Are the Gospels Historically Reliable? The Problem of Contradictions

Whenever there are multiple accounts of a past event - any past event - that are not simply different, but actually contradictory, they cannot all be historically accurate. So what does one do with the contradictions in the biblical accounts of Jesus’s life?
This talk was delivered in October 2019 at The Defenders Conference, an annual evangelical Christian event that offers different perspectives on one particular issue.
© Defenders Media 501(c)(3), posted with permission. Defenders Media provides media solutions for Christian apologists & apologetic ministries and works to bridge the gap from the academy to the church.

[@TwoAndAHalfMinotaurs]

Shoutout to this church for inviting this gentleman.

[@MrArdytube]

One thing that I find striking is that many of the issues that Ehrman raises are things that I remember noticing in my Christian youth. I Remember having similar thoughts, but dismissing those concerns since I expected that there would be a reasonable explanation, And I remember that when I did ask such questions... there always were “explanations”. And, I remember that these explanations were frequently not particularly satisfying; but I did not want to make a scene by questioning an authority figure.

[@swanben11]

Amen, so to speak.

[@88marome]

The horizontal reading of the gospels is exactly what I did when I tried to strengthen my faith in god but ended up losing my faith instead.

[@MrFreezook]

:) don't be depressed nor loose faith in God. There are 3 Abrahamic Religion. and I think you already know which one already believes in Jesus Christ + Why the other don't. ... Jesus was a Messenger/Prophet from God and He spoke Aramaic. The Greeks /Romans / Jews are the narrators, that's why the Bible is False. But this Prophet & Messenger lived. The true Story is yet to come to you, only if you are willing to seek it and make the effort and be on your maximum sincerity mode.

[@marklee3844]

An honest person, the same thing happened to me.

[@musti799]

You shouldn't lose faith in God, lose faith in the Bible, and it's reliability of it being a book from God. Continue searching for the truth, just because Christianity might be false, doesn't mean there is no God. If God exists he would want to communicate with us, if he expected things from us, it's only fair. Can you imagine if God punished us for not doing things he wanted us to do, despite him never having communicated to us what he wanted us to do? That would be unjust, God is Just. So just because you or others have lost faith in the Bible, that just rules it out as being the unchanged word of God, so look elsewhere. I invite you to sincerely research and look into the Quran and Islam, and if you still reject it, at least you can say to yourself you gave it a fair shot.

[@majesticrainmaker1460]

Nope, always seek for answer , search is that a contradiction? Then u also have to remember it is eye witnesses account hence they should differ, otherwise that would be like they were sitting together and discussing and hence there would be no difference, his all supposed Contradiction I searched and found good answers but remember what I said above.

[@jasals1148]

In the Qur'an : Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity. It is simple just read the Qur'an

[@pamcurtis2717]

My biggest issue has always been with the Trial of Jesus. All the disciples had fled. Who was there to witness the event? The accounts differ so wildly, it’s a glaring contradiction.

[@michaelsommers2356]

PNN (Palestine News Network) covered the trial live.

[@MP-yc2ou]

John actually followed Jesus closely. The only one to witness everything along with Mary and other women. And Peter also followed Jesus when he was arrested and questioned until he denied him3x.

[@justindravie8179]

the accounts never differ they are complementary and read well the gospel it says that the disciples run away and then some of them come back stop to fool yourself with stupid boy like barth

[@blu3collar949]

It is because Jesus never existed. At least, not the one described in the bible.

[@juadwhite1391]

@Pam yeah you are right,and according to Mark gospel the only event that proves Jesus divinity is the judge tearing his clothes due to Jesus claim of being the son of man prophesied in the old testament thus,if the trial details are not accurate,then Jesus divinity will be dubious.

[@artemiosnicola523]

Judging from Professor Bart's tone in this lecture I get the sense that the crowd gave him some weird looks at times. He seems to be pressing on his points a little more than usual, due to the theological views of the audience. Got to love that man.

[@serahaluko8420]

yes i think you are right

[@Seeds-Of-The-Wayside]

He talks with the cadence of a preacher. I like it. Easy listening. Like a sermon that makes you more athiest.

[@rafyta7]

best comment yet lol

[@sphagbog]

Agreed, but he confirms my Christian faith

[@subversion6066]

@@sphagbog Then you weren’t really listening...or hearing.

[@coryc8819]

I'm very interested, wanting to believe in something higher. But the Bible is sooooo ughhhhh

[@littlesmith5005]

@@coryc8819 You're interested in wanting to believe something... Those are your words. I'm just wondering how that works.. How do you search for something to believe in??

