ignorance is bliss
I read a lot from people who believe very differently than myself. I've read a lot from the "new atheists" and other, less aggressive, atheists and agnostics. Some, such as Bart Ehrman, even have a Christian background and educational pursuits similar to my own but have come to reject the Christian God. I just started Ehrman's 2005 book Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. I caught myself thinking once again about an uncomfortable issue for me, and this time reflected on it a bit longer.
This man is challenging my worldview, my perception of truth, and ultimately everything I hold dear and valuable. Based on the fact that this book was NYT best-selling, I also assume he argues his case convincingly and see this even in the intro and first chapter. So the question haunts in my mind, begging to be made conscious, "Do I really want to read this? What if it convinces me?" If I were to walk away from the faith, as Ehrman has done, it would mean I have been completely wasting the last quarter of my life. As Paul said, If I am wrong about this Jesus thing I am of all men most to be pitied.
"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"
If I was wrong, would I really want to know? I reluctantly admit there is a small part of me that wouldn't, but ultimately I am convinced I would want to know.
So then how does a Christian go about reading challenging books? Very carefully. Books from guys like Ehrman, Dawkins, Harris, etc (as well as most documentaries) are designed to appeal strongly to emotions as well as reason, and though I won't harshly critique them for this since many Christian books do the same, it does necessitate careful reading. Also, as with any important issue, we must listen to both sides. Some may read Ehrman's book and walk away from the faith, but have they read Ben Witherington's review? or the response of the book Misquotes in Misquoting Jesus?(The same kind of responses have been given to Dawkins and Harris). or NT Wright's beast of a book The Resurrection of the Son of God?
I just keep coming back to 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul says "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." and "If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE." If my faith was in vain I would want to know because I would do a lot more eating, drinking, and dieing.
4 comments:
If I were to walk away from the faith, as Ehrman has done, it would mean I have been completely wasting the last quarter of my life. As Paul said, If I am wrong about this Jesus thing I am of all men most to be pitied.
Aren't you being a little melodramatic? Many people come to a point where they realize that they are no longer satisfied with answers they once found more than sufficient. Many people spend there lives looking for answers without ever reaching the point where they are sure they have found them. There is no shame in that. Only those who don't try to figure things out are to be pitied for wasting their lives.
If you want to read about the resurrection, there is always my Resurrection Debate
Wright is easy meat to refute...
2 years ago, I wrote to him about 'The Empty Tomb' which directly challenged his arguments. Wright has never written one word of rebuttal to the book..
I like to read stuff that challenges me too. It's not always easy to read something that challenges your beliefs but I believe it can be beneficial.
Brett,
What about...the risk of not believing? I believe that you,like me would prefer to live a life of "no regrets" Not believing would be the most unfathomable of all regrets.
Here is the definition just for clarification... 1. Difficult or impossible to understand; incomprehensible: unfathomable theories.
2. Difficult or impossible to measure: the unfathomable depths.
You read the opposing view so that you can understand why it is so hard for some/most to BELIEVE!
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