be a Christian and what the truth of Jesus' existence, physical/divine being, and message ultimately was. Every bit such, the debates of these early centuries in christology and the success of the proto-orthodox view at the councils of Nicea and Chalcedon had a profound affect as to how texts were copied, transmitted, and ultimately selected for inclusion.

In very academic language, Ehrman makes a very good instance for several specific examples from the Gospels and writings of Paul. Also in this new edition, not only has he corrected several errors in the first printing simply has added an illuminating afterword that reflects on but how much the discipline has changed since this was originally published in 1993. All the same a pivotal and somewhat prescient work in the field, for the serious student of the New Testament this is worth the time.

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Jun 17, 2012 Candace rated it liked it

Ehrman's thesis in this book is that many of the textual variants that are found in the manuscripts of the New Testament are the result of intentional changes to the text on the role of the scribes who copied the texts. He contends that the scribes made these changes to the text as a upshot of, and in response to, the diverse Christological disputes of the second and third centuries and he analyzes several variant readings with this contention in heed.

While I agree with Ehrman that the scribes

Ehrman'south thesis in this volume is that many of the textual variants that are found in the manuscripts of the New Testament are the upshot of intentional changes to the text on the part of the scribes who copied the texts. He contends that the scribes made these changes to the text as a result of, and in response to, the various Christological disputes of the 2nd and third centuries and he analyzes several variant readings with this contention in listen.

While I concord with Ehrman that the scribes who copied the texts sometimes did make intentional changes to the texts, I don't believe that this is the sole explanation for all of the variant readings discussed in his book. Further, I feel as if Ehrman is arguing that the scribes who changed the texts did so fully conscious of what they were doing and the upshot information technology would have on those who read the texts. In other words, I feel as if he has, in some way, painted the scribes equally people who intentionally wielded their ability in order to sway arguments toward the conclusion which they held. I believe that the early Christian scribes were also users of the texts; for me, that means that they were part of living, breathing churches which I believe in some mode experienced the work of the Holy Spirit among them. Every bit such, I believe that the scribes would have been cautious to retain the truth of the texts which they copied and hesitant to make changes to them.

Ehrman's book is useful, only his arguments should probably be taken with a grain of salt.

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December 24, 2012 Jon rated it did not similar information technology

Read the volume Revisiting the Abuse of the New Testament by Wallace. It clearly refutes a lot of claims and exaggerations institute within this book past Ehrman.

This is a difficult book, written mainly for scholars of ancient Greek, Coptic and Latin texts. The writing of it was like an archaeological mining operation through mounds of papyrus or parchment. Still, all the sifting and meticulous cantankerous-comparing of handwritten manuscripts yields nuggets of prove on the shaping of scripture over time. Ehrman finds patterns in the scribal alterations, usually toward conformity with an emerging orthodox doctrine nigh Christ. The Jewish-Christian referenc This is a difficult book, written mainly for scholars of aboriginal Greek, Coptic and Latin texts. The writing of it was like an archaeological mining functioning through mounds of papyrus or parchment. Still, all the sifting and meticulous cross-comparison of handwritten manuscripts yields nuggets of bear witness on the shaping of scripture over time. Ehrman finds patterns in the scribal alterations, commonly toward conformity with an emerging orthodox doctrine about Christ. The Jewish-Christian references to Jesus every bit a human being, the Gnostic depictions of him as a superhuman spirit, or "adoptionistic" descriptions of Jesus as a man who the holy spirit entered, all receive subtle "corrections" over fourth dimension. Manuscript 2766, for example, shows an alteration from older versions of Luke 8:28, where "Jesus, Son of the Highest God" is shortened to "Jesus, the Highest God." Without scholarship like Ehrman's information technology would be far less clear which versions of such lines are virtually original. Overall, this is cabalistic raw research, leading Ehrman toward his later books for a wider audition, such as the far more accessible "Misquoting Jesus." ...more

Ehrman lets you know up front that most of this book is written for Bible scholars. He encourages the residual of us to read the introduction, read the beginnings and summary of each chapter, skimming as desired thru the meat of the capacity. I tried to read it cover to cover, simply after the start chapter I decided to take the author's advice and thus got a lot more out of it.

