Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman

Discover the vibrant world of ancient Mediterranean religions and how they contrast with the singular God of Israel. Delve into the emotional dynamics of anthropomorphic deities as you explore their interconnectedness with daily life. Unravel the evolution from polytheism to monotheism and its implications for Judaism and Christianity. The podcast also highlights the uniqueness of the God of Israel, revealing insights that challenge conventional views on divinity. Plus, stay tuned for exciting educational updates in biblical studies!

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Chris Frilingos, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, unpacks the surprising scholarly consensus on the historical authenticity of Jesus' early life. He delves into the nuances of gospel narratives, highlighting the cultural and theological significance behind differing accounts in Matthew and Luke. Frilingos also explores non-canonical texts like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, shedding light on their roles in shaping early Christian stories. Plus, a sneak peek into a new course on 'Demons and Ghosts in the Bible' adds a thrilling layer!

Seeing or hearing a Bible verse being pulled out of a hat to support someone’s argument is a common experience for many people. Homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says so. Satan is the bad guy because the Bible says so. Women should wear modest clothing because the Bible says so. But does the Bible say so? My guest today, Dr. Dan McClellan, is no stranger to engaging in biblical debates, and is here to talk about how and why the Bible is used in this way, and whether such arguments are ever valid or useful.

Demons and ghosts have specific, sometimes ambiguous, places in the modern imagination - demons tempt people to wickedness, but their incredible power can be harnessed by someone brave (or stupid) enough to bargain with them. Ghosts envy the living and can haunt and harm you, but can also be the comforting presence of a long-dead loved one. What role, though, did demons and ghosts take in early Christianity, and are those roles linked at all to our modern understandings of them? When you get right down to it, just who is Satan, and is God's adversary really a fallen angel? Dr. Travis Proctor joins me today to talk about all of this, and so much more!

As Easter approaches, the podcast dives into the intriguing debates around Jesus' resurrection among early Christians. It explores how interpretations varied from bodily resurrection to spiritual concepts, influenced by both Gnostic and proto-orthodox views. The conversation touches on pagan perspectives and the philosophical challenges they posed. Additionally, it discusses the historical context of Gospel authorship and how these diverse beliefs shaped early Christian thought, showcasing a fascinating intersection of theology and culture.

The discussion dives into the controversial 'tradwife' movement, juxtaposing it with biblical teachings on gender roles. It reevaluates the Apostle Paul's views, presenting evidence that challenges the perception of him as a misogynist. The podcast highlights prominent women in early Christianity, like Phoebe and Junia, shedding light on their critical contributions. Finally, it critiques historical interpretations that have sidelined these figures, igniting a conversation about gender equality in faith communities today.

It’s not every day that you get to talk about an exciting new discovery in biblical studies - the ravages of time mean that it’s rare for a text to survive, especially a complete text! Even rarer is a complete text that records an entire sermon given by Jesus. Well, I’m excited to say that today is one of those days! Dr. Bart Ehrman is with me to talk about his take on a fascinating new text discovered recently in Egypt!

Joan Taylor, Professor Emerita of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism, dives into her insights on the early life of Jesus, a often-overlooked topic in biblical studies. She discusses the historical context of Judea during Jesus' childhood, challenging simplified narratives. The importance of oral storytelling traditions in shaping memory is explored, along with Jesus' complex Judean-Galilean identity. Taylor highlights Jesus' Davidic lineage and its implications for his messianic role, while also examining skepticism surrounding nativity accounts.

Early Christian writings from outside the New Testament contain some pretty unexpected material - a giant walking, talking cross and Jesus’ childhood pastime of bringing clay birds to life are both examples that we’ve discussed before. But do these additional documents also contain authentic sayings of Jesus that are overlooked by Christians because they’re not contained within the New Testament?

Picture this: a man in his 80s trying to cross the street, but the traffic doesn’t pause for long enough for him to cross. A young woman notices his difficulty, and runs over to help. Does the young woman get any kind of benefit from her action, or is it entirely thankless? Today, Dr. Bart Ehrman and I are talking about altruism. Is it possible to do a good deed without experiencing some kind of benefit?