#435 Dr. Bart Ehrman - Heaven & Hell: Perspectives on the After Life

Dr. Bart Ehrman - Heaven & Hell: Perspectives on the After Life Smithsonian Associates, The Not Old Better Show Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, I’m Paul Vogelzang and this is episode #435. It’s great to be back with you all, and thanks for all the warm wishes of health and advice about social distancing.  We are in a new world, paradigm and set of circumstances, and everyone listening is aware of the current health emergency gripping our country and our world. We’re back with another great segment today, and as part of our Smithsonian Associates author interview series, we are joined today by author, historian, Christianity scholar, and expert on Jesus Christ and the New Testament, Dr. Bart Ehrman. Dr. Bart Ehrman will be appearing at the Smithsonian Associates program, September 12, 2020, and the title of his presentation is Heaven and Hell: Perspectives on the Afterlife Please know that Smithsonian Associates programs scheduled through May 3 are on hold. Smithsonian Associates patrons will be notified of any status changes, location changes, credits, or refund opportunities. Please check out the Smithsonian Associates pages, and our web site for links with more information about this very much in flux program. According to the most recent Pew Research Center poll, 72% of all Americans believe in literal heaven as a place of eternal blessing for departed souls, and 58% believe in a literal hell and its eternal torments. But even though Christians have held these ideas for centuries, they are not found anywhere in the Old Testament or even in the teachings of the historical Jesus. So where did they come from? Were they simply invented? And, what about Eleanor Shellstrop, the wonderful character from the hit TV show, The Good Place, who desperately works to avoid the afterlife she deserves,  and its eternal torments. Let’s listen as  Dr. Bart Ehrman reads from his new book, Heaven And Hell, A History of the Afterlife about the afterlife and more.  Please join me in welcoming back to The Not Old Better Sho Talk About Better™ The Not Old Better Show on Radio & Podcast! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.