[@sphagbog]

From a Christian about to listen to this because I don't have blind faith . Really pleased Bart was invited. One reason I believe is that I am able to question our faith.

[@berosi]

I have been telling about these discrepancies to my friends for years now. No one wanted to search and see for themselves! That's what blind faith is doing to people!

[@marksteel4162]

Uh...uh...uh! Hehehe!

[@mr.punkie5872]

Because the guy has already been debunked. There’s a good book debunking the claims that he made. You can look it up or I can give it to you. Doing research needs to be un bias. So if you want to search for the actual truth look deep into BOTH sides

[@skeptischism1324]

@Michael Red Hawk your saying it's stupid to trust Ehrman because we haven't personally seen his diplomas, then you go straight to the disciples dying as martyrs, did you see them get killed for their beliefs, did you see Jesus rise from the dead. Cognitive dissonance at its finest.

[@EEeE3771]

@Michael Red Hawk It's not about whether the gospel is true or not. It's about discerning what IS true and what ISN'T. THEN, we figure out what we believe based on that. You can be a critical thinker and a Christian. I am a Christian and I think that Bart is very right about these contradictions. Because it's logical and can't be rationalized.

[@TorahisLifeandLight]

If Bart Ehrman had and have the credentials to know Hebrew and Greek why couldn't he come up with his own Bible translation to correct the Bible Translation "errors" just like every Bible Scholar out there with their own biased bible translation???? What I've encountered in the Bible Translations community is that the "Translators" have biased intentions when they translate the Bible since they belong to a "religion" splinter of Christianity. I've seen many Bible translation errors and including "Bible translation intercalations" which it is not only fraud or "corrupted translation" but it's unethical to alter an document changing the author or writer intentions. The original Hebrew and Aramaic texts were not translated correctly since the so called church ( Roman Church) initiated by the Roman's conspiracy of the emperors to expand the Roman Empire. They included their Roman festivals and Mithraic beliefs into the Bible. They corrupted the original Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts with their Neo-paganism. So , people still can reconcile the Messianic prophecies and the Gospel from the OT with the NT but they have to discover the LIES or DECEPTION of the ancient 325AD Roman Church in order to find the truth in the Bible. I am a Sephardic Jew, i know all the past Roman and Greek history as to how the Roman Empire and Greeks changed the ways of the Jews but also the whole world including sacred texts. We tried to warn the world about the Roman's Conspiracy but we were persecuted till death every time we opened our mouth. That's why the Bible is not historically or textually reliable because the Vatican or Roman Church intentionally corrupted the Bible primarily the New Testament with biased with their Neo- pagan theology to control and rule the world. No wonder the Roman Church banned the ordinary people to read the Bible. Since the Roman Church corrupted the Bible, it only created contradictions and inconsistencies with the Hebrew Bible or commonly known as "Testament" Example: the Roman Church corrupted the birth of the Messiah contradicting the Messianic prophecy in the Hebrew Scriptures or OT. The Hebrew Scriptures says that the Messiah will come from the house of David through the tribe of Judah but the Roman Church decided to change it to make the Messiah "divine as God incarnate" that they changed it to have the Messiah being born from the Holy Spirit, implying that God impregnated a mortal woman to have a child. Where is that messianic prophecy in the Old Testament???? precept upon precept. You won't find it.

[@jacuz169]

Dr Ehrman, I am a member of your blog. I've listened to many of your lectures on youtube over the years, some several times. I never tire of hearing and learning from your lectures. Most of all I appreciate the humor and good-naturedness that are a hallmark (imo) of your lectures. Thanks!!!

[@geoffmallett]

excellent lecture, difficult crowd, good questions and answers. Well done Dr Ehrman.

[@TheBeingReal]

It is amazing how many people will either hold to being ignorant or flat out lie to themselves to never admit they were wrong.

[@essenceofwisdom6808]

funny how the Evangelical apologists were always labeling Ahmed Deedat as someone who's lying and someone who's misrepresenting the Bible , but they were actually those individuals who were lying and deceiving . the majority of them are still trying to twist the reality by putting a square into the circle till this day on , which is nothing else than ridiculous. a simple cross examination of arguments lead only to one rational conclusion in this case and that conclusion is that Mr . Deedat and Mr. Ehrman provided a truthful explanation verse by verse and gospel by gospel .

[@romankhan9120]

True, Christian are self in doubt with theire books lol

[@Napoleonic_S]

Lol, as if that other religion is any better.

[@lunchmind]

From my limited perspective,one of the most serious contradictions in the Gospels is the account of the two thieves being crucified on either side of Jesus. One Gospel says "even the thieves made fun of him(or something to that effect) yet another one is the famous story of the penitent thief. That is serious because penance is a cornerstone of the Christian faith.

