ignorance is bliss

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657594.post-49504055687455419162008-05-09T20:10:00.000-04:002008-05-09T22:55:54.340-04:00ignorance is bliss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4htikdvRe_M/SCUGL_eEoXI/AAAAAAAADyk/OZ33G3CatWE/s1600-h/misquoting+jesus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 186px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4htikdvRe_M/SCUGL_eEoXI/AAAAAAAADyk/OZ33G3CatWE/s400/misquoting+jesus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198568147954999666" border="0" /></a>I read a lot from people who believe very differently than myself. I've read a lot from the "<a href="http://newatheists.org/">new atheists</a>" 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 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Misquoting-Jesus-Story-Behind-Changed/dp/0060859512/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210122873&sr=8-1">Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why</a>. 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 <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20cor%2015%20:19;&version=49;">said</a>, If I am wrong about this Jesus thing I am of all men most to be pitied. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDlOiHEHY18"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4htikdvRe_M/SCUFsveEoWI/AAAAAAAADyc/mJYezKZt1zQ/s400/truth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198567611084087650" border="0" /></a>"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDlOiHEHY18">You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!</a>" 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 <a href="http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2006/03/misanalyzing-text-criticism-bart.html">review</a>? or the response of the book <a href="http://www.tdaxp.com/archive/2006/07/26/review-of-misquotes-in-misquoting-jesus-by-dillon-burroughs.html">Misquotes in Misquoting Jesus</a>?(The same kind of responses have been given to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dawkins-Delusion-Atheist-Fundamentalism-Denial/dp/083083446X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210387016&sr=1-1">Dawkins</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Letter-Christian-Citizen-Response-Nation/dp/0915815664/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210386981&sr=8-1">Harris</a>). or NT Wright's beast of a book <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=-Zh4Yf2YvxMC&printsec=frontcover&lr=&sig=eI3Z9S9wFsnvOO4EfTww2fO5P4o">The Resurrection of the Son of God</a>? I just keep coming back to 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul says "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=53&chapter=15&version=49">if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.</a>" and "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=53&chapter=15&version=49">If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.</a>" If my faith was in vain I would want to know because I would do a lot more eating, drinking, and dieing.<div class="blogger-post-footer">. . . . (Thank you for subscribing to <a href="http://www.brettmaxwell.com/">brettmaxwell.com</a>, please don't forget to visit the site occasionally and explore the links to friends and resources.)<img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12657594-4950405568745541916?l=www.brettmaxwell.com'/></div>Brett Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05174099346735638647noreply@blogger.com4