Do Fundamentalists (Actually) Follow Jesus?

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Every Christian fundamentalist on the planet, of course, claims that they follow Jesus. Avidly. But do they? Why do so many seem to overlook or ignore many of Jesus' key teachings? Surely they know what he said about loving the enemy and the foreigner? Why do they claim that Jesus said things he never, actually, talked about (many of the most pressing social questions fundamentalists are keen on)? Is being a fundamentalist these days less about believing the "fundamental" doctirnes of the faith and more about having the correct social and political views? What would Jesus make of Falwell and his Followers?
-Scholars have long known that it is difficult to know what Jesus actually taught. Could you e-plain something about that briefly?
-Even if there are problems with knowing e-actly what Jesus taught, is there much dispute about his ethical teachings?
-Is there a big difference between what the Gospels say Jesus taught as his ethics and what you think the historical Jesus actually taught?
-What would you say are the overriding values that Jesus is presented as promoting?
-What parts of the Jewish Bible does he privilege, then?
-Do these differ substantially between the gospels?
-Why would Jesus make that change?
-How is John different from what we’ve discussed?
-Who e-actly are we talking about when we say “fundamentalist Christian”?
-What would you say are the core concerns or beliefs of fundamentalist Christians?
-In what ways would you say that fundamentalist behaviour and concerns are in line with Jesus’ teachings?
-Do fundamentalists see a discrepancy there?
-How does the Prosperity Gospel line up against Jesus’ teachings?
-Do you think that Jesus would have approved of modern fundamentalism?

[@dancahill9585]

Short answer, No. Long answer Noooooooooooooooooooo.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

😂

[@dechskaison2497]

100%

[@numbersix8919]

I want you on our staff.

[@anthonycraig274]

That was a long 😂. At least 6 seconds

[@scottduke]

Ditto!!!!!😊

[@mhoeij]

The prosperity gospel, let’s just call it what it is, these pastors are conmen. They teach the exact opposite of what Jesus taught, and they know it, simply to enrich themselves.

[@penny459]

yes its a foul doctrine the way its been bought about. Using the scriptures to enhance their own wealth first and foremost. And drain it from others. I dont know why God allows it to keep going on.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

It’s not just the “Prosperity Gospel”, though. The con reaches much further than that.

[@shaunaburton7136]

But people want prosperity teachers. Can you imagine a preacher who said give everything away having a large following?

[@mhoeij]

@@shaunaburton7136 There was a really famous teacher 2000 years ago who said exactly that.

[@penguinista]

@@mhoeij But only his simulacrum has a following. The simulacrum created by con men and perfected over millennia. It only makes sense that other con men will co-opt the very successful formula. The Catholic church is looking on with admiration at the 'prosperity gospel' preachers.

[@angelito90210]

This was spot on. I call Evangelicalism "the American myth".

[@Plethorality]

Yes!!!!!! It really gets up my nose as a Christian in Australia. The bible is NOT American!! Nor is God.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Why would you say that?

[@greglogan7706]

@@davidlafleche1142 I just sighed at your question... 😥😥

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@greglogan7706 Well, stop "sighing" and start providing justification of why you hate Christians.

[@earlysda]

Jesus was a Fundamentalist. Let's follow Jesus.

[@Bob94390]

Thank you for spreading important information. "The best cure for Christianity is reading the bible" - Mark Twain

[@dominicestebanrice7460]

So true! As a lapsed Catholic, I took the opportunity, with time freed up during the COVID pandemic, to listen to the entire thing via the "World of Promise Audio Bible"; a superb production delivered by A-List actors such as Jason Alexander, Joan Allen, Richard Dreyfuss, Louis Gossett, Malcolm McDowell, and Gary Sines. The 90 hours went by quicker than I expected as I couldn't wait to listen to the next installment of grotesque inhumanity, logical contradiction, moral bankruptcy, or sheer irrational idiocy. I knew there were problematic passages in the Bible but the sheer volume of hate, division and nonsense it contains shocked me; it is truly a product of late-antiquity, a period when the wheelbarrow was advanced technology, and of a mindset that should be utterly alien to people living in advanced society today. It was this process that finally allowed me to let go and move from half-assed agnosticism to my "evangelical atheism". The bible is no more "sacred" or the "revealed word of God" than are Plato's dialogues, Homer's epics, or Virgil's Aeneid.

[@LetsReconnect]

Not sure how scripted this is but it co9mes across as very free-flowing and I have to praise Megan and nominate her best interviewer on KZbin. Precise, brief interjections drawing out further elaboration in a way that’s immensely satisfying for the viewer with no extraneous unnecessary commentary for the sake of input/airtime. She’s brilliant!

[@lastwave235]

she really is fantastic.

[@critter5248]

the entire thing is scripted, even your comment was scripted in advance. even my comment was scripted in advance. it's scripted all the way down.

[@dylanjames8792]

Yes, she's an amazing interviewer!

[@dmann1115]

She is a scholar and a very intelligent person.

[@numbersix8919]

She's a real intellectual. And Bart's a real scholar.

[@numbersix8919]

I have a Red Letter Bible. The red ink marks most of what evangelicals ignore.

