History of the Bible: The Making of the New Testament Canon

Course Overview

Delve into a thorough introduction to key issues in the development of Christianity in this course designed by an award-winning professor.

What different kinds of books are in the New Testament? When, how, and why were they written? And why did some books, and not others, come to be collected into what Christians consider the canon of scripture? This course provides a fast-moving yet thorough introduction to these questions and other key issues in the development of Christianity.

Designed to deepen the understanding of both Christians and non-Christians alike, the course takes a historical perspective on the development of the Bible. It explores language, oral history, and the physical limitations of spreading the written word at a time when the printing press was not yet invented. Professor Ehrman recreates the context of the canon’s assembly, helping you understand the significance of each written work for ancient Christians. As you learn how the diverse books of the New Testament came together—including the four canonical Gospels, the book of Acts, the 21 Epistles, and the book of Revelation—you’ll gain insight into the forces that shaped early Christian history.

Video Lecture List

1. The New Testament-An Overview

• 32 min
• Introducing the basic facts about the New Testament, including its contents, authors, and language.

1. Paul-Our Earliest Christian Author

• 31 min
• Explores the realities of writing letters in the ancient world and their significance in understanding Paul’s Epistles.

1. The Pauline Epistles

• 30 min
• Examines the major teachings of Paul’s Epistles and how they address issues in early Christian communities.

1. The Problem of Pseudonymity

• 31 min
• Discusses the issues of forgery in ancient writings, particularly the Pauline letters.

1. The Beginnings of the Gospel Traditions

• 31 min
• Looks at the roots of the Gospel narratives in oral traditions after Jesus’ death.

1. The Earliest Gospels

• 30 min
• Analyzes the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, including their sources and discrepancies.

1. The Other Gospels

• 31 min
• Discusses accounts of Jesus not included in the New Testament and reasons for their exclusion.

1. Apocalypticism and the Apocalypse of John

• 31 min
• Examines the Book of Revelation and its symbolic descriptions in historical context.

1. The Copyists Who Gave Us Scripture

• 31 min
• Explores early circulation of New Testament books and their significance to early Christianity.

1. Authority in the Early Church

• 31 min
• Investigates how early Christian leaders decided which books to include in the canon.

1. The Importance of Interpretation

• 30 min
• Analyzes differing interpretations of texts among early Christians and the implications of figurative readings.

1. When Did the Canon Get Finalized?

• 31 min
• Discusses how, why, and when the New Testament canon was finalized, including texts that faced inclusion or exclusion.