Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman The Surprising Truth Behind "Love Thy Neighbor"
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Mar 17, 2026 
Bart Ehrman, New Testament scholar and bestselling author, explains how ancient languages shaped meanings of love. He contrasts Greek and Jewish concepts, explores agapao versus phileo, and shows how Jesus reframed love as concrete action toward outsiders, enemies, and the needy. The conversation highlights translation puzzles and the shift from emotion to self-giving behavior.
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Bart's Honest Reaction To Negative Reviews
- Bart Ehrman admits he doesn't handle negative reviews well and often avoids seeking them out.
- He notes scholars are territorial and many reviews misread works, so he relies on being told about prominent negative critiques.
Love Was Not Invented By Christianity
- Love was widely discussed in the ancient world, not invented by Christianity.
- Aristotle and Plato wrote treatises on love, showing Greeks had rich concepts of love before Jesus.
Biblical Love Often Means Duty Not Emotion
- Biblical commands to love are often about duties, not feelings.
- Deuteronomy's Shema 'love the Lord' means worship and devotion rather than an emotional sensation.
