"With respect to Jesus, we have numerous, independent accounts of his life in the sources lying behind the Gospels (and the writings of Paul) — sources that originated in Jesus’ native tongue Aramaic and that can be dated to within just a year or two of his life (before the religion moved to convert pagans in droves). Historical sources like that are pretty astounding for an ancient figure of any kind. [...] the claim that Jesus was simply made up falters on every ground."

—Bart Ehrman
Excerpt from this article.
Bart Ehrman is an agnostic scholar whose writings frequently attack Christianity and its truth claims. For resources answering Ehrman's claims, click here.

A June 3rd article that appeared on Christianpost contained an interview with Dr. Bart Ehrman who is a noted author and professor of religion. Ehrman is most famous for his criticisms of the New Testament’s reliability, with various books he’s produced on the topic reaching the top of certain best seller lists.

The Christianpost interview focused on his skepticism of the New Testament, with very predictable results occurring in the reader comments that followed. Atheists and skeptics high-fived each other, reveling in the fact that they had a credible champion who fuels their hope that the Bible cannot be trusted, while some believers cast disparaging remarks at Ehrman saying he’s not worth listening to.

Both sides need to step back from their rhetoric.

Atheists who believe Bart fully sides with them may be surprised to learn what he does support on the topic of Jesus (and what that foundation points to). And Christians who call into question Ehrman’s intelligence or skill should understand that he is indeed a very smart and well-trained scholar who deserves respect.

Here's a good listen: Peter J. Williams critiques Bart Ehrman's book Misquoting Jesus. If you are interested in New Testament studies, this MP3 audio will be worth your time. You'll hear more about Ehrman, the claims he makes, as well as a fine critique.

Enjoy.

Be sure to visit bethinking.org for other great resources.

(audio quality starts patchy, but clears up after the intro)

Here is a scholarly dialogue on the origins, the transmission, and the reliability of the New Testament. Do we have the original manuscripts? Can we trust the copies passed down to us? How accurate is our New Testament today? Daniel B. Wallace and Bart Ehrman discuss the topic: Is The Original New Testament Lost? Q&A follows the discussion. Video can be found on YouTube here. See also the great website The Ehrman Project for more great resources.

Full Debate MP3 Audio here. (2 hr)
Enjoy.

On January 19 & 20, 2012, New Testament scholars Craig Evans and Bart Ehrman took part in two debate/dialogues on the topic: Does the New Testament present a reliable portrait of the Historical Jesus? Both videos are available on YouTube (night one and night two). The first night was at St. Mary’s University and the second night was at Acadia University. Audio of both debates can be downloaded using links below. Debates sponsored by ReligionSoup. (You may also want to check out their previous March 30th, 2010 debate on the topic: Does the New Testament Misquote Jesus?)

• Evans & Ehrman - January 19 Debate MP3 (2hr 16min)
• Evans & Ehrman - January 20 Debate MP3 (2hr)

Enjoy.

In his book, God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question—Why We Suffer, Bart Ehrman makes the case that neither Christians nor the Bible can answer why God, if He were to exist, would allow “the cesspool of misery and suffering” that many people endure. Ehrman says he couldn’t reconcile his faith with horrendous evils, and his book presents the reasons why.

Clay Jones, Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, offers a multi-part critique of Ehrman's book. Find links to the "Ehrman's Problem" posts here:

• Problem 1: He Misreads the Bible and Impugns God’s Fairness
• Problem 2: Free Will and Natural Evil
• Problem 3: God Could Have Made Us So We'd Always Do Right
• Problem 4: Why Won't We Abuse Free Will In Heaven?
• Problem 5: God Should Intervene More To Prevent Free Will's Evil Use
• Problem 6: He’s Confused About the Free Will Defense
• Problem 7: The "Classical View" and the Holocaust
• Problem 8: The Strawman
• Problem 9: He Minimizes the Horror of Sin
• Problem 10: Special Pleading

Enjoy.

In this debate at Gordon College on Thursday, November 11, 2010, Dinesh D'Souza and Bart Ehrman debate the topic of: Theodicy, God and Suffering. Did Ehrman's objections carry weight? Did D'Souza provide adequate answers?

Original video can be found here.
Full Debate MP3 Audio here (1hr 42min)

Enjoy.

This week on the Issues, Etc. radio program (podcast), Todd Wilken interviewed Bart Ehrman about his recent book Forged, in which Ehrman claims many of the New Testament documents are forgeries. Following the interview, Todd interviewed apologist John Warwick Montgomery for his critique of Ehrman's claims. Both interviews were excellent and can be found in the Issues, Etc. On Demand Archive (part 1, part 2). However, for those who would like to listen back to back without all the extra commercial breaks, listen this audio:

Interview and Critique of Bart Ehrman's Forgery Theory MP3 (73min)

Enjoy.

