I frequently get asked how any highly-informed scholar of the Bible – knowing about biblical contradictions, historical mistakes, false claims, forged writings, and so on – could STILL be a committed Christian.  I usually respond that it certainly is possible and that most critical scholars of the New Testament are in fact Christians.  Some people then tell me they don’t believe it (they think scholars like that must just be fakin’ it) or that it just doesn’t make sense.

So, I’ve asked a few top-level biblical scholars to explain how they themselves do it.  How do they manage it, inside their own heads, and how would they explain it to themselves and possibly others.

The first to respond to my request was Dale Allison,  Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary.  Dale is widely recognized as one of the top New Testament scholars in the world, highly erudite, widely published, very influential in the field and among lay-readers, and as knowledgeable as they come.

Here is how he explains how it works for him, this balance of critical “knowledge” and Christian “faith”.  His answer in a nutshell: it’s a long-standing part of the Christian tradition to be fully knowledgeable about the Bible and recognize its serious problems but also be a believer.

Feel free to comment.  Because of a crazily taxing schedule Dale will not be able to reply directly to questions. But read and enjoy!

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