Misquoting Truth - Annotated by Timothy Paul Jones (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"What good does it do to say that the words [of the Bible] are inspired by God if most people have absolutely no access to these words, but only to more or less clumsy renderings of these words into a language? . . . How does it help us to say that the Bible is the inerrant word of God if in fact we don't have the words that God inerrantly inspired? . . . We have only error-ridden copies, and the vast majority of these are centuries removed from the originals."So contends Bart D. Ehrman in his bestselling Misquoting Jesus. If altogether true, we have little reason to put our confidence in Scripture. Add to this Ehrman's contention that what we read in the New Testament represents the winners' version of events, twisted to suit their own purposes and not at all a faithful recounting of what really happened, and the case for skepticism and unbelief gives every appearance of being on solid footing. But are things really so bad off? Were the New Testament documents widely distorted by copyists? Can we in fact have no idea what was in the originals? Do we have no hope of knowing what eyewitnesses said and thought? Are other documents left out of the New Testament better sources for understanding early Christianity? While readily conceding that Ehrman has many of his facts straight, pastor and researcher Timothy Paul Jones argues that Ehrman is far too quick to jump to false and unnecessary conclusions.In clear, straightforward prose, Jones explores and explains the ins and outs of copying the New Testament, why lost Christianities were lost, and why the Christian message still rings true today.

Review Quotes

". . .a strong defence against claims from a fellow textual criticism scholar, Bart Ehrman. Fills a deeply needed void, in that it continues on Ehrman's path in making textual criticism even more accessible to readers without formal theological schooling, while systematically addressing the allegations of textual fallacy raised by Ehrman. While succesfully meeting a large swathe of charges against the validity and trustworthiness of the NT, the book is also a wonderfully easy and concise introduction to the history, background and treatment of the Gospels."

Samuel Ciszuk, Chrisendom (www.christilling.de/blog), January 23, 2009

"Misquoting Truth is an even-handed and careful rebuttal. . . . Jones makes a detailed analysis and does not give simple answers."

Christopher J. Barden for Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, March 2008

"[A]n excellent book."

Does God Exist? March/April 2008

"Ehrman raises interesting questions in his book, Misquoting Jesus.Unfortunately, he provides the wrong answers. Jones offers a fairer, more accurate presentation of the facts about the New Testament's reliability. I strongly recommend this book to pastors and lay people alike."

Pastor George P. Wood, enrichment, Fall 2008

"Good reply to Ehrman and gives direct corrections and clarifications of Ehrman's arguments against the Bible. I highly recommend the book."

Jason L. Reed, Christian Apologetics Journal,

"Handily addresses Ehrman's major complaints and criticisms in an approach that is unusually irenic and a style that is surprisingly breezy."

JoelMiller.com, August 5, 2007

"In this absorbing and easy-to-follow work, Jones carefully and courteously exposes the faulty logic behind one man's attempt to discredit the New Testament. This book is a must-read for anyone who questions biblical authority."

JenniferMcCaman in Christian Single, November 2007

"Jones is a good writer and presents the views he opposes with clarity and respect."

R. O. for Libraries Alive, Winter 2008

"This volume is well-written in an accessible tone and style."

Chris Keith, SCJ, Spring 2009

"What we have here is a very short and readable treatment that basically echoes a lot of what Ehrman said and offers alternatives to a few of the conclusions that Ehrman reached."

Nick Norelli, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, June 21, 2008

About the Author

Timothy Paul Jones (PhD) teaches apologetics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as a preaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown. In addition, he has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books, including Finding God ina Galaxy Far, Far Away; Christian History Made Easy; and, with James Garlow and April Williams, the bestselling The Da Vinci Codebreaker.