One of the first bearded images of Christ, late 4th cent.; Catacomb of Commodilla, Rome
The growth of the Christian church from a tiny sect of Jesus’ close followers to a major world religion was not smooth and seamless. Christians faced controversy on every front—externally with both pagans and Jews and internally with various Christian groups holding diverse theological views struggling for dominance. Bart Ehrman, a leading authority on early Christianity, the New Testament, and the life of Jesus, explores four major controversies encountered by the early Christians, each of which influenced the religion’s shape for centuries to come.
9:30–10:45 a.m. Why did the Romans Hate the Christians?
Ehrman discusses how early Christians were not widely seen as upstanding Romans, but were condemned as anti-social atheists who engaged in flagrantly immoral and dangerous ritual practices. He also considers the persecutions they experienced as a result.
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. When Did Christianity Become Anti-Jewish?
Although Jesus and his disciples were Jewish, later followers entered into antagonistic relations with Jews who refused to acknowledge him as the messiah. Explore how a Jewish sect eventually became a virulently anti-Jewish religion.
12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own)
1:30–2:45 p.m. Did Early Christians Worship Three Gods?
Some of the theological disputes that wracked the early Church went to the very heart of the Christian faith. Was Christ God? Was the Spirit also God? If so, weren’t there three Gods? How does one make sense of the ultimate resolution: a doctrine of the Trinity comprising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all God and yet only one God?
3–4:15 p.m. How Did Christians Get the Bible?
Numerous books allegedly written by apostolic authorities were in circulation in the early church, including Gospels connected with Jesus’ brothers Thomas and James, and another connected with Mary Magdalene. A discussion of why, when, and how the church finally settled on which books to include in the New Testament.
Ehrman is the James A. Gray distinguished professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
