Bart D. Ehrman
Unfortunately, we have fraudulent experts in every field, including Biblical Studies.
One tool they use is Circular Reasoning; it goes like this:
Step 1. Define fundamentalism as a belief the Bible is literally true;
Step 2. Later decry that belief in the Bible is so stupid that only rabid fundamentalist hold onto it – everyone else is more enlightened.
Such is not true scholarship, not an honest evaluation of facts, and not good journalism.
Here’s an example – an article in the Huffington Post by Bart Ehrman, the “Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina” on March 25, 2011.
Professor Ehrman claims everyone knows, except “Rabid Fundamentalists”, that many biblical writings were, actually, written by someone other than the ascribed author. What people like Mr. Ehrman won’t tell you is that the early church went through an intense process of including only writings that could be verified as authentic. That’s why other writings, such as the Gospel of Thomas, were excluded.
I’ve encountered professors and “scholars” like this before. They only present ONE side of their theories, present them as facts, and claim anyone who disagrees is a “rabid fundamentalist”. They expect their titles and positions to give authenticity to what they say, not the facts.
Stick with the Bible. It will prove true in every instance.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4:16
Of course, this is the opinion of a rabid fundamentalist. (grin)
Today’s Sound Bite comes from the Rev. Garret Crepon in 1974, my United Methodist pastor at Southwestern University, “Hold on to the Bible, it will get you out of every problem it gets you into!”
-fritz
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 