The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why

Bart D. Ehrman, Chair, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and author of Misquoting Jesus

For anyone interested in the New Testament and how it came together, this is a fascinating interview.  Bart Ehrman begins with the fact that we do not have the original manuscripts of the New Testament, but rather copies of copies of copies.  The scribes who did the copying, he says, frequently made mistakes – the majority of them minor, but some that are significant.  For example, the story of the woman taken in adultery in the Gospel of John was probably not in the original text of that gospel. 

These ancient scribes, he notes, varied in their talents and education, and were definitely influenced by the disputes that characterized the early centuries of Christianity. 

Some scribes made changes in the text to fit their theological viewpoints.  For example, when Mary says to the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple, “your father and I have been looking for you...,” this did not fit with belief in Mary’s virginity.  So they changed the text. 

Professor Ehrman also discusses changes in the texts about the Last Supper and women’s role in the church community.     

He encourages listeners not to conflate the New Testament books into one message.  Mark, he says, is different from Luke or Matthew or John or the Apostle Paul. 

The New Testament, he says, really gives us a community of people struggling to discover the meaning of the scriptures for their time. 

For more information on the book: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060738170/ref=nosim/luby-20

On Being an Adult Catholic

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, internationally known “Peace Bishop,” recently disciplined for speaking out in the sex abuse crisis

Two weeks ago, we reported that Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit was “organized out” as pastor of St. Leo’s Parish in Detroit where he had been pastor for 25 years, and was forced to move his residence.  At that time, two journalists speculated that this was due to his speaking out in favor of laws extending the statute of limitations in sex abuse cases.

This week, Bishop Gumbleton confirms that, and provides details about what happened.

Then, we hear excerpts from a talk he gave to the Voice of the Faithful (a lay group advocating for change in the church in the wake of the sex abuse crisis) on “Being an Adult Catholic.”  In that talk, Bishop Gumbleton emphasizes the importance of subsidiarity, the sensus fidelium or “sense of the faithful” in shaping doctrine, and primacy of conscience in moral decision-making. 

Voice of the Faithful is on the Web at: www.voiceofthefaithful.org

The Latest on the “God Gap” Between Republicans and Democrats

David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, a polling firm

The Barna Group, a polling firm that specializes in surveying people of faith – especially evangelicals, conducted a nationwide poll on religious identity in relation to political affiliation in January 2007. 

Those designated either “born again” or “9-point evangelical” in this poll are not self-identified.  Rather, they are defined by their answers to specific questions about their beliefs and religious practices.

The results for the “born again” group – the larger of the two – show that the so-called “God Gap” between the parties is narrowing for this significant “faith voter” bloc. 

David Kinnaman notes that the Democrats are doing more outreach to religious voters, that there is some backlash against conservative Christian political activity, and that eclectic religious practice – a kind of “religious free agency” – is growing.  All this complicates the emerging religious/political scene. 

The Barna Group plans more polls focusing on election issues and candidates.  Interfaith Voices will bring you the results when they are available.   The Barna Group is on the Web at:  www.barna.org

A New Campaign to End Rural Poverty   

Mark Brinkmoeller, Director of Church Relations, Bread for the World

Mark Brinkmoeller detailed a new campaign recently launched by Bread for the World (BFW), a Christian anti-hunger group.  This campaign is focused on the farm bill, a far-ranging piece of legislation that was intended at its inception to address rural poverty.

Bread for the World seeks the bill that would include substantial funding for rural economic development, a strengthening of nutrition programs like Food Stamps, and better environmental protections for the soil in rural areas.  Moreover, BFW wants to avoid any provisions that would disadvantage farmers in developing nations. 

BFW is sponsoring an interfaith convocation in coming weeks to organize this effort, and is conducting its annual “offering of letters” through houses of worship to get its message to Members of Congress. 

For more information:  www.bread.org. 

