Well everyone I am headed to Indonesia to lecture on the Historical Jesus over the next week. It takes 30 hours to get there with connections. I am reading the new Bart Ehrman book which is more of the same. His juxtaposing of devotional reading with historical reading is a kind of straw man contrast (he opens the book here with his repeated biography of his journey from evangelicalism). I am sure I will blog on it in the future, although in many ways the best response is the streaming video series we did with Day of Discovery (see previous blog). Three of those shows are not available in live streaming video.
On another front, those of you who keep posting with embedded email addresses to advertize. It is an automatic delete on the comment.
Dr. Bock, I wonder how you keep up the pace!
Well everyone I am headed to Indonesia to lecture on the Historical Jesus over the next week. It takes 30 hours to get there with connections. I am reading the new Bart Ehrman book which is more of the same. His juxtaposing of devotional reading with historical reading is a kind of straw man contrast (he opens the book here with his repeated biography of his journey from evangelicalism).
- Thanks for the info
I was there when you gave us a most valuable lecture. I and my three elders and Deacon have been blessing with so many principles which we took. So please let me ask you: 1. Are you a Jews? 2. Are you a classic dispensationalist or progressive dispensationalist? Thank You
Hermanus:
I am glad you enjoyed the lecture and found it helpful.
I do come out of a Jewish background (although I was not raised in the synagogue). However what I lectured on was not really influenced by that. Jesus studies has rooted itself in Jesus' Jewish context for several decades.
I am a progressive dispensationalist. If you wish to understand what that means exactly see a book by Herbert Bateman called Three Issues in Contemporary Dispensationalism. Again nothing of what I did at the lectures was directly impacted by this view. It impacts more how one sees the future of Jesus' career.
dlb
Welcome to Indonesia! I grew up there... and miss it dreadfully.
Ehrman's book was the final step away from Christianity for a couple of my missionary kid friends. For them, his history within the church was a big reasons to believe him and his world-view. He'd been there, and he walked away resolutely, so they could too.
Kacie:
How sad to hear, especially since there are answers to this.
Indonesia is fascinating (my second time here).
Hallo Dr Bock.
Welcome to Jakarta. Tomorrow is Your schedule present the seminar before scholars from Indonesia. I will join in Saturday public seminar.
If I not mistaken Ehrman's new boook is "Jesus Interuptted", explain about "contradiction" among the Bible esp Gospels.
God bless Your ministry.
Regards
Ivan-Jakarta
Ivan:
Please be sure to introduce yourself to me Saturday as a blog favorite!
Yes, Ehrman's book is nothing new. Just claiming to let everyone know what scholars believe.
dlb
Dr Bock.
Thanks.
Yes I will introduce myself and also question to You.
Yes, I saw his book in You Tube. There's no new in his book. It's classic issue . Iam afraid it will be read by new believers that do not have basic in gospel study.
Warm Regards, see You in Saturday.
Ivan Karel
I think Ehrman and others like him will not have an impact in the scholarly world until they are able to present their case by explaining the WHOLE Bible. Concentrating on contradictions and errors is fine, but unless you are able to explain them in light of the other portions of the Bible that show evidence of supernatural involvement (fulfilled prophecy, for example), you really have not done anything but shown that there are contradictions and errors in the COPIES, and that humans were involved in the process, which basically guarantees errors. I agree with Ehrman; there are errors in the Bible, but so what. 2 Sam 21.19 is a certifiable error with no manuscript resolution. But I have to accept the other portions of the Bible and explain fulfilled prophecies. And in a more larger context, I am simply unable to accept the worldview that this universe popped into existence out of nothing; to do so would require me to abandon rational thought. In my humble opinion, I think Ehrman is bitter toward God (for who knows what reason) and he does not, deep in his soul, really believe the conclusions he is presenting. He is just too smart for that.
Dear Dr. Bock,
I thank God for your lecture in the public seminar re: Christianity or Jesusanity last Saturday in Jakarta. It was very insightful. I'm reading your book: "Dethroning Jesus" and I think it's awesome. The book is well written and very easy to understand. It's definitely one of the must-have books a Christian should have. May God always bless you and your ministry. Terima Kasih.
Best Regards,
Steny
Hi, Dr. Bock,
Thank you for your ministry on Saturday!
I learned that not many people in Indonesia understand what's going on with all the Christianity v Jesusanity, as it's sometimes perceived as western, academic and higher matters (not for laypersons). But your talk gave a great overall insight on the subject and the way you presented it made sense to us.
Though I have a question: can you still consider those scholars in Jesusanity as Christians? if not, then how do you 'evangelize' them?
God bless you,
Dwiyanto,
Jakarta.
Prof Bock, what a pity the intrepreter did'nt translate what the speech of your publisher's representative in Jakarta, Gramedia ?
I am trying to write as long as I remember.
He said that your book "Dethroning Jesus'" in bahasa Indonesia should be sold more than 100,000 rupiahs, but because of the seminars they got bulk order, then they can sell your book only 85,000.
He appreciated the commitee of the seminar because your books educate the Indonesian to be more critical, once they wanted to publish 'Da Vinci Code' and 'Misquoting Jesus', they diccused the case with Vatican, then your book 'Breaking the Da vinci Code" appeared , they were very excited because they can netreulize the issue.
that what I can remember.
I enjoyed your lectures, thanks a lot,
yudono
Dear Prof. Bock,
First, I wanna thak you for lecturing us in the nice saturday morning in Jakarta. I had been waiting for this seminar and I was really satisfied. In the beginning, i thought there won't be many people would come because at this time, the participants were charged Rp. 25.000 - 10.000 (or U.S$ 2 - U.S$.8 in your currency). Though , i was mistaken (but i am glad about that... :) )
Second, I wanna ask you just a simple question. You had mentioned the reasons/motives why people like Bart Ehrman, James Tabot and many more are writing such books describing Jesus or Christianity from "other" perspective...
They are not ordinary people like me. They are well known, well educated and well respected. And my question is simple why do you still in Jesus and Christianity?
btw: do you speak Hebrew and Greek?
Best Regards in Christ
odith adikusuma
Odith:
Thank you for your kind remarks.
I still believe for the reasons I lectured on, namely, I believe the apostolic testimony surrounding Jesus and what he did. Anyone open to the possibility of God acting in his creation is open to that testimony.
I do not speak Greek and Hebrew but read it and can translate it.
dlb
Hi Dr.Bock,
I attended your seminar in Indonesia, and wanted to thank you for the seminar! Praise God for your ministry. Your seminar was very insightful and helped me clear a few things, and help me prepare ways to evangelize.
However, I would like to ask what are the dangers maybe practically, and what could happen now, or in the future, if people go and believe in Jesusanity. Even genuine Christians who are falling into Jesusanity...? Thanks again.
Post new comment