Dr. Bart Ehrman has raised significant questions about the reliability of the Bible. In an engaging way, he is questioning the credibility of Christianity. His arguments are not new, which he readily admits. Numerous Biblical scholars profoundly disagree with his findings. The Ehrman Project website provides responses to Dr. Ehrman's provocative conclusions.

Check it out here.

Other Bart Ehrman resources here.

Also, Peter J. Williams makes a good observation in the comments at Evangelical Textual Criticism.

In this lecture, William Lane Craig gives an overview and analysis of textual critic Bart Ehrman's objections to Christianity. A very helpful talk addressing Ehrman's misuse of historical criteria for authenticity, and other flaws in Ehrman's approach. Original audio at reasonablefaith.org here.

Full MP3 Audio here. (1 hr)

Enjoy.

Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Bart Ehrman debate the topic: Does the Bible Provide an Adequate Answer to the Problem of Suffering? at Ohio State University on April 15, 2010. More information about this debate can be found at the debate website.

Full Debate MP3 Audio here. (2 hr 10 min)

Listen.

For some books dealing with the problem of suffering:

The Problem of Pain - C.S. Lewis
The Many Faces of Evil - John Feinberg
When God Weeps - Joni Eareckson Tada & Steven Estes
The End of Christianity: Finding a Good God in an Evil World - William Dembski

This is the March 31, 2010 debate between two prominent New Testament scholars: Dr. Dr. Craig Evans and Dr. Bart Ehrman (specific debate info and bios here) on the topic: Does the New Testament Misquote Jesus? The format revolves around 7 critical questions on the topic, with each participant providing their prepared answers. Wintery Knight has his overview of the debate here. Video can be found here.

Full Debate MP3 Audio here. (90 minutes)

Enjoy.

More Bart Ehrman debates and responses here.

Dr. Phil Fernandes defends the true Jesus of history and the veracity of the Bible. He refutes the claims of scholars, such as Bart Ehrman, who use well-known New Testament manuscript variants and controversial verses as an excuse to reject all biblical texts. Original video at the Institute of Biblical Defense.

Full MP3 Audio here.

Enjoy.

Find over 400 apologetics audios by Dr. Fernandes here.
Dr. Fernandes' books can be found here.

Michael Licona debates Bart Ehrman on the topic: Can historians really prove Jesus rose from the dead? This is their second debate (first debate here) on the resurrection. Videos here.

Full MP3 Audio here.

Enjoy.

You may also enjoy William Lane Craig vs. Bart Ehrman here or James White vs. Bart Ehrman here.

Here is a high quality video interview with New Testament scholar Mike Licona discussing the work of Bart Ehrman. From 4truth.net:

Bart Ehrman is perhaps the most influential skeptical New Testament scholar in North America. Several of Ehrman's books have become standard textbooks in many universities. His skepticism is not well-founded, however. This interview features New Testament scholar Mike Licona who answers a number of Ehrman's major contentions.

Apologetics 315 provides this as a full MP3 Audio file here. (47 minutes)
Videos here. Lots of Licona debates here.

Enjoy.

Dr. Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, discusses the historical Jesus and the reliability of the New Testament documents. This is from the CPX (Centre for Public Christianity), an Australian organization with lots of apologetics media resources. Get this particular podcast here in iTunes or non-iTunes.

Full MP3 Audio here. (27 min)

Enjoy.

New Testament scholar Ben Witherington (blog, wiki) has an insightful look at Bart Ehrman's book Jesus Interrupted. His detailed analysis is worth reading; in five parts:

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Enjoy.

Bart Ehrman debates James White on Did the Bible Misquote Jesus? This an interesting debate between two excellent scholars who come to two very different conclusions. Full MP3 audio can be purchased here. If you have been looking forward to the debate, this is well worth the $6. CDs are also available.

White's post-debate report of the debate is HERE, which is a good listen. Here is part 2 of White's review of the debate.

Transcript of the debate in PDF here.

Enjoy.

Here are a number of good debates that Michael Licona has had with prominent atheists, agnostics, and Muslim scholars.

Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead?
Mike Licona vs. Bart Ehrman MP3 | Video

Debate: On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Mike Licona vs. Richard Carrier MP3 | Video

Debate: Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?
Mike Licona vs. Dan Barker MP3 | Video

What Was the 1st Century Fate of Jesus?
Mike Licona vs. Ali Ataie MP3 | Video

Christianity and Islam - Did Jesus Rise?
Mike Licona vs. Shabir Ally MP3 | Video

Enjoy.

The other day Challies mentioned William H. Willimon's review of Bart Ehrman's book God's Problem that is worth the read.

"While reading God's Problem, I kept asking myself, why bother? There are no new insights or discoveries here . . . Ehrman proves the dictum that old fundamentalists never die; they just exchange fundamentals and continue in their unimaginative, closed-minded rigidity and simplicity."

Find the full review here.