[@theone6189]

haha Imagine constructing a worldview/way of life, based mostly upon interpolations, on concepts that were originally written in a language with which you can't even read, speak or write.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

_'Surely they know what he said about loving the enemy and the foreigner?'_ Where in the New Testament does Jesus Christ mention _'loving the foreigner?'_

[@GabrielEddy]

They don’t practice the religion *of* Jesus

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

@numbersix8919 You have a Red Letter Bible. Your comment indicated that you've read through the sayings of Jesus of the Bible. You're in for a surprise. Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslims????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

@numbersix8919 You made a fantastic observation. The disparity is because the Church follows Paul the f3r0c10us w0lf in she-ep's clo-thi-ng whom Jesus wa-rn-ed about. The Christian FAITH is the exact opposite of what Jesus preached and practiced. The Bible testifies. 1) Jesus: ✅ THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD. John 17:3. Christians: ❌ NO. The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Triune-God / Godhead / The Trinity / One God in three persons or whatever you want to call it) is the true God. 2) Jesus: ✅NO payment needed, NO Jesus died for us. Just repent sincerely and the Merciful God (THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER) forgives. Christians: ❌ NO. Salvation comes by the blood of Jesus and his d_y-1ng on the cross 3) Jesus: ✅ Keep the Laws and the commandments if you want eternal life Christians: ❌ NO. Eternal life comes by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus 4) Jesus: ✅ Do NOT neglect even the smallest laws Christians: ❌ NO. Those laws are unimportant 5) Jesus: ✅ I was sent ONLY for the lost sheep of Israel Christians: ❌ NO. Jesus came for us all, Jesus came for all of mankind *************** I'm a M-u-s-l-i-m. My position is that of the defender of the true honor and status of Messiah Jesus (peace be upon him) against the L13S and A-B-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N-S which both the J3-ws as well as the Christians attribute to Messiah Jesus (peace be upon him). I invite you to reason. First send foremost on the subject of God.

[@soyevquirsefron990]

@20:00 “love is not an emotion the way Jesus uses it, it’s an action how you behave toward others. You treat that in a way that’s their best interest” That contradicts the fundy tropes of “love the sinner hate the sin” and “thoughts and prayers”

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Yep.

[@mlthornton1]

I think it's not so simple. If a person misbehaves, is the loving thing to reward or punish? If an addict asks for money, is the loving thing to give charity?

[@JopJio]

They claim to follow Jesus, but everytime they argue Paul is their main source.

[@mikeoveli1028]

JopJio They love the Old Testament too. When they are trying to pull you in they remember every good thing that Jesus taught. Once they have you it is all about hell and damnation.

[@antonius3745]

Then you don't know the real Paul: Paul was no christian.

[@clarencehammer3556]

All the emphasis on Paul is very tiresome.

[@antonius3745]

@@clarencehammer3556 That is the problem of taking the Bible literal and not understanding it spiritual.

[@Truth-Is-a-Hard-Pill]

​@@clarencehammer3556 The following comes to you with love and respect. Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslim????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@viewcontent3271]

Thanks D.R Erhman I’m a Christian and I love your opinions on things

[@LetsReconnect]

Me too. Funny that I still think of myself as a Christian… despite the Christians! 🤣

[@penny459]

Im a Christian too, and Bart adds an extra dimension to the Scriptures

[@Truth-Is-a-Hard-Pill]

​@@penny459 Do you follow Jesus? Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTR-OYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but Christians (majority) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The Jews INCLUDING ME - Jesus) Here is the Trinity-DE:ST-RO-YI-NG testimony of Jesus. “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I’m a Christian, but it has nothing to do with any of my changing view about religion or God. It has to do with my cultural upbringing. There was never a time in my long life when I thought “Christian” had any other meaning.

[@rxw5520]

@@LetsReconnectbe cautious about buying into narratives that generalize Christians as bad or intolerant. The vast majority are probably just like you. This idea that the majority Christians are backwards or intolerant or hate x y and z, that is a narrative resulting from far left political agendas that sadly has been swallowed hook line and sinker by almost everyone.

[@somersetcace1]

From having sort of witnessed fundamentalist Christianity over my lifetime, they seem not to set their beliefs by what the bible says, but rather they make the bible say what they believe anyway. Which is awfully convenient, by the way, when they also claim it the objective divine authority of a god.

[@ml-s3512]

Dr. Ehrman: The Spanish speaking world desperately needs your books. We need them translated into Spanish, pronto. I would buy all of them for my friends and relatives. Thank you.

[@karlu8553]

Jesus and John Wayne is a fantastic book! Extremely insightful. High recommend.

[@coachwalk7485]

Great read but so disappointing. Certainly wasn’t a good look for Billy Graham. The behind the scenes violent militaristic mindset and actions are just shocking.

[@txikitofandango]

People accuse Ehrman of deconverting Christians but the part at the end about Prosperity Gospel is so moving, so stark and simple...I'd be surprised if he didn't bring more people toward Jesus as an organizing principle for life than away from him

[@christopherantiam4663]

You think so because you herd one thought 💭 lol . Listen to more than one as a whole to know barte standing on Gs us cry 😢 because he will end Christmas one day bart is anti like in to me an fully who discredit Christianity to many holy is 🕳️ but none whole

[@travishumaneproject5322]

I know from the title this is already gonna be a great episode

[@pagandeva2000]

A painful one at that!😅

[@miyojewoltsnasonth2159]

46:26 "Why would you want to write a book about something you don't know anything about?" I've never written a _book,_ specifically. But I've written _papers_ that I've learned from _by writing_ those papers. I can extrapolate from my own experience that I could _learn something_ through the act of writing a book.

[@discutiibiblice]

what Bart says, as an Academia goon, is that you have to be confine in certain limits. You can't just go and write things as you want, you must adhere to some kind already established Academia beliefs and points of view. See you next chewsday.

