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

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

By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
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Publisher's Summary

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 came to consider the canon of scripture that would define their belief for all time? With these 12 lectures, get a fast-moving yet thorough introduction to these and other key issues in the development of Christianity. Designed to deepen the understanding of both Christians and non-Christians alike, this lecture series takes as its perspective the historical, rather than the theological, issues behind the development of the Bible. And it's an illuminating perspective, indeed, ranging across issues of language, oral history, the physical limitations of spreading the written word at a time when the printing press lay far in the future, and, of course, the theological forces that were shaping Christianity, molding a commonly accepted canon from the various expressions of the faith spreading across the ancient world. Professor Ehrman recreates the context of the times in which the canon was being assembled so that you can understand what the message of each written work would have meant to ancient Christians. You'll come to see how the diverse books of the New Testament were gathered together into the form we now know, whether it's the four canonical Gospels (whose authorship was only attributed by later Christians), the book of Acts, the 21 Epistles, or the book of Revelation (sometimes called the Apocalypse of John).

These lectures are a compelling introduction not only to the development of the Christian canon, but to all of the forces that would play a role in early Christian history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2005 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2005 The Great Courses

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    4 out of 5 stars

A fascinating study

This is a very clear and well researched study into the history of the New Testament. The presentations are appropriately structured and clearly presented. It also whets the appetite for more.

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3 people found this helpful

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Not Christian teacher

The teacher talks against the bible and is not a Christian. I am not happy.

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A very interesting course

I inhaled this course, it was fascinating. I really enjoy the courses by this teacher, this is my third course by him.

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Honest, funny and thought provoking

I find Prof Bart Ehrman an engaging and mind opening teacher. This work is important as a way into understanding the books that have shaped our culture and the thinking of so many people today. Never have history lessons been more relevant. Thank you so much for your scholarship and your ability to communicate what you have learned to the rest of the world.

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