[@Jamie-Russell-CME]

I have honestly grown to appreciate this man. Dr. Ehrman, I love your work. You are a fascinating and entertaining man. Your enthusiasm is contagious and intellectual prowess something to be admired. "If you had a nickel for everytime you heard that..." Another charity would receive funds from Dr. Ehrman, I would wager.

[@Markos1979]

Mr. Bart You changed my life and made me see the truth. Thanks

[@TheVaughan5]

"Open mind" best advice you can give but far too many people are not interested feeling more comfortable with their own usually narrow agenda. Applies as much to politics as it does to religion.

[@demiurgeHater21]

Looking at the cruelty, ignorance, and contradiction of modern evangelical Christians, and the past 1600 years of blood and persecution wrought by Catholics, including the crusade, the massacre of the Cathars, Spanish Inquisition, and the Indulgences, I wish the Marcionites and the Valentinians had won the theological battle. If that was the case, Christianity could have been a knowledge-seeking religion that constantly adapts and coexists with the ever-changing scientific community that constantly refines & improves their worldview with more elegant and accurate understanding of the universe with each passing generation, instead of blindingly believing in a tiny subset of early Christian writings and one specific way to interpret those texts inherited 1700 years ago from Irenaues, Tertullian, Polycarp, and Origen.

[@pauljimerson8218]

Kudos to those in attendance for bringing in a different viewpoint that isn't "faith" building.

[@tommonk7651]

I've always wondered why Joseph's genealogy matters. Joseph isn't Jesus' father. What's the point? It is totally irrelevant. His genealogy doesn't link back to David because Joseph wasn't his father. Jesus is not "the son of David."

[@geraldbrienza4474]

It doesn’t natter because it’s fiction after all.

[@zetch972]

This is the best comment! Been wondering this exact fact for years.

[@deistormmods]

They should focus on Mary instead...his actual biological link. And she is the descendant of Aaron.

[@ibraheemkhan9116]

It’s to point out the inconsistency of the Bible. In one it’s Heli and the other it’s someone else. How can this be from god when there’s a clear contradiction? He’s pointing out the contradiction.

[@crhu319]

If he is ..he isn't a genetic son of God Zero Christians believed he was until about 11th century. Roman Emperors adopted their heirs. It was common. In 11th century Europe it was not. So they changed the story.

[@stupidas9466]

At nine years old i decided to give my life over to god and jesus and become a priest, so i took it upon myself to not only read the bible but understand exactly what was said and meant in it. I was an atheist before i turned ten years old.

[@KamranSher]

Professor Dr. Bart Ahrman is Real Gentleman and a great scholar of our era. ''It's much better to be intelligent believers than to be ignorant believer'' Dr. Ehramn

[@mver191]

Yeah Dr. Erhamn is the best

[@cristovive8398]

@@mver191 The only problem is he doesn't understand the bible. There is no contradictions in the holy book.

[@tradingforbeginners]

Great lecture...thank you for the video. Keep up the good work!

[@OhManTFE]

Keeping fighting the good fight against ignorance and superstition, Bart.

[@abashedsanctimony154]

Yes, lol He fails to see he found His ignorance by joining the Babylon religion. He denounced RCC ppaganism yet says what he read for his entire life was fallible. Christ isn't in Roma catholic mass ritual,, but in a Hebrew Septuagint

[@benstr8156]

Now, now be nice. His presentation has limitations. Just one angle, one perspective.

[@ChubieUjah]

I Really Love and appreciate Bart's Sincerity.

[@helenrichards7866]

Brilliant Yes Honesty in all things. Seeking out the truth is essential to living an authentic life.

[@quantumrobin4627]

Thank you for your hard work Dr Ehrman!

[@andreaandersen2478]

yay! i'm excited to see something new!! Keep it coming

[@infosecrogue8883]

Bravo to Defenders for inviting you to speak.

[@magicbeam6821]

You have to give them credit for that.

[@Heretical_Theology]

This was so refreshing! I miss Bart lectures : )

[@danielmartini3229]

Bart is by far his best during the Q&A part, where he get to showcase his _complete_ knowledge of just about every aspect of the bible. the rehearsed stuff comes off more as a sermon which I think puts ppl off

[@lucbral30]

Thank you for your work.

[@MrSidkhan1]

Even 1 contradiction or mistake, than its not from the Almighty, because Almighty doesnt make mistakes, not 1 let alone many.

[@shamimsarker839]

Almighty God can not die. God is Immortal. He cannot be seen or cannot be imagined.