Global Climate Change as a Moral Issue

Cassandra Carmichael

Eileen Claussen

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb

Ned Stowe

This show offers a comprehensive discussion of the global climate crisis by people of faith who know the issue, and who care.

The panel is unanimous in accepting the consensus most recently articulated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: namely, that climate change is real, it is caused in large measure by the emission of human-produced greenhouse gases, and we have only a decade – maybe two – to take serious action to reverse it. Why is it a moral issue? Our panelists answered by pointing to the most vulnerable people on earth as those who will bear the brunt of disastrous flooding, storms and droughts.

They cited “intergenerational justice” as an ethical concern, because the effects of the current emissions of greenhouse gases will fall hardest on coming generations. And Rabbi Dobb said that we insult the Creator of the universe when we fail to care for the planet and protect its biodiversity. What do the panelists believe is the state of the crisis at the moment? In a word, dire. When do they believe is action needed: yesterday. What needs to happen? The panel was unanimous that voluntary actions, worthy as they might be, are not enough.

They agreed that regulatory legislation is needed at the domestic level, and once the U.S. has a credible climate policy, then U.S. leadership is needed at the international level to go beyond the requirements of the Kyoto Treaty. Eileen Claussen noted that there has been a flurry of activity on this issue in the new Congress the likes of which has not been seen before. The panelists acknowledged that technological advancements may alleviate some of the worst effects of climate change, but lifestyle changes will be necessary as well – a place where the leadership of the faith community is crucial. Several panelists spoke to the need for simplifying lifestyles, moving away from the pervasive U.S. consumerist model of living.

On the international level, all agreed, we cannot deny nations like China and India the right to development. What we can do is assist them in environmentally sustainable development, perhaps with an all-out global “Apollo program” exporting appropriate technologies. The prognosis? The panelists were split. Some said we cannot avert all disaster, but if we act, we can avert the worst of it. Others were more optimistic.

Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Struggle to end Slavery in the British Empire

Eric Metaxas, author, William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery

Amazing Grace…it’s no longer just a hymn, but a movie and a book about the life of William Wilberforce, a leader in the struggle to end the slave trade, and finally slavery itself, in the British Empire – although his influence on this issue extended far beyond Britain.  

Eric Metaxas tells the story of this extraordinary man and social reformer, born to a wealthy family, partying in his early years, eventually making friends with future Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and then winning election to the British Parliament.  During his early years in Parliament, he underwent a profound conversion to a deeper Christianity than he had ever experienced before.  It was a transformation of life led by the growing influence of Methodism in the Great Britain of the late 18th century.  In many ways, his story exemplifies the issues important to evangelicals in the 19th century: issues of social justice.

Then, for 20 years in Parliament, Wilberforce exposed the horrors of the slave trade, doggedly introduced bills to abolish it, and endured all manner of vilification for his efforts.  Finally, in 1807, the bill passed.

In 1833, just three days before Wilberforce died, the British Parliament voted to end slavery itself.  

The book, Amazing Grace, is a fascinating read.

The Global Slave Trade Today and Faith-Based Action to End It

David Batstone, author of Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade – and How We Can Fight It

David Batstone exposes the fact that the global slave trade has returned in our time – with a vengeance.  His conservative estimate: 27 million people are held as slaves in the contemporary world!  

He discusses the commercial interests that profit from it, and describes the capture of slaves for forced labor, and for sex and prostitution.  Most are women and children.  Escape is almost impossible because they are usually trafficked to another country, their passports are taken away, and their families are sometimes threatened.

This contemporary slavery is found in the United States and Canada, as well as the rest of the world.

Batstone then lays out many faith-based efforts to end slavery in the world today, including efforts to get houses of worship to declare themselves “abolitionist,” and to offer sanctuary to those who have been trafficked.  A complete list of organizations can be found at:  www.notforsalecampaign.org.  

The Challenges of Being Wicca

Bethany Moore, Project Manager for First Freedom First at Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Bethany Moore, an adherent of Wicca, notes that this is a religion with ancient roots, as well as a contemporary religious movement.  It begins with reverence for the earth and nature, and respects each person’s own path to spirituality.  