His thesis is that as orthodox scribes copied out new manuscripts of the Bible, they felt obliged to add, subtract, or tweak w

Ehrman lets you know up front that most of this book is written for Bible scholars. He encourages the rest of us to read the introduction, read the beginnings and summary of each chapter, skimming as desired thru the meat of the chapters. I tried to read it encompass to encompass, just after the get-go chapter I decided to have the author's communication and thus got a lot more than out of it.

His thesis is that as orthodox scribes copied out new manuscripts of the Bible, they felt obliged to add, subtract, or tweak words in order to make the scriptures state more clearly what they ought to exist saying. They wanted to brand information technology harder for the heretics to prove their heresies from the scriptures. Ehrman goes through the master heresies they were trying to stamp out and how the Bible was changed to reflect the orthodox view improve.

Very interesting!

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Seriously flawed. Was expecting a piece of work of scholarship and got a lot of hot air. The 'evidence' is largely spurious, seriously limited in scope and the author draws conclusions from a lack of actual substance. C.E. Hill (Who Chose the Gospels) and others have basically had to put this work into the category of pop fiction. Seriously flawed. Was expecting a work of scholarship and got a lot of hot air. The 'testify' is largely spurious, seriously limited in scope and the author draws conclusions from a lack of bodily substance. C.E. Hill (Who Chose the Gospels) and others have basically had to put this work into the category of popular fiction. ...more than

This is way beyond my pay course, and then I'm not really in any position to give it a rating. Information technology likewise went into much more detail than I could handle. Only I did notice many of the concepts fascinating, such as Docetism, and the idea that, since Jesus was divine, he wasn't really human and only ate food to make his apostles relate to him (so debunked in instances when, for example, he asked for some h2o because he was thirsty on the cross). Or that he had Simon of Cyrene keep the cross in his stead, This is way beyond my pay form, then I'm non really in whatsoever position to give it a rating. It besides went into much more than item than I could handle. But I did find many of the concepts fascinating, such every bit Docetism, and the thought that, since Jesus was divine, he wasn't really human and but ate food to make his apostles chronicle to him (then debunked in instances when, for case, he asked for some water because he was thirsty on the cantankerous). Or that he had Simon of Cyrene go on the cross in his stead, since he was divine and couldn't dice on the cross.
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Jan 23, 2022 AJ rated it really liked it

Finished! Super difficult volume to read for just a hobbyist like myself. I'1000 sure this is a higher text. Plus I don't know any Greek. But I understood more than I expected and as usual thoroughly enjoyed reading Professor Ehrman. Fantastic book if y'all are interested in early Christologies of the first iii centuries. Finished! Super difficult book to read for but a hobbyist like myself. I'm certain this is a college text. Plus I don't know any Greek. But I understood more than than I expected and as usual thoroughly enjoyed reading Professor Ehrman. Fantastic volume if yous are interested in early Christologies of the first three centuries. ...more

I don't agree on his views on Christ mythicism, but every bit a scholar of the early church, I thought his ideas were very good. I don't agree on his views on Christ mythicism, but equally a scholar of the early church, I thought his ideas were very proficient. ...more

This is a must-read for those interested in textual criticism and early Christianity. It'south a serious piece of scholarship and has remained influential since it was first published in 1993. Forth with the work of others, it has pb to a new appreciation of textual variants every bit windows into the the history and interpretation of the text, rather than chaff to be discarded in the quest to reconstruct the 'original text'. Ehrman puts forward a solid argument that many of the variants in the gospels due west This is a must-read for those interested in textual criticism and early Christianity. Information technology's a serious piece of scholarship and has remained influential since it was first published in 1993. Along with the work of others, it has lead to a new appreciation of textual variants equally windows into the the history and interpretation of the text, rather than chaff to exist discarded in the quest to reconstruct the 'original text'. Ehrman puts forward a solid statement that many of the variants in the gospels were influenced by the christological controversies of the early centuries. While it'southward truthful that the scribes were living, animate people who were likely to have been influenced by such controversies, I'thousand not convinced that all of Ehrman's examples fall into this category. ...more

Variations on the truth?