[@Iamwrongbut]

Quite a big assumption that the Bible never makes about itself. What if God, in order to respect the prophet’s free will, only tells a prophet 100% true things. BUT, the prophet could write down whatever he wants. though he was inspired by God to write, he is not forced by God to write an exact dictation of God’s word.

[@edwardlongfellow5819]

@@shamimsarker839 You think God cannot be seen? Evidently you are not aware that he was seen by Moses-face to face!

[@scottlouissmith2382]

God DOSNT write, man dose!

[@nathanmckenzie904]

@@Iamwrongbut so why the hell would you believe it? I mean if the person that wrote it can write it down wrong how can you tell the difference?

[@DiscoverALLAH7777777]

Exactly! Use your Head! Be Sincere to God!

[@carolynlouise2056]

So happy to see a new lecture. This is a great one! I agree with the previous reviewer....kind of a tough crowd.....

[@GrowinLight]

Its not new. Its from 2019.

[@Hscaper]

Thank you yet again, sir.

[@blogginglife7956]

Thanks D. Ehrman for sharing your view.

[@GaslitGraduate]

I’m a former born again(from childhood my parents forced this belief, thinking they were doing the right thing) once I was able to realize that 99.9 % of what I believed was simply mental conditioning, & I started reading the Bible, and listening to Dr Ehrman, thank God I finally see the light 💡🙄... thanks Dr! 🙏😊

[@Khaledf]

Hello dr. Ehrman, *Thank you for this very informative lecture. Could you make a lecture about what the death of Jesus means for each gospel? You triggered the question when you spoke why Luke has the curtain be cut into half before Jesus died.* Thank you.

[@johndy9571]

Thank you for this.

[@valipopa75]

In my country, the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) is still extremely influential and interferes in politics. BOR categorized Bart's books as heretical, and considered Bart an apostate. Bart's books are starting to be translated into Romanian, however, and the readers' interest in them is very high. People start thinking with their own heads, instead of just repeating like zombies what others make them say and believe. But for most, the effort to reconsider some memorized fake stories is huge and many cowardly give up their freedom of thought.

[@edible0pig]

That's pretty arrogant of them, seeing as he was never part of the BOR and thus cannot really apostatize from it ;) I'm glad that new streams of thought are coming into your country.

[@whydama]

In my country, Bart is a recommended author for New Testament studies within the college which is run by the church and all lecturers are ordained ministers.

[@EzerEben]

During the Middle Ages, being labeled "heretical apostate" by the Church meant the end of your life as you knew it. Depending on the circumstances, you would either be exiled, hunted, imprisoned or burned at the stake. Thankfully, the Church has lost some of its abusive power, though, from what you are saying, we clearly haven't finished the job.

[@lunarmodule6419]

He is an apostate and an atheist and assumes it totally.

[@shisoujikohozon4211]

@@whydama sorry to say that I am not surprised by that. There are alot of false churches and priests in this world. And you seem to have some of them at your school. Most false priests will also try to convince people that all road lead to heaven and that simply isn't true.

[@buck_maize111]

I've never heard him this excited and giggly before 😆

[@monicavalladares4356]

I just love what I’ve encountered of Bart Ehrman so far- funny, charismatic, seems academically rigorous. Who is the best representative of “the other side”, the best defender of the Bible? I’m trying not to be a total atheist snob over here and I’m having a hard time- William Lane Craig is like white noise to me.

[@davebeecher6579]

Thanks 😊 I'm here for knowledge,

[@ibraheemkhan9116]

Thank you professor for showing the true nature of the Bible. So many Christians today refuse to believe that there’s not asingle problem with it. Just know that if something is from the creator it will not be defected, and clearly this is not from him. May creator guide you all to the truth.

[@gdobie1west988]

Bart Ehrman's book "God's Problem" was the first book I read that questioned my faith, and ever since then have moved away from my church and faith. Been about 10 years now since I removed the shackles that kept me from looking at things from a different perspective. I now consider myself a agnostic.

[@Baron8199]

If you think the Bible isn't true that doesn't mean that there's no God or you've to be Agnostic or Atheist, for me that means I've to search sincerely the true way to God and if I'm sincere I'll find him.

[@gdobie1west988]

@@Baron8199 Most believers rely on the bible as their proof for a God. Without the bible, one has to search for some kind of proof that God exists, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. I can't say that there isn't a God, and people can believe anything they want, but as far as my faith and religion go, once the bible was shown to have contradictions and discrepancies ( which we were NEVER told about in the 50 years I was a believer), and was the cornerstone of my religion, the man behind the curtain was exposed. Good luck to you in your search. Peace

[@jacobd4667]

John Mann completely agree, I ask god to guide me

[@somalitiktok586]

Why you research for other religion

[@gimble5555]

@@Baron8199 Or her... or it... or them... or nothing

[@cent7169]

1:49 "I think we must be thinking human beings" - Bart Erhman I agree because some very religious people are blinded by their faith even though it is against logic

[@subversion6066]

Finally some new Bart Ehrman. I’ve memorized his other 200 lectures already.