It holds that women and men are equals, and thus women are priestesses in the tradition.  

However, Wicca suffers from many stereotypes, and so it is often difficult for adherents to come out of the “broom closet,” as Bethany puts it.  (She hastens to note that Wiccans have brooms, but don’t fly on them!).  Wicca is not “Satanism,” she notes.

However, when controversies arise, as in the case of putting a pentagram (the Wicca symbol) on a soldier’s tombstone, there is no central authority in this egalitarian group to point to central teachings to back up a Wiccan claim.  

Protests Over the Treatment of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit    

Tom Roberts, Editor, National Catholic Reporter

Santiago Esparza, Reporter, Detroit News

Tom Roberts believes that Bishop Gumbleton’s long record of raising questions that are unsettling to the Vatican probably led to this action against him.  Santiago Esparza points out that he is much loved in Detroit and around Michigan, and thus protests over his removal are continuing.

American Islam: Struggle for the Soul of a Religion

Paul Barrett, author, American Islam: Struggle for the Soul of a Religion

Paul Barrett’s widely acclaimed book, American Islam; Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, describes Islam through the stories of several American Muslims who exemplify different tendencies, different viewpoints in the ongoing debate within this faith tradition. Mr. Barrett begins with an overall description that will astound some listeners. He notes that American Muslims are much better educated, more affluent and more likely to be registered to vote than are average Americans. Saudi Arabia with its highly traditional “Wahabi” or “Salafist” Islam, Mr. Barrett says, has had a strong influence in American Islam, funding the building of mosques, distributing literature and sponsoring the education of imams. This fuels the intense internal debates within the religion, including struggles over the role of women and controversies over the subjects of Friday sermons: should they reflect anti-Western themes, or an inclusive societal outlook? The Muslims profiled by Barrett include a successful entrepreneur and newspaper editor of Lebanese origin with sympathies for Hezbollah, a Muslim scholar who promotes a contemporary view of Islam, an African-American Muslim who went from the Nation of Islam to conventional Islam, two Muslim men with radical views – one tried and acquitted, the other who changed his views, a Muslim feminist, and a married couple who are Sufi mystics. Paul Barrett is optimistic about the future of Muslims, and Islam, in America.

A New Recommendation on Gay Clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Kevin Eckstrom, Editor, Religion News Service, regular analyst for Interfaith Voices

A council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) recently voted to defrock a gay minister living with his gay partner, and at the same time, recommended that the national church change its policy, and permit openly gay partnerships among its clergy. Kevin Eckstrom provides an analysis of the situation, but does not believe that the ELCA will change its policy, but we won’t know until its convention in the summer of 2007.

The Christian Season of Lent: Can it be Relevant in Today’s World?

Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Deputy Director, Protestants for the Common Good, ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ Church

Rev. Dr. Cain Hope Felder, Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Howard University School of Divinity, Editor of the Journal of Religious Thought

Dr. Cain Hope Felder recalls that Lent as a season came into Christian history with the Council of Nicea in 325 C.E. It remembers Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, and is traditionally a time of fasting, prayer and preparation for Easter. Both guests noted a heightened interest in Lent in our consumer society, and in an age when the so-called “prosperity gospel” is preached. Dr. Felder noted that it has been of greater importance in “black churches” in the last 30 years because of greater prosperity, and “prosperity gospel” preaching. The latter teaches that God rewards good Christians with prosperity in this world, but both guests decried this teaching as out of sync with the gospel, and an implicit condemnation of the poor. When it comes to creative ideas for Lenten practices, Rev. Kottler suggested taking on a spiritual practice (like meditation) – rather than “giving something up,” or acts of Christian witness, such as participation in the anti-war protest coming up in mid-March. Dr. Felder agreed, urging Christians to deal with one of their personal faults during Lent, combining that with specific action for social justice.