A very complex report of textual variations from the early centuries after Christ and possible motives. Is what we 're a d what was written? Is our estimation correct or are nosotros led to believe a variation on the theme? Mind boggling and to some degree, scary.

Variations on the truth?

A very complex report of textual variations from the early on centuries after Christ and possible motives. Is what nosotros 're a d what was written? Is our interpretation correct or are we led to believe a variation on the theme? Mind extraordinary and to some degree, scary.

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Jan 08, 2014 Fred Kohn rated it it was amazing

Put on notice by the author that this book contained technical discussions, I was prepared for a hard read. In fact, the book was largely free of technical jargon. I suppose my knowing a bit of Greek helped, simply I tin't imagine fifty-fifty not knowing Greek being an impediment for a reasonably dedicated reader. Being put on guard by some other reviewer that this book was "seriously flawed," I read it more closely than perhaps I might have otherwise. Armed with my 21st edition of Novum Testamentum Gra Put on notice by the writer that this volume independent technical discussions, I was prepared for a hard read. In fact, the book was largely costless of technical jargon. I suppose my knowing a bit of Greek helped, just I can't imagine even not knowing Greek existence an impediment for a reasonably dedicated reader. Being put on guard by another reviewer that this book was "seriously flawed," I read it more closely than perhaps I might have otherwise. Armed with my 21st edition of Novum Testamentum Graece and a reconstruction of the Greek Text used past the NIV translators, I put the "seriously flawed" merits to the test and could find no substance to information technology.

Perhaps Christians who consider themselves heirs to orthodoxy believe past the championship that this book is an attack on modern day orthodoxy. But that claim has no merit. Of all the corruptions discussed in this book (and I'm guessing there had to be well over a hundred), but six of those considered by Ehrman to be corruptions (by my count) are reproduced in my edition of Novum Testamentum Graece.

What Ehrman doesn't discuss, and what makes me mad, is that occasionally fifty-fifty when orthodox scholars recognize what is original, they notwithstanding translate according to the abuse! For example, 1 John ii:28, speaking of Jesus, clearly says in the Greek "for IF he appears". Yet modern translations all say "for WHEN he appears", reproducing a abuse that is common in the Greek texts as well.

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Sep 20, 2007 Eric rated it liked it

Recommends it for: people humoring other people

A friend sent me a complementary re-create of this as bear witness for the intentional manipulation of early Christian manuscripts for the purpose of stamping out the numerous heresies that plagued the nascent church building. In that location'southward a run on sentence, phew, lamentable. Breath, in out.

The evidence is compelling, only information technology'south not particularly disconcerting. Regardless of what happened to 3rd/4th century copies of the Bible, our modern translations revert to older sources that are not tainted by these manipulations. While

A friend sent me a complementary copy of this as evidence for the intentional manipulation of early Christian manuscripts for the purpose of stamping out the numerous heresies that plagued the nascent church building. In that location's a run on sentence, phew, deplorable. Jiff, in out.

The testify is compelling, but it's not particularly disconcerting. Regardless of what happened to third/4th century copies of the Bible, our mod translations revert to older sources that are non tainted by these manipulations. While Ehrman might have a bespeak that the early church may have formed differently if the textual show weren't aligned with the party line during times of inquisition, I find that difficult to believe. It's not like today when we can inseminate millions of homes with our literary seed - each private manipulation was just that, one individual copy. I find it difficult to believe that the 0.02% of early Christians that made decisions in the determinative church building had only one copy of the scriptures to base their opinions on, and a corrupted one at that.