[@carmeladicen5157]

Subversion me too! 😝

[@MarkGrago]

Me too, lol!

[@wesleygordon1645]

Why ?scholarly but not really faith inspiring.Without a living, miraculous experience with the living God christanity means nothing. Christian experience cannot be based on the minds intellect alone.

[@leopoldopetrieska6564]

have you heard of his pop quiz he gives his students? and why they believe the gospels were written in hebrew? lol

[@subversion6066]

Wesley Gordon The point is man made up god. But deep down you know that in your heart and soul.

[@reeseexplains8935]

Great job, Bart Ehrman. I absolutely agree with everything you say. I praise you.

[@ghostriders_1]

I don't! For a top scholar he often says really dumb things like Luke came up with a different birth narrative, independently. Ffs Bart at least canvass the possibility that Luke was redacting Matthew and made changes based on his theology and not his grasp of history!

[@nick281972]

Christians/believers please ask yourself a simple question. If you were on a jury that was for a murder trial and all of the key witnesses gave contradicting statements and there was no evidence whatsoever to back up the charge, would you still send the defendant to the gallows? If yes then carry on believing If yes ask yourself why do I believe And if no drop it like a hot stone. And don't forget a murder conviction has to be proven beyond all doubt.

[@petarvasiljevic8764]

Contradicting evidence means something isn't right. One is lying. Good thing that Gospels don't contradict each other...

[@__Andrew]

@@petarvasiljevic8764 Ok, then tell me the story of the resurrection, in chronological order.

[@jacuz169]

@@petarvasiljevic8764 Read Yeshua's birth stories side by side. 2 very different contradictory stories. You're wrong - bible has many contradictions. Start with Gen 1 vs Gen 2..

[@QuinnPrice]

Comparing resurrection accounts led me to conclude that the witnesses of that event are not reliable. Simply read and compare. That led me to examine other contradictions. Apologetic explanations were nothing more than gaslighting. I left Christianity behind for what certainly looks and feels saner. No separation from God other than mind illusions that disappear with meditation. I feel peace because that's my deeper, higher nature. The kingdom is in you.

[@yusufnasiru1709]

Research Islam bro

[@rogersevers123]

The truth has to be out ther, if it isn't, then God is not the most merciful and caring of his creation. Please look at Islam.

[@brebeaa]

Lots of respect for Dr. Ehrman. I’m a believer, and this was a great insight into what he thinks and believes.

[@charleshendrick7266]

Bravo to Dr Ehrman... for such a direct and respectful educational lecture on these ancient writings. The study and your efforts I seriously appreciate and you have helped me greatly in getting a fixed on the what we can call true. Thank you.

[@nghermit4922]

That was amazing! I had a very similar experience. Bet you the pastor is sweating buckets... the offering!!

[@HumblyQuestioning]

The epistemological point is ALWAYS lost on religious people. Apply the same framework to Islam: just because one thing is wrong how is the rest of it wrong? Mormonism, Scientology, etc. If you hold that revelation is a valid method of coming to truth, which is frankly the only way to uphold the Bible, then your rejection of other's claims violates your own method. Every conversation with Christians comes to this. Their view is presupposed, and the (smart) ones who don't presuppose the view end up in my shoes: feeling conned.

[@ibraheemmoosa]

@Dirk Knight The importance of some work can stem from it's original context as well as how it has been used over the years after it's composition. To me the the Bible has importance because it has shaped so much of the history of the modern world. It does not have to be a divinely inspired book at all to be important.

[@moeb9561]

Islam has one Quran only it has no different versions or writers unlike the bible so no the same standard cannot be applied to Islam since it contains gods speech only. Secondly you stated that their is wrongs in Islam what in Islam was wrong?

[@brightwellkunene8995]

@Dirk Knight You know it all Dirk. I think you were alive 2000 years ago

[@GelidGanef]

@Dirk Knight So you're saying Christianity is a religion designed for noncitizens being oppressed within the massive economic area and cultural hegemony of a former pious democracy which had swelled into a global militaristic imperialist power? Well no wonder so many find Christianity resonant today.

[@gamescore1654]

@@moeb9561 is there nothing wrong in the quran?

[@game.designer]

He is so happy being invited. They probably invited him because they think the answer of the question would be "Yes".

