Forged by Bart Ehrman

Description

Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why the Bible’s Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are by Bart D. Ehrman explores the controversial claim that many books of the New Testament were not actually written by their attributed authors but were instead forgeries—texts written under false names. Key Themes of the Book: Pseudepigraphy in the Bible: Ehrman argues that several biblical books, such as 2 Peter, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, were likely written by unknown authors pretending to be apostles like Peter and Paul. Ancient Views on Forgery: Unlike modern times, where forgery is considered unethical, Ehrman shows that even in antiquity, writing under a false name was seen as deceitful and condemned. Motives for Forgery: The book explores why early Christian writers used false names, including to gain authority, promote certain theological views, or counter opposing beliefs. Impact on Christian Beliefs: Ehrman discusses how these forged writings shaped Christian doctrine, debates, and church teachings, often reinforcing ideas that may not have originated from Jesus or his disciples. With scholarly research and accessible storytelling, Forged challenges traditional views of biblical authorship and encourages readers to rethink how early Christian texts were composed, preserved, and interpreted. It is a must-read for anyone interested in biblical history, early Christianity, and textual criticism.