Bishop John Chane, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC, and his visit to Iran

Bishop Chane visited Iran in December, 2006, at the invitation of former President Mohammed Khatami, who immediately preceded Ahmadinejad. President Khatami spoke at the Washington National Cathedral in mid-2006 (with strong protests from some quarters), but that event led to this visit. Bishop Chane described his visit as low key, without media. It was a time for intense dialogue with religious and university leaders, but also included a conversation with the head of Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian clerics told him that construction of a nuclear weapon is contrary to the Qu’ran, but he said there was some skepticism about whether that is a deterrent. His own sources among U.N. inspectors estimate 7-8 years before Iran would have a nuclear weapon. Ahmadinejad, he said, is in a weakened position – large because of a souring economy. He seems to use holocaust denial and spinning centrifuges as “wedge issues” to deflect attention from the country’s real problems. Iranians Bishop Chane met, especially the clerics, were split on the U.S. role in neighboring Iraq, some urging immediate withdrawal, other fearing a killing field if that happened too rapidly. Many Iranians expressed fear of the U.S., asking questions like, “You’re not going to do to us what you did to Iraq, are you?” Others, fearful of a U.S. attack on Iran, said: “We are not the people your government makes us out to be.” Bishop Chane counseled dialogue and negotiation as the only ethical way forward with Iran. He urged that the rhetoric be cooled – on both sides – and that the two countries find a way to negotiate differences. He was emphatic that asymmetric war, or pre-emptive war, is flatly immoral and unjustified, especially in the 21st century.

An Abortion Bill Bringing Both Sides of the Debate Together

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), pro-choice co-sponsor of legislation to prevent abortion

Rep. Timothy Ryan (D-OH), pro-life co-sponsor of the same legislation to prevent abortion

For decades, abortion has been a key issue for religious groups on both sides of the question. They have rarely agreed on anything – until now. These members of Congress are co-sponsors of legislation designed to prevent abortion. It includes measures to prevent unintended pregnancies (sex education, access to contraceptives), measures to encourage adoption (an increased tax credit) and a package of economic incentives to provide poor women with the means to carry pregnancies to term. The bill is currently sponsored by a coalition of pro-choice and pro-life Democrats, with hope that it will ultimately attract Republicans on both sides as well.

The Future of the Nation of Islam

Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Minister Louis Farrakhan is seriously ill with prostate cancer, and scheduled soon to give what many believe will be his last speech. When then will happen to the Nation of Islam? Dr. Bagby, a scholar of American Islam, believes that the key question is not Farrakhan’s successor, but whether the Nation of Islam will merge with mainstream Islam, or not. And the answer to that question remains to be seen.

Emanuel Swedenborg’s Visions of Heaven and Hell

Donald R. Rose, assistant pastor of Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn, PA, and editor of Afterlife: A Guided Tour of Heaven and Its Wonders

Emanuel Swedenborg was an 18th century scientist and mystic, who wrote several books of theology. His most famous is Heaven and Hell, which purports to include actual descriptions of these places. Swedenborg said that God permitted him to go through the death process, and experience the afterlife so he could come back and tell the story for others. Donald Rose, a pastor in a church inspired by Swedenborg, edited an abbreviated version of Heaven and Hell, called Afterlife. Swedenborg describes three sections of the afterlife: the “World of Spirits,” a kind of ante-room where the dead get to know themselves as they really are. Heaven is a place of many communities with different functions. Hell is not a place of fire, but a place of ugly self-centeredness. In any event, Swedenborg teaches that people “grow into” their own afterlife; they put themselves in heaven or hell. If they have led selfless lives, they will feel comfortable in heaven. If they have led selfish lives, they send themselves in the other direction.