[@boriscuduco6398]

Even if we don't agree with everything Bart says, though I'm just more willing to be agnostic about Jesus' figure as per Superman's interest analogy, but I agree on the reasoning and obvious dissection of the NT and its problems in relation with the claims of Christians and the own books, we should share more of this. Christians need to listen to reason and the contention against their belief. For a better world.

[@jollyandwaylo]

Since every Christian I've ever met had a different view of god or Jesus, I assume the writers of the Gospels were pretty much the same as their followers. They all have their own god.

[@horemopik2152]

Casue they have 66 canon books 39 new and 27 old, 66 the old contradicts totally with the new like totally, the old says 1 GOD, the new says some jesus, father, 3 in 1, luke says, mark says, paul says, like bunch of people says not what jesus said but what people think he said or were told what he said, reminds me of hinduism in soome book of vedas it said earth has four corners, turtle in space like some cheap myths wich no one would believe even before 4000 years yet indians believe, bible was compiled 330 years after jesus death who knows what the jews,pope,romans did and why they included some removed some etc

[@SAADOFFICIAL436]

@@horemopik2152 Canon book? Did they wrote manga?

[@ismaelbravo3571]

horemo pik ok good now , lets cut to the chase ,you think the Bible is mythical and some other nonsense, I absolutely agreed.

[@redditverse6511]

@@SAADOFFICIAL436 Looks like it with more than a handful versions and the amount of hentai in it.

[@jimmys6566]

@@horemopik2152 You are a clown. In the west there are 77 books in the Bible. The Old does not contradict the New; for instance, Zechariah 13:8 illustrates our sinfulness saying that 2/3 will be lost and 1/3 saved. But in Ez 18:23 we read that God wants us all to be saved, while in Matt 23:27 we see time and again many, whom God called, simply would not listen and obstinately many choose death. 1 Tim 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 confirm that God is patient in giving us chance after chance to repent and grasp eternal life. Jesus reflected that many choose the wide path to perdition while only few choose the narrow path to eternal life. Matt 7:13

[@spaceisalie5451]

The Blazer looks great, fits the shoulders 🌋

[@johnjohnson1657]

Well done. Kudos.

[@robindavis7023]

Thank you.

[@stevejensen7539]

Not merely a scholar. A Robust scholar! Love it!

[@GA-hg4ov]

The Questions from the Audience are very intelligent.

[@ninanayoan3313]

Dr Ehrman, i really appreciate your scholarly explanation on how the Bible can be read. I am just wondering though if the authors of the gospel book have the different basis or source and intent of portraying Jesus, given the various long time gap of the writing from the event being talked about, would that mean the existence of Jesus (being the healer of Jairus' daugther or the descendent of David, or having met his disciples after his resurrection, just for instances) should be totally denied or neglected? Would the term historically unreliable be the only reliable measure in understanding the Bible? just curious!

[@HebaruSan]

You could teach somebody how to be a better public speaker by showing them this presentation, separate and apart from how convincing the points are. Well done, Bart!

[@bretnetherton9273]

Awareness is known by awareness alone.

[@jkm6112]

Love love love you!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@KFRogers263]

Bart is such true scholar and amazing presenter. I am a solid atheist who now in later life, I'm become more of an activist I guess. However, if he taught at my college when I went, despite my major being physics, I would've taken every one of his classes (or at least audited).

[@Amazing_Mark]

Smashes the doctrine of biblical inerrancy into a million pieces.

[@DieDruckwelle]

22:45 Abraham is not only the father of the jews but also of the arabs, descendents of ismael.

[@prisonss]

Bart should be the pope!!! An educator who is honest, knowing and trustworthy

[@sam.83]

it would be hilarious

[@zacharyshort384]

The Pope should be more like Bart :D

[@Se7enStars369]

@@sam.83 Indeed but his laugh is forced and that's embarrassing sometimes.

[@shisoujikohozon4211]

The pope is none of those things though.

[@billyhw5492]

And when a great crowd came together and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.

[@UnimatrixOne]

Damn, I love this man, could listen to him every day! :)

[@teonarunderlitzt9278]

Me too.

[@charleshendrick7266]

Agreed... so professional and so respectful in his delivery AND his knowledge of the materials. This man helped me a lot.

