Are sex acts other than those between a man and a woman “unnatural”? Very few people ever bother to reflect on what the term “natural” means or how one decides what an “unnatural might be – and what makes it unnatural.  Almost everyone simply assumes that we each have a conscience; that our consciences basically tell all of us the same things; that there are some things we know are wrong, without needing anyone tell us; and – for a large segment of the population -- certain gender identifications and sexual activities are simply “unnatural” and therefore “wrong.” Sometimes arguments are invoked, but usually arguments are not actually thought out and reasoned; they are simply ad hoc constructions designed to convince people who are already convinced. Most commonly, at least in the world I grew up in, the argument against same-sex relations, for example, was simply about the plumbing.  Men aren’t made to have sex with men or women with women.  It’s just kinda biologically obvious, right?  Penises were made for vaginas. The variant on [...]

As you know, blog members at the Platinum level are allowed to publish posts on any topic of their choosing (related to blog interests!) to other Platinum members.   After a month or so, the other Platinums vote on which one can appear on the blog at large.  If you yourself are interested in getting in on that action -- reading the posts of other Platinum members, and on occasion coming up with one of your own (it DOESN'T need to be highly scholarly  or scholarly at all -- it can be your own views or questoins about something blog-related!) -- think about upping your membership to the Platinum level (Register - The Bart Ehrman Blog). The most recent vote wenbt in favor of a post by Omar Robb, which gets into the world of Greek and early Christian thinking, especially as leading to the doctrine of the Trinity.  Here it is.  Feel free to comment and ask Omar any questions! ****************************** The road from the "Duo of Philo" to the "Trinity of Nicaea" Omar Abur-Robb [...]

Why don’t scholars engage in a historical-critical study of the Qur’an the way they do with the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible?   I get asked this kind of thing all the time – with variations: “Where can I find a scholarly discussion the critical problems with the Qur’an like scholars publish about the Bible all the time?” or “I know Muslims claim the Qur’an is perfect, but what to critical scholars say about it?”  or “Why don’t scholars take a historical to early Islam like they do with early Christianity?”   For most of my career there really hasn’t been much out there to suggest, but in recent years that has begun to change.  In large part that’s because of a former student of mine who is now a prominent scholar of early Christianity, Stephen Shoemaker, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Oregon.  Stephen is an unusually productive scholar with a wide range of expertise (and a deep knowledge of a crazy number of ancient languages and obscure texts!).  Check him out [...]

Are you a talented, educated, and skilled writer or editor with a passion for Biblical and Christian studies? We're excited to announce an opportunity to contribute to bartehrman.com, Bart’s other prominent website with thousands of readers. We're ramping up our content production and need your expertise! Bartehrman.com serves as Bart's professional website, offering online courses, books, and the possibility to hire Bart for speaking engagements. In order to drive traffic from Google search, the website also features a blog component where we regularly post articles. Instead of Bart himself, we enlist the expertise of capable and insightful authors like Keith Long. Here's an example of an article authored by Keith Long: For more examples of the types of articles we publish, please click here. Qualifications Needed: As we explore a wide range of topics related to the New Testament and early Christianity, we're looking for a writer to take the reins and bring fresh perspectives. You don't necessarily need a PhD, but some formal education in Biblical or Christian studies is desired. If you have [...]

     I'm sorry (well happy) to say that I'm on a meditation retreeat this week, until June 24, in a remote part of Merry Ole, walking (aka hiking) and thinking deep thoughts. I will be almost entirely incommunicado as I reflect on reality and try to figure out my life....      I've set up posts to run for the week, and all other blog functions should be running along as normal (including Support from Diane!).  BUT, I will not be able to get to blog comments till I'm back.  Apologies!  But this too shall end (too soon, no doubt!) Please thrive and be happy in the meantime.

Every year I teach an undergraduate course called “Jesus in Scholarship and Film.”  In the class, students study about a dozen gospels (canonical and non-canonical), see what historians say about the historical Jesus, and watch/evaluate Jesus movies.  The point is that every portrayal – ancient literary, modern scholarly, cinematic – has a slant and a perspective; every portrayal is different. At the beginning of the year I have students watch an interesting overview – with clips – of major portrayals of Jesus in film, called “Jesus Christ Moviestar,” which begins with the silents and goes up to the early 90s.  Afterward, I ask the students which of those films (they’ve never seen any of them!)  do you think would be most interesting to watch. The resounding answer, every time, is “Life of Brian.” It’s a FANTASTIC choice.  Yes, it’s a Monty Python spoof.  Yes, it’s meant to be (and is) very funny.  Yes, it was attacked by conservative Christians as being blasphemous (the vast majority of them hadn’t actually seen it).  BUT, yes, it is [...]