[@miyojewoltsnasonth2159]

@@discutiibiblice I'm assuming you are an evangelical Christian. If so, have you heard of Hillsdale College in Michigan? Sure, more mainstream schools like the Ivy Leagues and state colleges like Bart's University of North Carolina have a tendency to err on the side of "Academia." But please stop pretending you live in North Korea where religion is banned. If evangelicals truly believe their _own_ POV is important ... start YOUR OWN new college. That is to say, start your own new college where you WON'T be "confined" by "Academia." And just in case you are curious about my background, I'm an atheist son of a Baptist preacher. *Reply to:* _"what Bart says, as an Academia goon, is that you have to be confine [sic] in certain limits. You can't just go and write things as you want, you must adhere to some kind already established Academia beliefs and points of view. See you next chewsday."_

[@matthewvanhorn9931]

They stopped when Bart was just starting to get fired up. I wanted to keep that tape rolling!

[@greglogan7706]

YEAH - pouring fire out of the pulpit...shades of fundy Ehrman...😀😀

[@AJ-zr4fc]

10K words a day! That's incredible Bart. Look forward to the new book.

[@mushroom_thrillers]

This is like watching a top sports duo. “Set up by Lewis. Ehrman drives to the goal.” Nicely done!

[@garymensurati1631]

Purdy to Ai-Yuk touchdown 49ers !

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I want to thank Megan for asking about the “prosperity gospel”, not because of that particular contortion, but because it leads Bart finally to discuss the fundamental, so to speak, contradiction between how what used to be considered fringe religious systems behave toward the accumulation of wealth and what Jesus taught about the accumulation of wealth.

[@julianmcmillan2867]

Fundamentalists and evangelicals LOVE to compare the Catholic Church to the Pharisees. Easy pickings I know; massive political power, pedantic rules and the reliance on ritual and rules over spirituality. However, never have I seen more stark a rendition of the Pharisees during Jesus' ministry than modern Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. These people worship at the alter of so-called "tradition". They interfere with politics and culture on the basis of their stringent rules. They pontificate and throw tantrums at the world because the world doesn't look like what their Frankenstein doctrines told them it should look like. They're calloused and unmoving. They don't believe in the so-called Spirit, they don't act on it. But they love to teach it and talk about it. They gatekeep for all other Christians and sit in judgement as if they have authority over Christendom. They HATE progressive and moderate Christians because, like the Pharisees, they fear a change to their cultural and political structures.

[@johnnywatkins]

EDITED TO ACCEPT A CORRECTION I’m a lapsed catholic, but I always thought that Christians in general believed the version of the faith my mother thought me. That being a good Christian happened in the world and not in the church, turn the other cheek, love one another, she told me that god wouldn’t punish good people from all over the world with hell just because they hadn’t even heard of him! She told me the church stuff is important but the real job of a Christian is to spread love and make the world a better place for everyone I claimed that a bishop said you must accept Jesus Christ as your lord and saviour, I was challenged on that claim and so I checked the interview where I heard it. he in fact said that the central message of Christianity is that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. That was not my position when was still in the faith but I definitely put words in his mouth. Not only that but he later said according to Vatican two if a person lives a life according to his conscience they may still be saved even if they are atheist. So I completely misremembered and misrepresented his words and I sincerely apologise for that. That said I still am of the understanding there are in fact denominations within the faith it is trough faith alone salvation is reached that you must accept Jesus as your lord and saviour to get in to heaven, if I still had faith I would still agree with my mother and not this view

[@mikeoveli1028]

Your mother is far wiser than the bishop.

[@jespervalgreen6461]

It sounds like your mother did an excellent job of teaching a child what one should teach a child. But as for what that bishop said, a lot depends on how he meant it. If he meant that you should surrender your independent judgment to him and to the church as intermediaries, as go-betweens, between you and god, then he is in error. This is what Martin Luther objected to. On his view there can be no intermediaries, and you are always left to your own judgment. He doesn't recommend that you trust your own judgment. Quite the contrary. Continue to do the good deeds, but you must also study your Bible, and your catechism (that he wrote), and whatever else you may deem fit for serious study in this regard, and there will be a test. But if you think that you can ever redeem yourself through your own deed and judgment, then you are in serious error, as only the Lord is fit to be a judge. But you are, in Luther's view, condemned to your own judgment; you don't have a choice in the matter. And that's where surrendering to your Lord and Savior can seem the only viable option, perhaps even through an intermediary, whether a charismatic individual, or an institution that claim some special authority or wisdom. But Luther doesn't let you off the hook that easy. You still have to be the judge yourself of whether what, or who, you're surrendering to, is what they seem. But doing the good deeds is still the baseline. All of this to say, your childhood faith, and your mother's good teaching must have served you well, but this is grown-up stuff, and you may decide for yourself whether you would even want to grapple with it. Be at peace, brother.

[@johnnywatkins]

@@jespervalgreen6461 so if you are illiterate you can’t study the bible and are dammed no matter how virtuous your life?

[@littlebitofhope1489]

It's not the accepting that bothers me, it is the implicit threat that goes along with it. There is ALWAYS a silent "OR ELSE" after that phrase. eg, Accept Jesus as your lord and savior OR ELSE you will be tortured for all eternity.

[@littlebitofhope1489]

@@jespervalgreen6461 I love how you say "be at peace" right after your long "do as commanded or else".

[@sbwetherbe]

This brings up for me the disparities between what Paul emphasized and what Jesus emphasized.

[@MusicalRaichu]

the difference in emphasis is understandable. Jesus was talking predominantly to Jews. Paul had to deal with the reality that non-Jews were coming to living faith in Israel's God without first becoming Jews while most Jews were rejecting the gospel.