A Buddhist Approach to Politics

Melvin McLeod, editor of Mindful Politics: A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place

“Buddhism is often misinterpreted as a quietist religion,” says Melvin McLeod, a prominent Buddhist, who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada. In addition to editing Mindful Politics, he serves as editor of the Buddhist magazine, Shambhala Sun. McLeod refers to the rich library of authors in his book as he discusses the need to take Buddhist concepts from the individual level, to the social level. This understanding, he says, is a distinct contribution of Western Buddhists to this ancient faith tradition. One of these concepts is “ego,” which an author in his book, David Loy, talks about as “wego,” or collective ego. The Dalai Lama, whom McLeod regards as a pre-eminent statesman, emphasizes the values of “universal responsibility” and interdependence in a world enveloped by globalization. Although many Buddhists in North America tend to be at the progressive end of the political spectrum, McLeod notes that Buddhism has no partisan philosophy; many Asian Buddhists are more conservative. Buddhism, he notes, stresses non-violence and non-aggression, but that is not the same as pacifism. What Buddhism does emphasize is a willingness to listen to the other, to put oneself in the other’s shoes. After 9-11, “why do they hate us?” was a proper Buddhist question because it sought to probe the reasons for the attack. One of the most important issues for Buddhism is forgiveness, which McLeod believes is difficult at the social and individual level. Buddhism emphasizes the need to get beyond tit-for-tat revenge. What Buddhism offers most uniquely to the world of politics, however, is a panoply of meditative practices which can probe beyond the superficial to the depths of reality, whether than reality is individual or social.

Religious Voices in the Anti-War Movement

Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor of Tikkun Magazine, a founder of the Network of Spiritual Progressives

Several religiously-motivated anti-war protestors

Two religiously-motivated counter-protestors

On January 27th, tens of thousands of protestors, opposing escalation of the war in Iraq, converged on Washington. Many were people of faith. The day began with an interfaith service at which Rabbi Michael Lerner preached the main homily. He talked about religion – any religion – calling people to the power of transformation. “We are not stuck in what is,” he said. So when political leaders tell us to “be realistic,” he said that the religious response should be “screw realism!” “Challenge the dominant paradigm of domination,” he said, and replace it with a paradigm based on generosity and love. This, he said, is realistic in today’s world. This segment then samples just a few of the religious voices assembled on Washington’s Mall, and two voices from the small counter-protest, where participants supported the Bush escalation. The contrast in messages is stark.

Interfaith Dialogue and the Buxton Initiative

J. Douglas Holladay, Co-founder of the Buxton Initiative, former Special Ambassador to South Africa

Alex Kronemer, Producer, PBS Documentary: Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet

Robert J. Woody, Co-founder of the Buxton Initiative, Deputy Chair of Northstar Financial Services

The Buxton Initiative is one of many grassroots efforts to promote interfaith dialogue at the local level. This interview takes place in Washington, DC at a dialogue of young professionals in their 20’s who had just watched the film, Mohammed: Legacy of a Prophet, and were discussing it. The producer of the film was present, and discussed his conversion to Islam after growing up in a Jewish/Christian household. The organizers discussed the importance of facing differences, and talking them through, in an interfaith world.

Computer Technology and Biblical Studies

Rev. Richard Hong, technically savvy pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, NJ, and also the Church at the Crossroads in Englewood

“I have a ‘book bible’ but I never open it,” says Rev. Hong. “I use the Bible on line or on my palm pilot.” This technologically oriented pastor says that computers are revolutionizing the world of biblical studies. Many interpretations and the long history of biblical criticism are available easily on line at low cost. Both traditional and progressive Bible readers can be energized by what’s available, he said, and preachers find a wealth of riches for their ministry. It’s not likely, however, he concedes that a laptop will replace an actual “book” Bible in liturgical processions!

