Forged (book)

It has often been said that it was an accepted practice in antiquity for a writer to attribute his work to a well-known figure from the past, or a teacher who has greatly influenced him. Forged contends that this is incorrect and the practice would have been condemned as dishonest by all authorities in antiquity. Falsely attributed writings are often referred to as "pseudepigraphs" but Ehrman maintains that the more honest term is "forgery". The book posits that 11 or more books out of the 27 books of the Christian New Testament canon were written as forgeries.[1] In his book, Ehrman points out numerous inconsistencies which he finds within the New Testament which appear to support many of his claims, such as the fact that in Acts 4:13 the statement is made that both Peter and John were illiterate,[2] yet in later years entire books of the Bible were then alleged to have been written by them.

The book was positively reviewed by the Library Journal.[3]

United Methodist pastor and biblical scholar Ben Witherington III (Asbury Theological Seminary) wrote a long and detailed critique of Ehrman's positions in his blog.[4] Presbyterian pastor and biblical scholar Michael J. Kruger (Reformed Theological Seminary) also wrote a detailed critique of Ehrman's book in the website of The Gospel Coalition.[5]

• Jesus, Interrupted, another New York Times bestseller by Ehrman
• Misquoting Jesus, a New York Times bestseller by Ehrman