Bart D. Ehrman is everywhere these days. For those who remain interested in his thoughts on whether or not Jesus of Nazareth was a person who existed here are two more interviews:
NPR, “‘Did Jesus Exist?’ A Historian Makes His Case”
Homebrewed Christianity, “Bart Ehrman on Jesus’ Existence, Apocalyticism, and Holy Week”
thanks for the link love!
You’re welcome!
Ehrman seems to be taking the tactics of the mostly, now, defunct Jesus Seminary; making an appeal to the naive populace. That says something about the man or the movement. No doubt, Ehrman has his credentials and tenure; but if all you can do is appeal to the people, then what good are the credentials?
Ehrman is embarrassed by the Jesus’ Mythicists, with whom he otherwise shares common cause, in the same way that either political party in America would be embarrassed to have Flat-Earthers discovered in its ranks. His fundamental point – which is the same as the Mythicists’ fundamental point – remains that faith in Jesus Christ is unwarranted. The purpose of this book is to distance himself from the mythicists so that he might retain the aura of respectability with mainstream society for his views.
Even so, it’s better for the cause of Christ that he wrote this book than if he didn’t.