Bart Ehrman interview on ‘Jesus Before the Gospels’
COVER STORY—He’s provocative; he’s very popular and Bible scholar Bart Ehrman is back, just in time for Easter, with a book that reads like a detective story. In this new book, Ehrman sifts through evidence from the ancient world—as well as centuries of research into the nature of human memory. At issue: How did early Christians remember and shape the stories about Jesus that only decades later became a part of the gospels? In the book, Ehrman lays out cases about a number of famous details in the Bible. For example, did Peter really draw a big sword when Jesus was arrested and then cut off someone’s ear with his wapon? ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm has interviewed Ehrman many times over the years—and, now, we invite you to enjoy this latest conversation with one of the world’s leading Bible detectives.
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MEDIA MATTERS
MAKING SENSE OF NEW MEDIA—At the request of many of our readers, we are publishing occasional tips and news-analysis about trends in media. If you’re just catching up with this series, here are three earlier columns …
- WHY WE DON’T DO APPS—A look at why some digital apps are everywhere you turn; and other app ideas aren’t worth pursuing these days.
- PICTURE A CONVERSATION—A creative idea by author Debra Darvick to get friends talking in meaningful ways.
- REALLY SEE THE WORLD—News about an international Twitter feed on religion news.
NEW THIS WEEK—Publishing an e-book is easy, right? We look at the rise and decline and the myth that ebooks eventually will replace ink on paper. And, we’ve got news headlines about some of the latest changes in the ebook world.
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HOLIDAYS and FESTIVALS
DON’T MISS A HOLIDAY! Just remember this simple Web address www.InterfaithHolidays.com to find all of the upcoming holidays, festivals and anniversaries.
LENT STARTS (AGAIN)
EAST MEETS WEST—The majority of the world’s 2 billion Christians follow the Western liturgical calendar; they already have started the Lenten season that leads toward Easter. Stephanie Fenton had that story in our Holidays column. Then, on Monday March 14, the calendar followed by most Eastern Orthodox Christians also will reach what is known as Great Lent. And, Stephanie’s story does have a recipe for traditional lagana bread. During this traditional season of reflection, we also recommend Our Lent: Things We Carry, an inspirational book by ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm.
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HAPPY ST. PAT’S!
REMEMBERING THE SAINT—Stephanie Fenton’s column focuses on the fun of the festival—including some very helpful links to St. Patrick’s Day recipes. But she also writes about the saint, and she includes a link to one of our all-time most-popular columns, featuring three different versions of the famous prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate. As always, you’re free to share these texts with friends. Enjoy!
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FEED THE SPIRIT
SERVE ‘EM MUFFINS! We write a lot about food at ReadTheSpirit, because food taps deep into the most ancient religious traditions—as well as the spiritual and ethnic identities of our families. This week, Bobbie Lewis shares a great story about working with colleagues at Detroit’s Sinai Hospital. And she’s got a recipe for Sinai’s famous muffins that you’re going to want to try for yourself and maybe for friends during the upcoming holidays.
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GODSIGNS
FROM STAGE—TO STAGE—GodSigns author Suzy Farbman’s columns celebrate the remarkable twists and turns of life. This week, she tells the story of Kevin Steele, an elementary school teacher who wound up on Broadway (and on lots of other major stages around the world). Over the years, he realized that our performances make a difference, each and every day, on whatever stage we appear.
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FILM, FAITH
& CULTURE
TALKING ABOUT MOVIES? Get a copy of faith-and-film writer Edward McNulty’s new book Jesus Christ, Movie Star—it’s full of thought-provoking reading and questions! Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed’s website: www.VisualParables.org
AND—Please consider subscribing to the one resource Ed sells—his long-running Visual Parables Journal, which is packed with complete study guides for individual reflection and small-group discussion. The new March issue has just been published.
- EDDY THE EAGLE—It’s a pretty good sports film, Ed says, and it stresses that winning is not everything in competitions. (3.5 out of 5 stars)
- RACE—If you enjoyed the recent movies about Jackie Robinson, you’ll want to see this movie biography of track star Jessie Owens. Ed gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
- GOSPEL AND COMEDY—Ed reaches back two decades to republish this popular column about combining humor and the Easter season.
- A WAR—This Oscar contender from Denmark serves as a good reminder that it is not just American families that are disrupted by the war in Afghanistan. (5 stars)
- TWO FILMS TO SKIP—Ed gives Gods of Egypt only 2 stars. And, he rates London Has Fallen only a bit higher at 2.5 stars.
- 45 YEARS—A wonderfully sophisticated story about questions that surface in a long-time marriage. (5 stars)
- THE GOOD DINOSAUR—It’s a “good” movie, but parents might want to consider whether to take very young children, Ed advises. (3.5 stars)
- SIN NOMBRE—Ed McNulty writes: “I wish every American would see this film” about Honduran refugees. (5 out of 5 stars)
- LADY IN THE VAN—Don’t miss Maggie Smith in this movie, says Ed. (5 stars)
- HATEFUL EIGHT—Yes, it’s a violent and twisted tale, but it’s intriguing as well. (4 stars)
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