[@Truth-Is-a-Hard-Pill]

@@MusicalRaichu The difference is understandable because Paul is the f3r0c10us w0lf in she-ep's clo-thi-ng whom Jesus wa-rn-ed about. Could you address the points I made from the preaching and practice of Jesus of the Bible. I hope you didn't disregard those points deliberately.

[@Truth-Is-a-Hard-Pill]

@@MusicalRaichu Thanks to Paul of the Bible, the Christian FAITH professing to love and honor Jesus actually h-e-a-p-s the gr-ea-te-st I-N-S-U-L-T-S on Jesus of the Bible. The Bible testifies. What a masterstroke by Paul with the DE_V-I-L'S Gospel aka "My Gospel" which he was so desperate to preach.

[@shuttlemanjack]

"Convert or DIE"?

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Paul and Jesus apparently held similar views about the accumulation of wealth (they strongly opposed it), and for me this is the crux of the matter,

[@aprylvanryn5898]

The story of where "getting on your soap box" comes from is really interesting. It's definitely worth looking into if you don't know.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Everybody knows.

[@terryfox9344]

As a person who tries to follow the Jewish rabbi from Nazareth, and is also politically conservative, I thought that Bart did a very fair job in expounding Jesus' teachings and comparing them to at least what I perceive to be the teachings of modern so-called "fundamentalism".

[@John.Flower.Productions]

_"Surely they know what he said about loving the enemy and the foreigner? Why do they claim that Jesus said things he never, actually, talked about (many of the most pressing social questions fundamentalists are keen on)?"_ What did Jesus supposedly say about _"loving the foreigner?"_

[@adamcosper3308]

I honestly can't understand how modern conservatism has anything to do with the teachings of Jesus.

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

@terryfox9344 "As a person who tries to follow the Jewish Rabbi from Nazareth......." The following comes to you with love and respect. I invite you to the preaching and practice of Messiah Jesus. Let's reason together. Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslim????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@dmann1115]

@@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow Excuse me, but where exactly did Jesus ever "preach" that capital punishment was necessary? Not to mention a few other things listed here?

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

@@dmann1115 Why don't you start from the subject of God? You evaded the most important subject according to Jesus of the Bible.

[@jasonjenkins7295]

Another great show. I look forward to this every week.

[@ismailatiamiyuabdulsalam9496]

Another interesting and enlightening piece from our renowned scholar, Dr. Bart Ehrman ❤

[@Yanman93]

Bart you are a breath of fresh air and reason in my life!

[@bradfordlane4129]

This is exactly what i was thinking! I cant wait to read your book! 😊

[@claytongardinier5179]

Love your current soap box. Everyone is an expert and just don't know what they don't know.

[@sethyarborough356]

Another great episode!

[@bman6502]

Very few people who say they believe do not follow the teachings of Jesus.. Jesus said to give up your possessions and go serve the homeless and poor… most religious people want the homeless removed from their towns…

[@Truth-Is-a-Hard-Pill]

Do you realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslim????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@Charles-js3ri]

Dang. I've only heard his voice or read some of his work. For 68 he's aging pretty well. This man does wonderful work hopefully we have him for 30 more years.

[@jeffbenelli6999]

Really appreciate these. Thank you.

[@juditrotter5176]

When I visited Israel and went to the Beatitudes Park. Each Beatitude was engraved on pavers that lead your way. This is the biggest hit of external energy I experienced on this trip. My previous experience of energy was at Pearl Harbor when I was on the USS Arizona.

[@motherofcatsnz]

Re Memory. My sister, when she wants to win an argument or make a point, has very clear memories of events or happenings that I and my cousins who were present have no memory of. Her current "memory" is that she is allergic to bananas (drop dead, hospital visit allergic). Both my grandmother and mother made the most delicious banana cake which everyone in the family consumed, including my sister. My thought is that memory is what we want to remember for a reason?

[@CornishMiner]

Great episode.

[@elliottbest622]

This was absolutely fantastic discussion. Enlightening and frank. Thank you Megan and Bart for a truly illuminating discussion. Robert from Toronto Canada

[@kimberleylangford5536]

Along with Prosperity Gospel comes parishioners selling MLM products, and endorsing Angel funds (loans) for Christian small business owners during the church service! I went to a church like this, and the message was more about making money, money, money. It was sickening!

[@darrellmarshall-uj2lc]

Excellent episode.

[@elliottbest622]

Hi Bart and Megan! This was for me one of the best, most interesting, most enlightening webinars you have ever done absolutely fascinating Dr. Bart! Wholeheartedly agree with you. The thing I love about watching your webcast is you’ve given me such a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, in a strange way, I feel closer to Jesus than I ever have before.

[@endlesskev]

I really like the ‘skeptic face’ in your description of Dr Ehrman’s course.

[@justjukka]

THANK YOU for this week's soap box!

[@Dizzinator2114]

I’ll come back to this

[@deleon9111]

Great episode highlighted with a great end-of-episode rant. As always, well done!

[@DneilB007]

Which one? I counted two Bart rants at the end of the video-one about not doing the work before writing and one about how the Prosperity Gospel movement is completely antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. Both were quite well done, from where I sit. ✌️

[@deleon9111]

I was speaking of the "official" rant. But the "don't call yourself a Christian" rant was well done (and well deserved), too 🙂@@DneilB007

[@LetsReconnect]

@@deleon9111 he’s such a prophet! 🤣

[@MossyMozart]

@@LetsReconnect - Dr Ehrman is NOT a prophet; he will be the very first to say so. However, I find him to be clear-eyed, logical, and to have a wide breadth of knowledge of the Bible, the age, and of other belief systems. he is excellent at comparing and contrasting.