[@abashedsanctimony154]

He's a false teacher. Luke is Marys lineage sotherefore it is different from a succinct Matthew genealogy whereby Christ come through Joseph's lineage which , as context would have it, Was also of the Tribe of Judah. Mary of Levi? But rather Judah.. Tribal affiliation in ancient Israel was through the male line. Since Mary’s father was of the tribe of Judah, Mary would have been from the tribe of Judah and so also Jesus, fulfilling many prophecies. What About Jesus Being Both King and Priest People like to claim the levitical tribal heritage as support that Jesus was (and is) both King and Priest. However, even if there was a familial connection to the tribe of Levite, it does not fit with Scripture. 1) Jesus could not have been a priest because He is clearly from the Tribe of Judah on both His earthly father’s side and His mother’s side (remember Mary’s father, Heli, was of the Tribe of Judah). 2) In his incarnation, Jesus did not come to be King or Priest. He came in the office of Prophet, as prophecied (Deut 18:15, Acts 3:22). He came to preach “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19) and, as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), to fulfill God’s purpose and plan of redemption that was first prophesied in the Garden (Genesis 3:15). 3) Most significantly, Jesus’ priesthood is not of the Levitical priesthood (of Aaron). *It is of the priesthood of Melchizadek* (Hebrews 5:8-10). Jesus fulfills this office now, as our High Priest, at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1:3, 13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2), interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). Bart Simpson fail..

[@amandadewet4022]

William Warner Wallace cold case Christianity and Lee Stroebel have a good understanding of the topic

[@ThomasLStanley]

@@abashedsanctimony154 AGREED!

[@terryleddra1973]

Great lecture by Bart. The underlying message being use critical thinking and common sense. Only sheep need a shepherd.

7:18 The exact moment he lost the room.

[@DammaDry1]

Dr bart, The story of king hirod killing 2 yrs babies n below. Why we do not read this in josephus’ book about the atrocities of king hirod!?

[@davidk5954]

Because it is not historical. Such an event would be attested by several people.

[@DavidPNeff]

Because it never happened. If you pay attention, Matthew says this is a fulfillment of a prophecy in Jeremiah; however, when you read the prophecy in Jeremiah, you will find that he deliberately misquotes it.

[@stevenkarner6872]

jetboss737 As a nutrition oriented person I find it quite common to compare apples and oranges. They are both edible fruits which are commonly consumed in this country. Furthermore, purposely excluding part of the “prophecy” so that it fits your narrative is more then disingenuous, it is perpetuating a lie.

[@EyeIn_The_Sky]

@jetboss737 that would be an interesting point had it not been for the fact that the anonymous author of "Mathew" had misquoted several passages to suit a different narrative than the book of Mark who he copied over 85% of WORD FOR WORD...

[@mistahaych9552]

@jetboss737 yes but the verse he quotes - he implies it was a prophecy and that it referred to the messiah or jesus when it was the most farthest from it.

[@stephenwodz7593]

An infinitely wise God would not try to pass on essential information using a book, written in languages only a tiny fraction of the world's population understands, when few people were literate. If He's omnipotent, why didn't he just implant the information of the Bible into our brains at birth?

[@deistormmods]

What would be the point of a test then? The reason why God sent messengers was to test his creation. It's like asking the teacher for the answers. Why God wants to test us? I'm not sure.

[@epascal340]

This talk reminds me of that Nietzsche quote about the New Testament, "It was a subtle refinement of God to learn Greek when he wished to write a book- and that he did not learn it better."

[@barbjoz63]

I'm loving Dr. Ehrman 2020! Still kind and considerate but not taking any crap. At this point in his career, he's heard every question and apologetic and I sort of like that he's a little curt sometimes.

[@theresewalters1696]

Age of Reason. Read it. Thomas Paine. Founding father. 18th century.

[@mayito9100]

One can only admire and respect people like Bart Ehrman. Just like any one else believer or non believer deserves my respects. It doesn't necessarily mean that I agree 100% with his findings but from my own research I completely understand his views.

[@tysphonicsjonas6994]

You do have to wonder how these contradictions were left in the bible. From my experience as a kid you were told lots of things from the NT but the preacher was taking information from several gospels e.g. only John mentions the spear in Jesus side to prove he was dead but does not recall the dead being raised which Matthew does.

[@joecipriani2478]

Here's another contradiction - wages of sin is death yet (Romans 6;23). God alone is immortal (1 Tim. 6:16). YET most Christians believe man has an immortal soul. FYI: The idea of an immortal soul is not found in scripture - but came into the Christian church through greek convert Tertullian.

[@HamidTursunov]

Interesting

[@aquabat104]

more debates! This will hold me over

[@truthseeker9693]

The question about whether we should reject other claims in historical sources if there exists some factual contradictions in the same source,got the response,NO from Bart.That is okay for secular and mortal works that do not lay claim to ABSOLUTE TRUTH and basis for eternal salvation or damnation of humans.Yet the verdict of the intellect for a book that is claimed to be inspired by the Perfect God is that it is NOT OKAY or else,God did NOT intend that book to be eternally relevant.Some claim that the gospels are inerrant in their original autographs.In other words, they are admitting the corruption of what they currently have! It is interesting though,that none of the 4 gospels claimed to be inspired by God.It is a claim made for them NOT,one they make themselves. No intellectually honest mind can rely on the gospels and NT in general as they exist today for his or her salvation.Did Luke 16:10 not say: "“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. " The modern orthodox teachings of original sin,vicarious atonement via crucifixion and resurrection and trinity relying on the gospels and the rest of the NT is not only intellectual bogus and repugnant but also historically unreliable and fails the Luke 16:10 test! Do You agree Bart?

