Converging Dialogues #387 - Ancient Christianities: A Dialogue with Paula Fredriksen
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Nov 25, 2024 
Paula Fredriksen, a distinguished historian of ancient Christianity and author, engages in a deep dialogue about the many forms of early Christianity. She discusses the contradictions found in the New Testament, the complex integration of Jews and pagans, and how these dynamics shaped identities among early Christians. Fredriksen unravels the historical context of the crucifixion narratives, examines the political influences of Constantine, and underscores the significance of asceticism. Her insights reveal how understanding this diversity is crucial for grasping modern Christian variations.
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Christianity Was Plural From The Start
- Early Christianity was multiple, contested movements rather than a single unified body.
- Paul’s letters already show deep intra-Christian disagreements in the mid-first century.
Gospels Are Rhetoric, Not Straight History
- The Gospels are rhetorical religious texts, not transparent historical reports.
- Matthew and Luke craft different birth narratives to resolve theological problems about Jesus' origins.
Practical Religious Pluralism In The Empire
- The Roman Mediterranean accepted many local gods and ethnic religions side by side.
- Jews and pagans regularly interacted, creating practical pluralism despite identity rhetoric.