[@LetsReconnect]

@@MossyMozart I’m not putting him on a pedestal if that’s what you think. A prophet is not afraid to say what he sees and hold a mirror up to people. It’s a thankless task as put yourself in the firing line. I think that pretty much describes Bart.

[@WestCoastProf]

I believe that you have finally struck the heart of "misquoting Jesus". Like so many, a quick read of the New Testament destroyed my faith and drove me away from fundamentalism.

[@julianmcmillan2867]

As an atheist and former fundamentalist, during my deconstruction, I've come to understand alot of the positive aspects of the Christian message via seeing everything that it is not; fundamentalism, evangelism, Christian nationalism, etc.

[@mlthornton1]

Could it be rather be the message went against with your own preferences?

[@lauraharris3577]

​@@julianmcmillan2867Fundamentalism has made atheists of many! Atheism is the holding place. But it gets way more interesting as the cleansing work of atheism is completed. There's more, so much more waiting

[@constpegasus]

Love these episodes 🎉

[@randydickson8467]

Great podcast Megan and Bart!! This subject is so relevant today.

[@bartdehrman]

Thanks for watching! - Social Media Team

[@user-lh7pu5dl7c]

IMHO The most important ethical teaching of Jesus: Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.” Using judgmental or critical language about others or their actions: Doing so plants feelings of isolation, fear, resentment, tribalism, and hurtful feelings and justifies destructive action. When judgmental language is removed from your life, you are able to love your neighbor as yourself, you able to forgive the trespasses of others, you don’t covet, you’re slow to anger, happy to be a peacemaker and so many other ethical attitudes. Tom R.

[@colinwood1337]

I’ve never understood this line of reasoning. How can anything be valued unless you make a judgement about it being of more value than something else? Didn’t Jesus judge people? Doesn’t God?

[@sirrevzalot]

@@colinwood1337I’m with you. Perhaps (and I don’t know) there’s a semantic issue at work in the word judge, but I’m spitballing. At face value, the moralism makes no sense. It reads more like, “Don’t think and you won’t be thought of.”

[@user-lh7pu5dl7c]

@colinwood1337, @colinwood1337 Thanks for your responses. And of course, you are correct there is a semantic component involved. I don't think Jesus is concerned with statements like "I judge this soup is too salty" or this "This dog is too fat". Instead, I believe He was talking about imposing your own morality on another. I believe this was quite a radical departure for his time (and today’s time as well.) I grew up being told "Tommy, you should be more like you brother", “You can try harder”, and "Don't be so negative". Note the very judgmental language and tone. To a small child they were belittling and dismissive. So of course, I used these terms (and their attendant attitudes) quite liberally with family, coworkers, and friends most of my life. And I continued to apply them to my own self. Understandably, this made for many frustrating, shallow, and unconnected relationships. Through a process of therapy and self discovery, I have since committed to not allowing judgmental language used on me, and in fairness, not using judgmental language myself. I started by identifying judgmental language. Words like "Stupid", "Sh*tty", "Worthless" are obviously hurtful and denigrating. Now consider words such as "Should", "Important", and even "Good". These all can be construed as judgmental, given their context. Using language of this sort, IMHO, short circuits the usefulness of communication, by making it imprecise and subjecting to my world-view instead of respecting another’s. When I make conscious effort to make myself aware of the language I use, I am more aware I’m “walking a mile in someone’s moccasins.”

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

​@@user-lh7pu5dl7c The following comes to you with love and respect: I can see from your comment that the preaching and practice of Jesus of the Bible is of interest to you. That's fantastic. Let's reason together. Jesus reasoned. Won't you reason? Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslims???? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@sirrevzalot]

@@user-lh7pu5dl7c Beautifully expressed 👍

[@LetsReconnect]

After a week of being hounded in my comment section by a zealot apologist I really appreciate this title. 😃🙌🙏🏼👍

[@rogeriopenna9014]

To many new atheists, Bart Ehrman is also an apologist, because he is not a mythicist

[@sirrevzalot]

Uhh, no. I’m pretty sure to many atheists *Dr.* Ehrman is an expert in religious studies and history. Kindly refrain from projecting your position onto others and all will be well.

[@rogeriopenna9014]

@@sirrevzalot projecting my position? I am an atheist and I am NOT a mythicist. Also I said to MANY New Atheists. Not to all. Also I said NEW Atheists, not atheists in general. Google for the term for what it specifically means. And more than that, I am speaking from experience debating hundreds of fellow atheists on Quora atheists groups, many many of which ARE mythicists and called Dr Ehrman an apologist

[@sirrevzalot]

@@rogeriopenna9014 Claims without evidence can be dismissed without evidence, yah? I don’t care who you say you’ve debated or who you claim called him an apologist. The notion is laughable. That’s all I have to say other than I’m glad you’re not living under the tyranny of religion. It’s good to be free of that.

[@rogeriopenna9014]

@@sirrevzalot well, I fully agree. Bart Ehrman is awesome and he has the evidence to back it up. But many of these mythicists don't understand how the field of history works and demand evidence like "contemporary sources" It doesn't matter to them if you say that Spartacus, Hannibal Barca, Rollo, Buddha, Mohamed, Leif Erikson, ask the first Merovingian kinda, Athelstan, etc, ALL lack contemporary sources. They still claim Jesus is a myth on the sense there is no historical Jesus and he was invented from scratch by the romans or something like that. The mythicist position IS popular among New Atheists, you just need to check Quora or KZbin videos about it. Or even check videos of Dr Ehrman debating mythicists. Also, check the blog "History for Atheists" , made by an atheist who is from the field is history.