Either way, it'south pretty well done. Though I didn't read the whole thing, it's a little tedious for a not-biblical historian/theologian/linguist.

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Oct 25, 2010 Cera rated it really liked it

A very interesting look at the mode in which battles over 'right' Christology shaped the text of the New Testament. This is written primarily for scholars working in the aforementioned field of textual criticism, so it has the benefits & drawbacks of being extremely meticulous, downwardly to detailed discussions of New Testament Greek grammar. Ehrman is, luckily, aware of this, and structures each chapter with a more full general opening and introduction, so that readers like myself can skim more lightly over some A very interesting expect at the manner in which battles over 'correct' Christology shaped the text of the New Attestation. This is written primarily for scholars working in the same field of textual criticism, and then it has the benefits & drawbacks of beingness extremely meticulous, down to detailed discussions of New Testament Greek grammar. Ehrman is, luckily, enlightened of this, and structures each chapter with a more general opening and introduction, then that readers like myself can skim more than lightly over some of discussions near sources while still getting the gist of the argument.

I was also pleased to see that Erhman bears in mind that, while the Christians whose version of Christology eventually triumphed framed themselves as the orthodox and those who differed as heretics, the so-called heretics were of course framing themselves every bit correct and the orthodox as a heretical sect. Each group had a particular view of Christ that they believed was correct, and Ehrman touches briefly on some of the changes that the groups now called heretical made in order to support their positions.

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Sep 10, 2008 Alicia rated information technology liked information technology

In that location were some parts of this book that I idea were great and other parts that were long and the arguments seemed like kind of a stretch. The parts of this book that I really like talk nearly the different things that different groups of early Christians believed. Something nosotros don't hear nigh very much in church building are that early followers had some very dissimilar ideas nearly things that what has get mainstream today. The parts of the book that I didn't enjoy as much were the parts where he ar There were some parts of this book that I idea were great and other parts that were long and the arguments seemed like kind of a stretch. The parts of this volume that I really like talk about the different things that different groups of early Christians believed. Something we don't hear nigh very much in church are that early on followers had some very dissimilar ideas about things that what has become mainstream today. The parts of the book that I didn't enjoy as much were the parts where he argued about why changes were fabricated. Sometimes it seemed like what he was maxim was such a stretch that he should accept been saying that we can't know for sure and instead he was trying to argue his side. Either way, it was an interesting book to read. ...more

October xx, 2008 Dave Maddock rated information technology actually liked it

The methodical, detailed nature of this book is both its greatest advantage and weakness. At its heart, the book builds up a strong case for orthodox scribal alteration of the New Testament through the sheer weight of examples it presents. Fundamentally, it is easy to encounter how this arroyo is critical to the persuasiveness of the argument if i reads his popular rewrite of this material in Misquoting Jesus.

However, the minutiae of Greek grammar and its misuse is only as interesting as the part

The methodical, detailed nature of this book is both its greatest advantage and weakness. At its heart, the book builds upwardly a stiff case for orthodox scribal amending of the New Testament through the sheer weight of examples information technology presents. Fundamentally, information technology is easy to see how this approach is critical to the persuasiveness of the argument if ane reads his pop rewrite of this material in Misquoting Jesus.

However, the minutiae of Greek grammar and its misuse is but as interesting every bit the detail examples being discussed so I've found the book fluctuates betwixt incredibly fascinating to mildly interesting.

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Mar 15, 2015 Frank Bella rated it it was amazing

This was not easy reading, as it is really written for New Testament scholars, but the research by Bart Ehrman is very diligent. He is a historian who is an adept in ancient languages such as Greek and Aramaic. The average reader should effort "Misquoting Jesus", likewise by Ehrman. This was not easy reading, as it is really written for New Testament scholars, just the research past Bart Ehrman is very diligent. He is a historian who is an expert in aboriginal languages such every bit Greek and Aramaic. The boilerplate reader should endeavour "Misquoting Jesus", also past Ehrman. ...more

Jan 24, 2008 Cliff rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: people into the NT tradition

Recommended to Cliff by: John Hall

A skillful read on New Testament Textualism. Ehrman has taken the place of his mentor Bruce Metzger as the authority on the subject. However, Bart certainly has a theological bias that permeates the work and colors some of his conclusions...caveat lector.

