The Greatest Controversies of Early Christian History

Overview

Uncover secrets and learn the truth behind some of the most persistent and provocative controversies of early Christianity in this gripping course by noted biblical scholar and New York Times best-selling author Bart D. Ehrman.

Without the presence of Christianity, our world would be considerably different. Whether we view it in religious, social, or political terms, Christianity has deeply and integrally influenced the Western worldview and way of life. Yet, throughout Christian history, compelling controversies have existed surrounding the faith’s first three centuries, when it grew from a persecuted sect into a powerful religion. These controversies bring into question many commonly accepted beliefs about Christianity.

In this course, an award-winning professor and New York Times best-selling author offers a penetrating investigation of the 24 most pivotal controversies, shedding light on fallacies that obscure an accurate view of the religion and how it evolved into what it is today. In each lecture, you’ll delve into a key issue in Christianity’s early development:

Video Lectures

• Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?

32 min

Consider why the controversies of early Christianity matter and explore critical differences in perspectives.

2. Was Jesus’s Mother a Virgin?

27 min

Assess the theological underpinnings of belief in the virgin birth and the role of Mary as a divine figure.

• Did Jesus Have a Twin Brother?

25 min

Explore the controversy regarding Jesus’s siblings and the implications it had for early Christians.

• Is Jesus in the Dead Sea Scrolls?

28 min

Discover how the Dead Sea Scrolls provide insight into the historical Jesus and Jewish life.

• Did Jesus Expect to See the World’s End?

33 min

Investigate scholars’ views on Jesus as an apocalyptic prophet and the teachings regarding the kingdom of God.

• How Close Were Jesus and Mary Magdalene?

26 min

Trace the church tradition and facts concerning Mary Magdalene’s role in Jesus’s ministry.

• Was Jesus Married?

26 min

Investigate early Jewish marriage practices and the significance of celibacy in Jesus’s teachings.

• What Secrets Did Judas Betray?

28 min

Delve into the historical record of Judas and the nature of his betrayal of Jesus.

• Did the Jews Kill Jesus?

30 min

Investigate the events surrounding Jesus’s death and the implications for Jewish-Christian relations.

• Was Pontius Pilate a Secret Christian?

28 min  

Study portrayals of Pontius Pilate in the context of Christian storytelling and his involvement in Jesus’s death.

• Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?

28 min  

Learn about ancient views of resurrection and the conviction among the first believers regarding Jesus's resurrection.

• Did the Jews Expect a Suffering Messiah?

25 min  

Analyze the early Jewish conception of the messiah and the Christian claims about Jesus's suffering.

• Is Paul the Real Founder of Christianity?

27 min  

Explore the differences in teachings between Jesus and Paul and Paul's role in early Christianity.

• Did the Disciples Write the Gospels?

30 min  

Investigate the authorship of the New Testament Gospels and their implications for historical understanding.

• Does the New Testament Contain Forgeries?

31 min  

Trace the phenomenon of literary forgery in the early church and its effects on the New Testament writings.

• Is the Book of Revelation about Our Future?

28 min  

Learn about the genre of apocalyptic literature and the intended message of Revelation’s contents.

• Who Were the Original Christians?

28 min  

Explore the diversity of Christianity in the 2nd century and the various groups claiming the original faith.

18. Is the True Jesus in the Gnostic Gospels?

30 min  

Highlight contrasts in theological views of Jesus among early Christian groups.

• What Happened to the Apostles?

28 min  

Distinguish fact from legend regarding the later lives of Jesus’s apostles through non-canonical texts.

• Was Christianity an Illegal Religion?

27 min  

Examine the relationship of early Christians with the Roman state and the perceptions that led to their persecution.

21. Is the Old Testament a Christian Book?

28 min  

Investigate the significance of Jewish scriptures in the lives of Jesus and how they became a Christian text.

22. Did Early Christians Accept the Trinity?

28 min  

Learn about the evolution of the understanding of Jesus’s divinity and the historical context of the Arian controversy.

• Do We Have the Original New Testament?

31 min  

Explore the production and preservation of biblical texts and their historical inconsistencies.

• Who Chose the Books of the New Testament?

32 min  

Delve into how the final form of the New Testament was established and why Christianity remains prone to controversy.