[@xwing2417]

I like your glasses Megan, bringing fun wherever you go, I'm sure. This topic is not something I ever thought to ask, thank you both.

[@doneestoner9945]

Yea. They are real cool.

[@ramieal-hazar2438]

They’re cringe pick me

[@rsfaeges5298]

Loved this episode.

[@anthonycraig274]

I don’t know what following Jesus really means. We don’t know what Jesus really said. If you mean, everyone should be excellent to one another, evangelicals don’t subscribe to that unless they believe exactly what they believe.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

_"We don’t know what Jesus really said."_ Why would you believe that Jesus was a proponent of _"everyone should be excellent to one another?"_ Is that the sort of message that would have caused him to be executed?

[@littlebitofhope1489]

It is impossible to be a "Prince of Peace" when everything you say has the threat of eternal torture attached to it.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

@@littlebitofhope1489 _'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.'_ Do you want to guess, who is quoted in the New Testament as having said that?

[@anthonycraig274]

@@John.Flower.Productions excused for what exactly.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

@@anthonycraig274 _Is that the sort of message that would have caused him to be_ *executed?*

[@biedl86]

Thanks a lot dear Editor for normalizing the audio levels!

[@rdklkje13]

Amazing writing skills Bart describes there!I I have been wondering how on earth he has produced, and continues to produce, everything he publishes.

[@rogerparkhurst5796]

I agree with the rant. For me it is a life time of reading and studying and peruse bibliography’s to gain ideas for new sources to read as reference and conformation of facts stated and usually new In depth insights unexpected. My challenge would when to stop reading and start writing and working through personal thoughts, usually with outlines and essays to myself first to make sure I have captured my thoughts accurately in my writings. Since I am not a prolific writer with a mastery of the English language, I have to work harder. But I do enjoy the process I have to use while envious of the skills you’ve acquired. Keep being a mentor!

[@nigelmansfield3011]

I love your glasses!

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Jesus is a collection of stories written by different people at different times and professionally rewritten and edited into a single volume that offered a different Jesus for all the different people who read the stories and found them compelling. That's how people come to believe in something, by reading a good yarn and deciding it was the truth. That's all it is.

[@lauraharris3577]

Then why would you listen to Bart Ehrman? That's not at all what he says. He may be an "agnostic atheist", but he reveals the richness of the gospels rather than stripping them of meaning.

[@randyallen2966]

Well put

[@leighs.9463]

Cool glasses frames!

[@elliottbest622]

❤❤ and yes Megan I agree that was a really good rant this week from Dr. Bart G maybe I can write a book too!!! So funny 😎❤️🌸

[@rogerparkhurst5796]

The U.S. in general is welcoming to ‘outsiders.’ Not to be confused with an economic responsibility , not to go bankrupt to accommodate acceptance everyone regardless.

[@DrWolves]

THIS is the best question ever.

[@ellenyoung9223]

Bart was on fire in this one! ❤

[@pagandeva2000]

Oh, God, Megan…LOVE the glasses!!

[@J0ELLEx]

Megan's interesting glasses frames feel like they should be distracting me but it's helping me focus lmao

[@MagicofAramis]

Is there a group of some kind which tracks Megan's glasses and rates them? If there is I would like to cast my vote for this pair as #1. She has top notch eyewear game!

[@Mapenzi2635]

Prof . I admire you mental strengths. You can write 40,000 words a day after your literature review. Thank God for that .

[@Boxerr54]

I love the fun dam mental breakdown of the word. Ha!

[@Sirrus-Adam]

Yes, when Jesus says "neighbor" he means our fellow human beings. Also, when he says "in the kingdom of heaven, all are equally the sons and daughters of God" he means everyone (regardless of any labels).

[@BeesWaxMinder]

DIG ya Glasses! This will be a fascinating AND TIMELY book👍

[@slay2525]

Not crazy about the specs, but Megan definitely rocks them.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@slay2525 😉

[@ScienceSideUp]

A great book on the history of the prosperity gospel is "Blessed" by Kate Bowler.

[@1daddyDA]

Brilliant. Love the book.

[@penny459]

Excellent episode, Bart really bought out the true teachings of Jesus, more truthful than most of the prosperity gospel peddlers and of which I have been a victim of earlier in my Christian walk and couldnt help smiling watching this video because for a while there it seemed I was listening to a preacher!! Ive been a fundamentalist Christian in my life. Boy have my views changed in the last two to three years listening to Bart. Bart has bought a challenging honesty to the scriptures which has left me still a believer, albeit in quite a different form than most Bible believing Christians at the church I attend.

[@Bjl1976]

I think the overarching reality is that there are wonderfully loving fundamentalist just as there are wonderfullly loving Muslims, hindus, and even atheists that all actually take the teachings of Jesus or Muhammed etc into their personal lives. However as Bart explained fundamentalist view or ideolgy on the whole really does not reflect alot of what Jesus taught. I see alot of Christians arguing on these comment boards either with Non Christians and often with eachother in abrasive fashion about the disagreement to whatever topic. I see them tell Non believers that they are going to hell in a way that seems to give them pleasure in saying it. That type of thing is not at all coming from a place of love but rather arrogant judgement in my opinion. Of course I dint believe these to be the loving individuals that I mentioned previously

[@brianoverland5474]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen, and about the best discussion of Jesus' teachings ever... even though I think much of it ought to be obvious to anyone who sits down and reads the New Testament for themselves. The problem is, however, is that people DON'T do that, but rely on what their preacher said that the New Testament is about. I love Bart's discussion here, It is so strongly backed up by the N.T. itself. Some teachings of Jesus (did he claim to be God or not?) are more controversial, as sometimes he says he's God sometimes he doesn't. But I so strongly agree with Prof. Erhman that there really shouldn't be much doubt concerning Jesus' ethical teachings. He's pretty consistent on those. Great job, Bart and Megan!!!

