Lost Christianities

Lost Christianities

Author: Bart D. Ehrman

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2005-09-15

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 0199756686

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The early Christian Church was a chaos of contending beliefs. Some groups of Christians claimed that there was not one God but two or twelve or thirty. Some believed that the world had not been created by God but by a lesser, ignorant deity. Certain sects maintained that Jesus was human but not divine, while others said he was divine but not human. In Lost Christianities, Bart D. Ehrman offers a fascinating look at these early forms of Christianity and shows how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten. All of these groups insisted that they upheld the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, and they all possessed writings that bore out their claims, books reputedly produced by Jesus's own followers. Modern archaeological work has recovered a number of key texts, and as Ehrman shows, these spectacular discoveries reveal religious diversity that says much about the ways in which history gets written by the winners. Ehrman's discussion ranges from considerations of various "lost scriptures"--including forged gospels supposedly written by Simon Peter, Jesus's closest disciple, and Judas Thomas, Jesus's alleged twin brother--to the disparate beliefs of such groups as the Jewish-Christian Ebionites, the anti-Jewish Marcionites, and various "Gnostic" sects. Ehrman examines in depth the battles that raged between "proto-orthodox Christians"--those who eventually compiled the canonical books of the New Testament and standardized Christian belief--and the groups they denounced as heretics and ultimately overcame. Scrupulously researched and lucidly written, Lost Christianities is an eye-opening account of politics, power, and the clash of ideas among Christians in the decades before one group came to see its views prevail.


Book Synopsis Lost Christianities by : Bart D. Ehrman

Download or read book Lost Christianities written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2005-09-15 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The early Christian Church was a chaos of contending beliefs. Some groups of Christians claimed that there was not one God but two or twelve or thirty. Some believed that the world had not been created by God but by a lesser, ignorant deity. Certain sects maintained that Jesus was human but not divine, while others said he was divine but not human. In Lost Christianities, Bart D. Ehrman offers a fascinating look at these early forms of Christianity and shows how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten. All of these groups insisted that they upheld the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, and they all possessed writings that bore out their claims, books reputedly produced by Jesus's own followers. Modern archaeological work has recovered a number of key texts, and as Ehrman shows, these spectacular discoveries reveal religious diversity that says much about the ways in which history gets written by the winners. Ehrman's discussion ranges from considerations of various "lost scriptures"--including forged gospels supposedly written by Simon Peter, Jesus's closest disciple, and Judas Thomas, Jesus's alleged twin brother--to the disparate beliefs of such groups as the Jewish-Christian Ebionites, the anti-Jewish Marcionites, and various "Gnostic" sects. Ehrman examines in depth the battles that raged between "proto-orthodox Christians"--those who eventually compiled the canonical books of the New Testament and standardized Christian belief--and the groups they denounced as heretics and ultimately overcame. Scrupulously researched and lucidly written, Lost Christianities is an eye-opening account of politics, power, and the clash of ideas among Christians in the decades before one group came to see its views prevail.

Lost Christianity

Lost Christianity

Author: Jacob Needleman

Publisher: National Geographic Books

Published: 2003-08-25

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 1585422533

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Unavailable for several years, Lost Christianity is a profound reexamination of the essence of Christian thought and faith. Philosopher and bestselling author Jacob Needleman has sought out the ancient texts and modern practitioners of essential Christianity, whose message speaks directly to contemporary seekers.


Book Synopsis Lost Christianity by : Jacob Needleman

Download or read book Lost Christianity written by Jacob Needleman and published by National Geographic Books. This book was released on 2003-08-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unavailable for several years, Lost Christianity is a profound reexamination of the essence of Christian thought and faith. Philosopher and bestselling author Jacob Needleman has sought out the ancient texts and modern practitioners of essential Christianity, whose message speaks directly to contemporary seekers.

Lost Scriptures

Lost Scriptures

Author: Bart D. Ehrman

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2005-09-15

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 0195182502

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A companion volume to Lost Christianities, this remarkable anthology of long-lost Christian writings that were never included in the New Testaments includes fifteen additional gospels, thirteen epistles, five non-canonical Acts of the Apostles, Apocalypes and Secret Books, and brief introductions to each. History Dual Main. (Scripture)


Book Synopsis Lost Scriptures by : Bart D. Ehrman

Download or read book Lost Scriptures written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2005-09-15 with total page 349 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A companion volume to Lost Christianities, this remarkable anthology of long-lost Christian writings that were never included in the New Testaments includes fifteen additional gospels, thirteen epistles, five non-canonical Acts of the Apostles, Apocalypes and Secret Books, and brief introductions to each. History Dual Main. (Scripture)

Misquoting Jesus

Misquoting Jesus

Author: Bart D. Ehrman

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2009-10-06

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0061977020

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When world-class biblical scholar Bart Ehrman first began to study the texts of the Bible in their original languages he was startled to discover the multitude of mistakes and intentional alterations that had been made by earlier translators. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the Bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible. Since the advent of the printing press and the accurate reproduction of texts, most people have assumed that when they read the New Testament they are reading an exact copy of Jesus's words or Saint Paul's writings. And yet, for almost fifteen hundred years these manuscripts were hand copied by scribes who were deeply influenced by the cultural, theological, and political disputes of their day. Both mistakes and intentional changes abound in the surviving manuscripts, making the original words difficult to reconstruct. For the first time, Ehrman reveals where and why these changes were made and how scholars go about reconstructing the original words of the New Testament as closely as possible. Ehrman makes the provocative case that many of our cherished biblical stories and widely held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself stem from both intentional and accidental alterations by scribes -- alterations that dramatically affected all subsequent versions of the Bible.


