A conversation with literary scholar Harold Bloom

with Harold Bloom
in Lifestyle, Religion, Books
on Thursday, October 27, 2005 * * * * *

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A conversation with renowned literary scholar and Sterling professor at Yale Harold Bloom about his book "Jesus and Yahweh: The Names Divine".

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Keywords:
Shakespeare critic
Harold Bloom
religion
literary scholar

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    1. Brian Margolis  06/28/2008 06:27 PM Report

      In general, I agree with Harold Bloom’s theological thoughts, but not with his political ones. When Charlie Rose said in this interview “There’s something there”, referring to Jesus’ enduring popularity, Bloom’s answer was insufficient. Jesus was put to death for a political crime [sedition\ not a spiritual one. But there is no such thing as a “spiritual crime”. Is there? According to the Catholic Church there used to be, and perhaps still is. Then along came Martin Luther and Modernity. But this is part of the problem. The political reality, in which Jesus and other Jews lived in back then, was, over the decades immediately following Jesus’ execution, edited and codified out of the first version of the New Testament. The New Testament does not report the brutal occupation of Judea by Rome. Hence we are left with a lofty and bucolic picture in which this individual “willingly gave his life” for the future transgressions of people he doesn’t even know. To get to the point of this post: human beings are lazy. They will take the path of least resistance especially when it comes to matters of salvation. You mean all I have to do is believe in him and all my transgressions from the past, present, and future will be wiped clean and I can start fresh? That’s just like reformatting my hard drive. I can do that in a few minutes – even instantaneously. But what do I learn about myself in the process? Nothing! How do I evolve spiritually? I don’t! What sorts of examples have I collected to learn from to not repeat the same mistakes in the future? None! Not only that, but I can use the false story that was handed down to me in the New Testament to chastise Jews who had a three thousand year spiritual head start, and I don’t even read Hebrew. Wow – OK, sign me up!! All this is not to suggest that Jews cannot learn anything from Christians – because they can, and should.

    2. MA  06/16/2008 05:45 PM Report

      I love Bloom, but it's sad to see him acting paranoid about America becoming a theocracy. The odds are remote and even ludicrous.

    3. Joe  05/28/2008 12:54 AM Report

      Harold Bloom is the most pretentious person I've ever heard speak. I can't stand the man. I don't blame Charlie for interrupting when the professor babbles on incoherently merely to satisfy his own egotistical desire to hear himself speak.

    4. Thomas   05/05/2008 08:15 PM Report

      As far as the aforecriticized "interruptions" mentioned above, Charlie, you are let off the hook for your ego's naturally delusional (and therefore unnecessary, however unwitting) defenses of your Real Self. Any ego must give voice to the biases that its social world constructs. Your heart, I confirm for all, is pure -- like any heart. You are closer than most to the Kingdom within. Keep leading by example.

    5. Ozi  09/30/2007 07:44 PM Report

      This interview is a treasure trove of enormous worth. Harold Bloom is a fascinating man. Inspiring.

    6. Jessica  09/09/2007 02:41 AM Report

      Your show is a GIFT. Thank you for the web site that makes it possible for these interviews to be available.

    7. mikekudirka  07/15/2007 05:56 AM Report

      Charlie,

      I love your show, it's one of the most positive aspects of American broadcasting. At the risk of sounding crude, I would recommend that you review your interviewing style as regards Harold Bloom. Compare your style from the 1998 interview to the 2005 one. I think that you gave him much more room to speak his views without interruption in 1998. I've noticed that in the past couple of years, you've been interrupting more, perhaps with the intention that it will arouse deeper aspects to the conversation. I don't think this is as effective as giving them ample space to think and speak.

      cheers...

    8. Sophie  06/05/2007 03:23 AM Report

      I absolutely love Charlie Rose! Marvelous interview as always =)

    9. Santiago  05/26/2007 10:33 PM Report

      Charlie Rose is such a gift to America. Keep on keepin' on, Charlie!

    10. jim  05/02/2007 12:07 AM Report

      I love this interview. Thanks for making it available.