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The Greatest Controversies of Early Christian History

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The Greatest Controversies of Early Christian History

By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
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About this listen

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:

  • Did the Jews Kill Jesus?
  • Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?
  • Did the Disciples Write the Gospels?
  • Did Early Christians Accept the Trinity?
  • Is the Book of Revelation about Our Future?
  • Who Chose the Books of the New Testament?
You'll delve into the conception of the meshiach (messiah) in Jewish tradition, and the basis for the core Christian claim that a suffering messiah was predicted in the Jewish scriptures. In grasping Paul's role in the early faith, you contemplate the key differences between the teachings of Jesus himself and the Christian view of his death and resurrection. And you trace the ambiguous role in early Christianity of the Jewish scriptures, and how these books came to be accepted as the Christian Old Testament. Explore these and other intriguing questions in this unique inquiry into the core of Christian tradition.

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

©2013 The Great Courses (P)2013 The Teaching Company, LLC Christianity Tradition
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These lectures are careful. The information is good but the lecturer never draws a conclusion that is heresy, even though he delivers almost all of the information. He does reach many obvious; if Christian confronting; statements (e.g. Jesus was born in Nazarrus) but carefully limits his pronouncements in most accuracy judgments. I suppose that if you live in bible belt America you need caution. It does make you wonder about the differences between fundamental Islam and fundamentalist middle America.
Sadly, a university lecturer is not there only to deliver information, and carefully safe conclusions - but also to espouse truth as proved on their own information. To withhold it sniffs of charletanism.

No glory without guts.

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Loved these lectures! Insightful interesting and well presented by Dr Erhman, well worth a listen

Brilliant!

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The short lectures are fabulously narrated and give a well curated approach to the controversies and schisms that influenced early Christianity.

A fabulous listen

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What made the experience of listening to The Greatest Controversies of Early Christian History the most enjoyable?

Engrossing and eye-opening. Engaging narration.

What about Professor Bart D. Ehrman’s performance did you like?

Skillful narratation with a natural and engaging style.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

Should be manadatory for anyone that claims to be a devout Christian!

compelling

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I've listened to a lot of TGC content and this is one of the best so far. I'd recommend to any denomination of Christian, those of other faiths and fellow atheists. Each lecture was structured without feeling rigid and each concept was explained well, with academic rigor and sensitivity. A course on controversy was always going to be fascinating but I couldn't put it down. As interesting for what it teaches about the human condition as what it teaches about history.

Fascinating and accessible

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Throughly enjoyed it. Historic focus, rather than the religion. Recommended if you’re interested in Roman history.

Great listen

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