The Episcopal Split: From Both Sides     

Rev. Rick Wright, Assistant Rector of The Falls Church in Falls Church, VA, whose congregation has voted to secede from the Episcopal Church/USA

Rev. John Ohmer, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg, VA, whose congregation has wrestled with many of the same issues, but remains a part of the Episcopal Church

In this conversation, Rev. Rick Wright laid out what he sees as a broadly conceived set of theological issues that led eleven local congregation to secede from the Episcopal Church/USA.  These include: the nature of Christianity as a “revealed” faith, the authority of the Bible, and the role of Jesus Christ as the sole savior of the world.  He agreed that the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire, was important in this process of theological questioning.  But he said that his congregation was more troubled by what he regards as the inadequate response of the U.S. Episcopal Convention in to the requests of the Anglican Communion in this matter.

Rev. John Ohmer focused on the consecration of a gay bishop, and the election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first woman Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, as the key issues precipitating the split.  And although he said there was some “squishy” theology in part of the Episcopal Church, he said that any contention that his church, or most of the Episcopal world, were not orthodox Christians, was simply not true.  It was painting with too broad a brush.

Rev. Wright said that some of the eleven seceding churches had had women clergy, but he acknowledged that the elevation of a woman as presiding bishop was problematic for some.  But he maintained that gay issues and women’s issues were not at the core of the struggle.  

After initial theological wrestling, Revs. Ohmer and Wright discussed the issues stemming from the seceding churches’ association with Nigeria, the interaction of theology and culture, and the issues swirling around who owns the church properties of the eleven churches. 

Both see this struggle as ongoing, with national and international implications. 

The Challenges of Keeping Kosher in Today’s World

Nigel Savage, founder and director of Hazon, a Jewish environmental education organization

Anna Stevenson, “Jews, Food & Contemporary Life” Curriculum Project Manager

Living and eating Kosher is a hard issue for Jews in our society. Kosher literally means “fit:” fit for consumption, fit for a lifestyle rooted in faith, history and family. Today’s environmentalism, for example, heightens our awareness of what we eat and how we make food and life choices. Nigel Savage and Anna Stephenson of Hazon, a Jewish environmental education group in New York, are working to answer some of the contemporary questions about Jewish lifestyle in a new educational workbook for youth and young adults.    

Nigel Savage, who was a participant in our April 2006 Conversation on the Common Good about lifestyle and materialism, is a former banker who found a place for an environmentalist’s insight in the burgeoning Jewish Renewal movement and has earned a place at the table for his efforts – and brought a movable feast with him!

In the interview, Nigel and Anna discuss ways that kosher law is being upended or overridden by the availability of so many different foods and tastes, and by new ethical considerations.  A kosher slaughterhouse, for example, may keep all the rules for meat, but the very sight of it can drive some Jews to a vegetarian ethic.  Soy-based “bacon” may be kosher, but is it OK, with all its preservatives? 

Hazon’s new blog on Jewish food and lifestyle, The Jew and the Carrot, is online at http://www.jcarrot.org.  Thanks to the website that helped us find this piece: http://www.jewschool.com. Both sites are useful and worth checking out.

The Interfaith Movement to Cancel the Debts of Poor Nations in 2007: a Sabbath Year

Alexander D. Baumgarten, a member of the Board of Jubilee USA, the leader of international policy advocacy for the Episcopal Church, and the co-author of God’s Mission in the World: An Ecumenical Study Guide on Global Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals.

Hundreds of faith-based groups are part of a movement to cancel the debts of the poor nations of the earth.  Alexander D. Baumgarten said that many of these debts were accrued in unjust ways, and now the poor of many nations are faced with paying them back, and they have no means to do so.  He noted that the Jubilee campaign in the year 2000 produced some debt cancellations, and that these work.  Many nations, such as Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique, have been able to devote real resources to alleviating poverty, rather than paying off debts.

In 2007, a Sabbath Year, he said that the movement will organize and lobby legislators to provide debt relief to 65+ nations that have still not experienced debt cancellation. 

Is the Iraq War a "Just War?"   An Interfaith Discussion

Dolores Leckey

Scandal in the Polish Catholic Church

David Gibson

The Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints (or Community of Christ)

Roger Lanius

Kabbalah: the Emerging Controversy

Ira Rifkin