I am reading this book called Jesus, Interrupted by Bart D. Ehrman; I have only read through chapter 2, but I wanted to document some of my thoughts while they are fresh in my mind.

My religious journey has come to some sort of change, an ending of sorts. I’ve mentioned a time or two that my beliefs are changing, and I am questioning the ones that remain, a lot.

One of my beliefs that had been wavering and now is gone is that the Bible is infallible. The New Testament is a combination of letters that were written years after the death of Christ and they contradict each other, many times. When Peter says “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable.” Second Peter 1:19, he is talking about the Old Testament, there is no New Testament at this time. When Timothy states “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Second Timothy 3:16-17, same story.

In this book, Ehrman is speaking about inconsistencies within the New Testament, including information about how the birth of Christ is only told in two different locations and give two different stories. He talks about how no one has actually seen the original transcripts, because most of them are copies. Many have had the words changed, many were books were left out because the people who was putting the New Testament together did not believe they needed to be included.

One example given is Judas’ death. Mathew says Judas “hanged himself” Mathew 27:3-10, yet in Acts, we learn that Judas fell “headlong” and burst open in the middle” Acts 1:18-19. Which is it? The person who wrote Acts wasn’t there.

As I said, I have only read through chapter 2, and there have already been multiple examples given, which I have looked up and compared. The information is mind-blowing as well as enlightening. I also stated that my religious journey was ending. Does that mean I no longer believe in God? It does not. I believe that God exists, and I believe he has a plan. So my religious journey may have ended, but my spiritual journey has taken flight.