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.