[@Truth.is.Bitter]

"..... sometimes he says he's God" Could you please quote. Kindly start with your best one where he himself says he's "God". Jesus never claimed to be "God" . Jesus never said what he had no right to say. I'm giving you the ex-pl-ic-it, unambiguous, clear-cut, razor-sharp, without any room for multiple interpretations or imagination somersaults or mental gymnastics or conjecture contortions of this means that and that means this and left means right and black means white and day means night preaching and practice of Jesus of the Bible. The pa-ga-ns made him God as the message never meant for the G3nt1l3s was taken to the G3nt1l3s by Paul the f3r0c10us w0lf in she-ep's clo-thi-ng whom Jesus wa-rn-ed about. Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslim????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@patty4349]

The issue I have with the anti-abortion movement is that the only way they accept to solve the problem is to take over the government, make abortion illegal, and then vigorously enforce the laws, even at tne cost of our constitutional rights and protections. Actually decreasing abortion by providing birth control, decreasing the cost of delivery and the medical costs of raising children as well as decreasing the absolutely insane cost of childcare would take a huge bite out of abortions. I also think it is not a coincidence that the judicial philosophy of those judges and justices who feel that Roe was an error also generally think that the rights of individuals in general has been vastly overstated. They favor the rights of businesses and oppose regulations that affect businesses. They think that laws to counter racial or gender disparities are an unfair burden.

[@RandiRain]

Amen brother Bart! 😉😉

[@doneestoner9945]

Funny how Bart laughs a lot. Makes me love him even more.

[@EdwardAveyard]

I'm interested in the series that looks at both the Bible and the Quran. Whoever is doing the Quran side is a very brave man.

[@thezieg]

Very helpful discussion for this אֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס

[@RobertKaucher]

2 weeks?! Bart is the Brandon Sanderson of biblical studies!

[@clifb.3521]

LOVE Megan’s glasses

[@kencusick6311]

Way back when I was school, it took the first two months of work in any semester to figure out the question I wanted to investigate. Speaking of the Book of Job; I did a game theory analysis of the book of Job as part of a larger Game Theory paper. It was a lot of fun.

[@MichaelYoder1961]

Always a great discussion. Thanks, Megan and Bart! If Jesus came back today, he wouldn't recognize ANY form of Christianity.

[@TruthIsABitterPillToSwallow]

He will recognize a certain group of people: Do YOU realize that the ONLY people on the face of the earth who practice and uphold and preach and defend the doctrine and honor of Jesus OF THE BIBLE are the Muslim????? It's an amazing situation really. On each and every fundamental doctrine, Christianity (overwhelming) is AGAINST Jesus of their very own scriptures BUT the Muslim is calling the Christians to go by what Jesus precticed and preached. 🤗 👉 Jesus gave the Trinity-DESTROYING testimony that THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD but the Christians (overwhelming) testify that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (The Trinity) is the true God. 👉 John 4:21-22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, *WORSHIP THE FATHER* . Ye worship ye know not what: *WE* know what *WE WORSHIP* : for salvation is of the Jews. Have another look: *WE WORSHIP* (The J-E-W na-ti-on INCLUDING ME - Jesus) 👉 “And this is life eternal, that they might know *YOU THE ONLY TRUE GOD* , and Jesus Christ, whom *YOU* have sent.” John 17:3 👉 John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, ...I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and TO MY GOD, AND YOUR GOD.” Have another look! ".... *TO MY GOD and YOUR GOD* " ME and YOU 👉 *WE* *WE WORSHIP* THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER who is THE GOD OF ME (Jesus) and YOU 👉 *OUR GOD* 👉 And Jesus answered him, THE FIRST OF ALL the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord *OUR GOD* is one Lord Mark 12:29 👉 Jesus teaches: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and *HIM ONLY* shalt thou serve” Luke 4:8. Notice the words: “HIM ONLY.” Jesus did not say “US only,” or “Him and I only.” How could he possibly i it more clear than that? Jesus told to worship ONLY THE FATHER - who is THE GOD of Jesus too. 👉 NEVER preached about Original Sin 👉 NEVER preached that for salvation, people needed to believe that Jesus died (will die) for their sins 👉 NEVER preached that the wages of sins is death 👉 PREACHED that for the forgiveness - NO payment needed, NO sacrifice of Jesus, NO Jesus paid for us 👉 PREACHED that just turn away in sincere repentance and the Merciful God forgives 👉 PREACHED adherence to the comprehensive Law Code as the path to salvation 👉 PREACHED that for certain transgression (like mur-der) on the Law Code, CAPITAL punishment - PUTTING the transgressors to DE ATH - needed to be administered 👉 PREACHED that his followers SHALL IN NO WAY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN if they do not keep the comprehensive Law Code even better and moreso than the Scribes and the Pharisees 👉 DID NOT eat p.i.g 👉 FASTED and PREACHED FASTING 👉 Greeted with the phrase "peace be with you" 👉 Jesus was CIRCUMCISED. AN EVERLASTING COVENANT IN FLESH for the believers till the end of times 👉 PREACHED that his followers follow the comprehensive Law Code which the Scribes and the Pharisees tell people to follow - that includes oblution / washing of the hands and feet before worship or entering a place of worship Of course the term the Father in the Jewish context. NOT that God has a Son.

