Syllabus Entry 14

Misquoting Jesus: The Story About Who Changed the Bible and Why

While Misquoting Jesus is not a book arguing directly for atheism, it has profoundly influenced countless readers by challenging assumptions about the Bible's reliability and divine preservation. Renowned New Testament textual scholar Bart D. Ehrman explains how the biblical manuscripts were copied by hand over centuries, introducing thousands of textual variations through both accidental errors and intentional changes. In clear, engaging prose, he shows why modern scholars can often identify these alterations and what they reveal about the development of early Christianity. For many readers, the book serves as a gateway to biblical criticism by demonstrating that Scripture has a complex human history rather than descending unchanged from heaven. For its scholarly accessibility, historical significance, and lasting impact on how people evaluate Christianity's foundational text, Misquoting Jesus deserves its place as the number fourteen atheist book.