Within Reason #49 Christmas Special with Bart Ehrman - Did Christmas Really Happen?
36 snips
Dec 23, 2023 New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman explores the history and contradictions surrounding Jesus' birth in the New Testament. They discuss the pagan roots of Christmas and its connection to Saturnalia. The chapter explores the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke, highlighting differences and shared themes. The prophetic perfect tense and prophecy fulfillment are explored, as well as contradictions in the birth narratives and a historical contradiction in the gospel. The concept and significance of the virgin birth are discussed, including the possibility of Joseph being Jesus' father.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Christmas Origins
- Early Christians didn't celebrate Christmas for the first 300 years, focusing on Easter instead.
- Christmas emerged later, possibly influenced by pagan traditions like Saturnalia and gift-giving.
Genre of Birth Narratives
- The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke resemble ancient biographies of significant figures, often including spectacular birth stories.
- These were likely intended as historical accounts, fitting the genre of the time.
Independent Traditions
- Matthew and Luke's birth narratives share core themes but differ significantly in details, suggesting independent traditions.
- A comparison of the two accounts reveals their distinct storylines.