An expected historical perspective sans God

I was interested to listen to this lecture series in order to get some insights into the Roman environment during the beginning and growth of the church. While these were present in the lecture, they were few and far between the constant conjecture and supposition that apparently is the definition of the modern "historical view." It would make sense that skepticism would be required when reviewing the writings of mankind through the ages, however when discussing the claim of the Bible that it is the word of the one almighty God, the approach of skeptically backing into its history without establishing the potential of its divine authorship seems quite backwards. Flippant assumptions are made as the lecturer citing "scholars" fully deletes entire portions of the New Testament shortly before he makes profound statements such as "If only Paul would have given more detail" - ignorantly failing to recognize that that detail is present elsewhere. Many of his comments seem to have elementary mistakes such as claims of all the gospels being anonymously written when John identifies himself in the writing; failing to see the existence of basic Messianic threads in prophecy (Ultimately what prophecy is) of the Old Testament and instead proclaiming them only relative to the events of that time, and claiming quite profoundly that Jesus practiced Judaism and not Christianity - thus fully failing to recognize the division of the covenants and what Jesus life accomplished in the fulfillment of the law.

Not to spoil the lecture, but the lecturer's conclusion to how "Christian triumphed" is ultimately that "un-learned" Christians some how deceived millions in the Roman empire that miracles had existed. Of course is it implied heavily by the author/lecturer that the existence of such miracles would be ridiculous - thus turning Christians into con-artists instead of evangelists; Spreaders of a different kind of darkness instead of spreaders of light. I would assume that the author would have no issue giving an alternate title to the series as "The Great Deception of Christianity."

Ultimately, while I understand his approach in an attempt to maintain objectivity, an examination of the history of the Bible without first addressing whether its claim that the all-powerful God wrote it always falls flat as evidenced by nearly every book, television series, etc that takes the approach. If the One God wrote the Bible, then its claims of infallibility, being the source of truth, and being the way in which men should walk must be baseline to the understanding of its commands and history. If it wasn't written by the all-powerful God and was just written by men, then it is self-condemned by those same claims and should be avoided completely. That issue must be addressed and be part of a truly "objective" view of the Bible historically/scientifically/theologically. In ever case I've seen in scholarship, the Bible is simply viewed - as it is in this lecture - as a set of man-made principles that "won out" through citing the authority of an all-powerful God that, in the view of Scholarship, is a fairy tale. They then try to figure out the humanistic reason as to why it was successful while denying the Divine power of the message manifested in the lives of Christians. It seems like trying to understand the DNA that makes a person who he is while denying half of the proteins in the strand exist. No matter your efforts, you simply won't arrive anywhere near a true conclusion.

With all this said, I will listen to more of this author's lectures as he has done tremendous research regarding the first century church history as well as details surrounding the canonization of the New Testament. Some of what he says will prove inciteful as supplemental knowledge to the basic truths I see authored by the Creator in the Bible. Some of what he says will be another proof point of 1 Corinthians 1:21; 23-24 (A passage that the author says "really is" a writing of Paul by the way) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save thos who believe.... To Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

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Wow

I prefer to listen to courses which are above education level. This one isn't. I have read enough second temple sources to notice large issues in the assumptions Barty Boy sells as fact.

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Poor narration. Couldn't listen.

The narrator sounded like a high-pitched man and was uneasy to listen to. I stopped listening and marked it as finished.

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Went by too fast! Wish there were more

Only complaint is that I wish there were more lectures! Dr Ehrman presents a complicated and often sensitive subject in an even handed and easily understandable way.

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Powerful & Compelling

Wow. That final chapter was breathtaking. It was a brilliant summary taking in the strengths and weaknesses of Christianity and created reflection and philosophical self re-examination. Every chapter builds to this stunning climax. Excellent!

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Unbiased look at how Christianity came to dominate

Extremely engaging perspective of the rise of Christianity. The author explains his perspective as an agnostic atheist but doesn't push it down your throat amd so he remains largely unbiased.

Even as a Christian (albeit a liberal open minded one) I appreciate his secular explanation for how Christianity came to dominate), I think his view could work in congruence with the idea that the rise of Christianity had a divine influence.

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more like 50 starts!

I had chills the last 20 minutes. I can't unknow this now. Thank you for sharing your brilliance

skip final lecture.

this is a interesting look at the early growth of Christianity from a secular perspective. I just advise you skip the final lecture. it's basically a steep nose dive into leftist propaganda. if you like modern politics forced into a history course then you may like it. I just think it was completely inappropriate. the rest though is great.

Enjoyable

Bart Ehrman is brilliant and this is a fascinating course about a significant point in world history and religion.

The Triumph of Professor Bart D. Ehrman

Once again Professor Erhman delivers profound wisdom, insight and experience in his lectures. Every session is interesting and compelling.