[@keepitreelcatfishing5883]

If Matthew and Luke were university students writing their end of semester literary works, the professor would fail them for producing works more than 70% plagiarized. Then the professor would ask them to send an apology letter to Mark. Mark is also not off the hook as he copied from Q.

[@scienceexplains302]

Another problem with the census story is that a significant portion of the population would be claiming descent from David. Bethlehem would have been overrun before Joseph and Mary arrived.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

I have difficulty believing the most important event that ever happened is recorded only in a collection of ancient Hebrew literature that is the topic of intense debate and the loss of millions of lives. Surely an all powerful, all wise, all loving creator would not intentionally plan such a disaster.

[@thetannernation]

Do you have the mental capacity to know what is ultimately best for humanity? It’s easy to call an egg rotten, but laying a better one, not so much.

[@DoctorMGL]

i invite you to read the Quran the book of islam the last god books to human kind you'll find it all make sense and you can then decide by yourself :)

[@horemopik2152]

Death is the beginning of the life of the soul, you may live 100 years kill and become famous and rich and you can live chilling and in rest then you die and you account for your sins, thats how it works in abrahamic religions, just because suffering and evil exist and hits even good people doesnt disprove GOD and the test in wich every human being has to pass for its eternity in the afterlife

[@martinmartin1137]

@heilige Einfalt Quran makes sense to belive only in 1 God and to worship him alon whithout partners..etc. I havent find contradictions there. Even God says: if this book is from others(man made)it will contain many contradictions and errors.

[@greenprofile5755]

@heilige Einfalt lol I bet you never read it except verses 9:5 9:6 2:189 7:26 4:34 99:7 82:5

[@humsterstories9736]

I lost so much time by trying to reconcile, for many years i believed there must be some correct text i could rely upon, but as i was digging, textually, linguistically, historically, contextually, etc. i found out the bible is a moral collapse and cannot serve as ethical guidance. After some years of confusion and depression i completely gave up my faith. It felt like a huge stone falling off my shoulders, with no need to deceive myself and everybody else any longer

[@shisoujikohozon4211]

Sounds like a lack in faith. Thats just what I think, I don't mean to disrespect

[@abdelqanimohammed995]

Try reading the Koran , there you will find answers to all questions plus how they’ve edited the Bible over the centuries. Don’t give up on GOD .

[@NM-dl1gv]

Congrat. You are using the precious gift from God. MIND. One should not stop searching for Truth.

[@evancook1206]

Love ya Bart, out there doing the good work

[@alanmacification]

There has been some creative editing or shall we say " harmonizing " of these horizontal contradictions in some of the new versions of the Bible. Prof. Ehrman might want to include these as examples of people correctly the Bible in his " Forged " lecture.

[@MrDodavis61]

Matt 27:48. Why did the guy decide to run to get some wine vinegar? Was he racing against another guy who was trying to get there first?

[@steinadleradler3431]

My only question: if god accepted jesus's sacrifice why am I not in heaven even 2000 years after and counting!

[@humberlick]

The gospel are merely legends with no hard evidences to back it .I can write a fictional character and blend it with some historical events. when the reader is spellbound to the story a cult following is born. religion have no purpose in our modern live now,it obsolete. however,keep it simple in believes with morals.

[@amrannahshal738]

Forget contradictions they can claim a lot of things to cover them. The trinity worshipers been living a lie for 2000 years, ask about authenticity, when they can't link their believe system to who they claim to follow, they got nothing else 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SAADOFFICIAL436]

Hm

[@happiness9752]

Opinions can't change facts but facts should change opinions

[@scooprammer5934]

I read some of comments from christians, they seem to like to belittle the speaker but not much about actually what he says. All that matters is what he saying true and if you corroborate with other historical professors...... Definitely all saying things in common.

[@Panairjdde]

Just a question: why Comic Sans?

[@aw6029]

Just to annoy people who hates it

[@Fireoncityy]

I just genuinely appreciate the respect and humility behind Dr. Ehrmans talks. Such a good man for the world. Christians, atheists and all others. He is a great benefit.

[@dougarnold7955]

Thanks.