Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Did the Winners Write the Bible?
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Oct 27, 2026 
Bart D. Ehrman, a leading New Testament scholar and bestselling author, explores the fierce theological rivalries that shaped early Christianity. He discusses competing beliefs about Jesus, alternative gospels, the rise of orthodoxy, and how church leaders selected texts for the canon. He also examines scribal changes, including the famous passage about Jesus sweating blood, and tests his Bible trivia skills.
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Orthodoxy Meant The Side That Won
- Historians use “orthodoxy” for the Christianity that eventually dominated, not necessarily for the objectively correct theology.
- “Proto-orthodox” describes second- and third-century groups whose beliefs anticipated later creeds before a unified orthodoxy existed.
The Creed Of The Winning Tradition
- Later orthodox Christianity emphasized one creator God, Christ’s equal divinity and humanity, salvation through death and resurrection, and a 27-book canon.
- These positions became “obvious” Christian beliefs largely because the groups holding them ultimately prevailed.
Heresy Was Sometimes The Majority
- Early Christianity contained groups teaching multiple gods, secret-knowledge salvation, an illusory crucifixion, or an evil creator.
- Walter Bauer’s research found that views later labeled heretical were majorities in many regions, while Rome was the notable exception.
