QUESTION:
I’ve enjoyed reading “Jesus Interrupted” and “Misquoting Jesus”. I am also listening to two of The Teaching Company courses you recorded – “The New Testament” and “Lost Christianities”. Here is my question: Can you suggest additional books by other authors that provide balanced information on the New Testament? Such a bibliography would be a nice addition to your web site.
RESPONSE:
Ah yes! It’s important to hear various (balanced) views. I tell my students this and they sometimes are surprised, since they think that I imagine that my view is the only one worth hearing! But in my textbook on the New Testament (The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings) I provide suggestions for further reading at the end of each of the thirty chapters, for each relevant topic. I include, in virtually every chapter, an important book that I completely disagree with. Students, of every age, should get a range of perspective, weigh evidence, and make a decision for themselves.
In addition to my own textbook I would recommend two others for starters…..
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JUN
I have gotten up to the twevelth lecture in the Bible that you gave I AM unstanding every part of it makes sence now.Why then did the Jewish people think they had to come up with their own Relegion when there were so many all ready there ? But I saw a movie on TBN that showed not all Jews believed in Jesus and they thought he was nuts But when you Have a Rabbi in the family you must listen but I am enjoying your Teaching
My sense is that no one in ancient religions deliberately set out to start a new religion (certainly not Jews) — unlike lots of people today!