December xvi, 2016 John Alvord rated it really liked it

While the level of his scholarship is beyond reproach, still Ehrman belies a trend to grind his axe confronting his ultra-conservative religious upbringing, as do many of his afterwards, better known books.

Jan 07, 2016 Michael Brady rated it it was amazing

"It is never like shooting fish in a barrel from the historian'south perspective, to make up one's mind whether the text led Christians to comprehend a doctrine or whether doctrine led Christians to modify the text."

One of Ehrman's three best books on the subject of early Christianity.

"It is never easy from the historian's perspective, to decide whether the text led Christians to encompass a doctrine or whether doctrine led Christians to modify the text."

One of Ehrman's iii all-time books on the subject of early Christianity.

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An interesting book every bit a scholastic (non-lds) study of the beginning of the apostasy. Some sections are hard to get through

Jul 03, 2012 Uncle rated information technology it was astonishing

After reading 'Misquoting Jesus' I picked up this and one other volume by Bart Ehrman; 'Forged'
For a review of why I like his books read the review under 'Misquoting Jesus'. Later reading 'Misquoting Jesus' I picked upwardly this and i other book by Bart Ehrman; 'Forged'
For a review of why I like his books read the review under 'Misquoting Jesus'. ...more

Mar 03, 2011 Jared is currently reading it

MUCH better than Misquoting Jesus. There are far fewer grandiose claims and far more than scholarly research than Misquoting Jesus.

A more scholarly read, non necessarily for general noesis.

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Colina. He came to UNC in 1988, after four years of pedagogy at Rutgers University. At UNC he has served as both the Manager of Graduate Studies and the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies.

A graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois), Professor Ehrman received both his Masters of Div

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of N Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. He came to UNC in 1988, subsequently four years of education at Rutgers Academy. At UNC he has served as both the Director of Graduate Studies and the Chair of the Department of Religious Studies.

A graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois), Professor Ehrman received both his Masters of Divinity and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary, where his 1985 doctoral dissertation was awarded magna cum laude. Since then he has published extensively in the fields of New Attestation and Early Christianity, having written or edited 21 books, numerous scholarly manufactures, and dozens of book reviews. Amidst his nigh contempo books are a Greek-English edition of The Apostolic Fathers for the Loeb Classical Library (Harvard University Press), an assessment of the newly discovered Gospel of Judas (Oxford Academy Press), and 2 New York Times bestsellers: God'due south Trouble (an assessment of the biblical views of suffering) and Misquoting Jesus (an overview of the changes constitute in the surviving copies of the New Testament and of the scribes who produced them).

Among his fields of scholarly expertise are the historical Jesus, the early on Christian apocrypha, the apostolic fathers, and the manuscript tradition of the New Testament.

Professor Ehrman has served every bit President of the Southeast Region of the Guild of Biblical literature, chair of the New Attestation textual criticism section of the Club, book review editor of the Journal of Biblical Literature, and editor of the monograph series The New Testament in the Greek Fathers (Scholars Press). He currently serves as coeditor of the serial New Testament Tools, Studies, and Documents (E.J. Brill), coeditor in principal for the journal Vigiliae Christianae, and on several other editorial boards for journals and monographs in the field.

Winner of numerous university awards and grants, Professor Ehrman is the recipient of the 1993 UNC Undergraduate Student Didactics Award, the 1994 Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, and the Bowman and Gordon Gray Award for excellence in teaching.

Professor Ehrman has two children, a daughter, Kelly, and a son, Derek. He is married to Sarah Beckwith (PhD, King's Higher London), Marcello Lotti Professor of English at Duke University. He lives in Durham, Due north Carolina.

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