Ehrman notes the peculiarity of Luke-Acts is that it does not have the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, but rather repentance and forgiveness (e.g., the soldier at the cross declares Jesus innocent; The destruction of the temple is seen as God’s punishment for the Jewish elite orchestrating Jesus’ death; etc.).  Ehrman figures Mark has substitutionary atonement … (Blog Series Conclusion) The Servant Model: A Contrite Heart Pays What a Sacrifice Cannot with Ehrman and Goicoechea

In Galatians 5:13–15 Paul writes: My brothers, you were called, as you know, to liberty, but be careful, or this liberty will provide an opening for self indulgence. Serve one another, rather, in works of love, since the whole of the Law is summarized in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself. So, the … Goicoechea (Paul) and Ehrman (Gospels) on the path to the Kingdom of God

Goicoechea introduces the concept of reconciliation as one of Paul’s key concept that is worked out also in his own life with the other competing Christ factions of his day, So Paul’s task is to love his enemies, Cephas and Apollos, and yet to contest them at the same time in the spirit of love.  … Goicoechea on Reconciliation and Ehrman’s Egoistic Jesus

Goicoechea’s Lukan Jesus and his Universalism will frustrate substitutionary atonement and should, as such philosophy entails the absurdity that if Hitler converted on his deathbed he gains paradise, whereas if a good and noble atheist is unable to find faith after a lifetime of trying (you can’t force yourself to believe any more than you … Goicoechea and Ehrman on Jesus and the Kingdom

Ehrman draws a helpful distinction between the traditional view of Jesus dying on the cross as atonement vs the forgiving dying Jesus and Stephen of Luke-Acts where no payment to God is needed or implied. The argument is the historical Jesus taught forgiveness, and his disciples changed the message to atonement when they thought they … Ehrman on Atonement vs Forgiveness

(An AI representation of the donkey-carrot idiom) As I noted, Ehrman argues that much of what we understand as an altruistic society reflects Jesus’ ethical innovations and how his followers spread a watered-down version of them throughout the Roman empire: Prior to the spread of Christianity, there were no public hospitals in the Roman world; … Ehrman and Goicoechea on Love and Feeling

Ehrman argues love in the Greco-Roman world was directed at those who were close to you either socially or biologically.  In the Hebrew bible it is commanded toward one’s fellow Israelite, even if they are strangers to you.  This need not include an emotional component, though it could, and refers to an action of treating … Ehrman on the Historical Consequences of Jesus’ Radical Innovations in Ethics

Scholars tend to think Jesus’ saying to the rich young man to sell his possessions and give them to the poor goes back to the historical Jesus because it is an impediment to evangelizing for obvious reasons (who would want to follow it?) and it contradicts the evangelists’ message that getting right with God comes … Ehrman and Goicoechea on the Christian Ethical Innovation of Dying to Save One’s Enemy

The Stoic and Epicurean thinker inherited the notion of Eudaimonia from Aristotle, that we should pursue that which will result in happiness/contentment/satisfaction in life. Ehrman argues The Epicurean Solution: Go Wholesome, not Wild▪Friends▪Good food and drink▪Reading and thoughtful contemplation▪Meaningful conversation▪Avoidance of stress▪Small community▪Apart from the world outside On the other hand, Ehrman says Stoics said: … Ehrman on Ethics before Jesus

Jesus’ message to his followers is “The Kingdom is coming soon,” within your lifetime, and you need to repent for God’s final judgment.  It is unlikely later writers would put this on Jesus’ lips since it is false.  Jesus taught to get into this kingdom you had to behave in a certain way, and much … Bart Ehrman: Did Christians Invent Jesus’ Teachings?