[@Plethorality]

Not if they can help it. Pastors do their best to make sure they dont.

[@theresadelaney3255]

Abortion was so accepted during Colonial America that Benjamin Franklin put an abortion recipe in his math text book.

[@Bob94390]

People who try to do as commanded in the Fable, will of course be locked up for life time. Here are some excuses for not following the Fable: - "It is symbolic" - "It is written for other circumstances" - "Our creed has evolved since then" - "The bible was written by humans" - "You have to study Greek, Hebrew and Latin to understand what the bible says" - "Some other place the bible says something different" - "You don't understand" - "You have to become a Christian in order to understand this" - "The bible also says that we shall obey the authorities" and so on and so on

[@jps0117]

The last segment reminds me of when David Letterman used to ask Jay Leno "What's Your Beef?" :)

[@Music-wu5de]

Here's an example of how modern Christians actions are consistent with Jesus words: Matthew 26:11 says "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me." And so, if you believe that then you will not act in any way to eliminate poverty.

[@timschantz3233]

I've done the research. I've got one fringe study and two anecdotes.

[@gregczarlinski2811]

Please do an episode on the history of the Old Testament. Thank you

[@ChrisSmith-tl4qf]

Bart was in his bag tonight yo ✌️

[@lukemaas6747]

Are Megan's frames in the merch?

[@FBDAGM2023]

I love the way Bart loves his own jokes.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I don’t think he considers himself to be inventing jokes. He’s laughing at the facts as they lay.

[@alf6245]

Memory: I have a very clear childhood memory of my baby brother running towards me in the snow looking up at me as I take a photo, the photo exists in our family album. Only thing is, I would have been about 6 years old and the I wouldn’t have been tall enough to view it at that angle and at 6 years old I wouldn’t have known how to use a camera.

[@christianmalone3495]

Can I just say Megan's glasses are really cool looking?

[@greglogan7706]

DAMN!!! Ehrman donning is preaching vest and marching right up into the pulpit - still that fundy fire in him!!!

[@Plethorality]

They use Jesus as a brand name, and the cross as a logo, then Paul and Leviticus as it suits them.. and to refute Jesus.

[@Truth.is.Bitter]

You've made a very interesting comment. I'm confident that you'll be intrigued by the following. Jesus said that those who love him follow his preaching and practice. 1) Jesus: ✅ THE FATHER (SINGLE PERSON) IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD. John 17:3. (The Muslim agrees with Jesus) Christians: ❌ NO. The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Triune-God / Godhead / The Trinity / One God in three persons or whatever you want to call it) is the true God. 2) Jesus: ✅NO payment needed, NO Jesus died for us. Just repent sincerely and the Merciful God (THE ONLY TRUE GOD - THE FATHER) forgives. (The Muslim agrees with Jesus) Christians: ❌ NO. Salvation comes by the blood of Jesus and his dying on the cross 3) Jesus: ✅ Keep the Laws and the commandments if you want eternal life (The Muslim agrees with Jesus) Christians: ❌ NO. Eternal life comes by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus 4) Jesus: ✅ Do NOT neglect even the smallest laws (The Muslim agrees with Jesus) Christians: ❌ NO. Those laws are unimportant 5) Jesus: ✅ I was sent ONLY for the lost sheep of Israel (The Muslim agrees with Jesus) Christians: ❌ NO. Jesus came for us all, Jesus came for all of mankind

[@edwardgrabczewski]

Some great points by Bart about Jesus's teaching. I was reflecting on the faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Some believe that Moses spoke to God or that Muhammad heard God through Gabriel, but did God ever verbally communicate with Jesus directly?

[@danamiles2071]

I lived in Israel a little over50 years ago when just out of high school. I lived on a kibbutz and studied Hebrew in an ulpan. I kept a daily diary about what I did, where I went, who I met, etc. On the 50th year anniversary I started to read my diary every day. Each day from 50 years previous. And I was amazed at the things I'd forgotten. Or the things I recalled that were not accurate. And it was all stuff that I did. Not second hand information from someone's experiences. So it made me realize that writing the Gospels so many years later by people who didn't even experience life with Jesus is perhaps not the best and most accurate way of recording what Jesus said and did himself.

[@donaldemilson1330]

Thank you Dr. Ehrman and Lewis: your videos are always insightful! I look forward to read Dr. Ehrman's new book when it will be published and learn in more detail his opinion about Jesus' ethics. With specific regard to Jesus' position on nationalism, I would really like to know Dr. Ehrman's opinion on: (1) the episode of the woman met by Jesus in the vicinity of Tyre, reported in the Gospels of Mark (7:24-30) and Matthew (15:21-28); (2) the relationship between Jesus (and his early followers) and the Zealots. I remember that Dr. Ehrman addressed this topic in one of his most recent books (i.e., Jesus before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the Savior (HarperCollins, 2016)), where he mentioned, among others, Reza Aslan's book (Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (New York: Random House, 2013)). However, given the complexity of the subject matter, I would surely appreciate to read more about this: after all, repetita iuvant : ) Here in this community, has anyone any thoughts on the two aforementioned points and would like to share his/her/their opinion on them or suggest any book or essay that addresses such issues? If yes, thank you all in advance (and don't worry re. Dr. Ehrman's soapbox: I have no intention whatsoever to write a book ; )