Book Synopsis Misquoting Jesus by : Bart D. Ehrman

Download or read book Misquoting Jesus written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2009-10-06 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When world-class biblical scholar Bart Ehrman first began to study the texts of the Bible in their original languages he was startled to discover the multitude of mistakes and intentional alterations that had been made by earlier translators. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the Bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible. Since the advent of the printing press and the accurate reproduction of texts, most people have assumed that when they read the New Testament they are reading an exact copy of Jesus's words or Saint Paul's writings. And yet, for almost fifteen hundred years these manuscripts were hand copied by scribes who were deeply influenced by the cultural, theological, and political disputes of their day. Both mistakes and intentional changes abound in the surviving manuscripts, making the original words difficult to reconstruct. For the first time, Ehrman reveals where and why these changes were made and how scholars go about reconstructing the original words of the New Testament as closely as possible. Ehrman makes the provocative case that many of our cherished biblical stories and widely held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself stem from both intentional and accidental alterations by scribes -- alterations that dramatically affected all subsequent versions of the Bible.

The Lost Gospel Q

The Lost Gospel Q

Author: Marcus Borg

Publisher: Ulysses Press

Published: 1999-03-15

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1569751897

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Presents the original teachings of Jesus written by his contemporaries and early followers


Book Synopsis The Lost Gospel Q by : Marcus Borg

Download or read book The Lost Gospel Q written by Marcus Borg and published by Ulysses Press. This book was released on 1999-03-15 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents the original teachings of Jesus written by his contemporaries and early followers

Lost Christianities

Lost Christianities

Author: Bart D. Ehrman

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 0195182499

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An intriguing look at the early history of the Christian Church provides a study of these ancient forms of Christianity and how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten, discussing their key texts, theological beliefs, conflict with orthodoxy, historical development, and more. History Dual Main. (Religion--Christianity)


Book Synopsis Lost Christianities by : Bart D. Ehrman

Download or read book Lost Christianities written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2005 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An intriguing look at the early history of the Christian Church provides a study of these ancient forms of Christianity and how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten, discussing their key texts, theological beliefs, conflict with orthodoxy, historical development, and more. History Dual Main. (Religion--Christianity)

Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene

Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene

Author: Bart D Ehrman

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2008-04-24

Total Pages: 302

ISBN-13: 0195343506

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From the Publisher: Bart Ehrman, author of the bestsellers Misquoting Jesus and Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code, here takes readers on another engaging tour of the early Christian church, illuminating the lives of three of Jesus' most intriguing followers: Simon Peter, Paul of Tarsus, and Mary Magdalene.


Book Synopsis Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene by : Bart D Ehrman

Download or read book Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene written by Bart D Ehrman and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2008-04-24 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the Publisher: Bart Ehrman, author of the bestsellers Misquoting Jesus and Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code, here takes readers on another engaging tour of the early Christian church, illuminating the lives of three of Jesus' most intriguing followers: Simon Peter, Paul of Tarsus, and Mary Magdalene.

Forged

Forged

Author: Bart D. Ehrman

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2011-03-22

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 0062078631

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Bart D. Ehrman, the New York Times bestselling author of Jesus, Interrupted and God’s Problem reveals which books in the Bible’s New Testament were not passed down by Jesus’s disciples, but were instead forged by other hands—and why this centuries-hidden scandal is far more significant than many scholars are willing to admit. A controversial work of historical reporting in the tradition of Elaine Pagels, Marcus Borg, and John Dominic Crossan, Ehrman’s Forged delivers a stunning explication of one of the most substantial—yet least discussed—problems confronting the world of biblical scholarship.


Book Synopsis Forged by : Bart D. Ehrman

Download or read book Forged written by Bart D. Ehrman and published by Harper Collins. This book was released on 2011-03-22 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bart D. Ehrman, the New York Times bestselling author of Jesus, Interrupted and God’s Problem reveals which books in the Bible’s New Testament were not passed down by Jesus’s disciples, but were instead forged by other hands—and why this centuries-hidden scandal is far more significant than many scholars are willing to admit. A controversial work of historical reporting in the tradition of Elaine Pagels, Marcus Borg, and John Dominic Crossan, Ehrman’s Forged delivers a stunning explication of one of the most substantial—yet least discussed—problems confronting the world of biblical scholarship.

The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities

The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities

Author: Richard Valantasis

Publisher: Harmony

Published: 2007-12-18

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 0307423883

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From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity. The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing orthodoxy: the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior. From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today. This authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels’s critically acclaimed Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.


Book Synopsis The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities by : Richard Valantasis

Download or read book The Beliefnet Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities written by Richard Valantasis and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2007-12-18 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From its earliest days, Christianity has been marked by a rich diversity of beliefs and practices. Different interpretations of Jesus’ life and mission, as well as conflicting views about worship and rituals, gave rise to numerous sects in the first centuries C.E. Condemned as heretical by the official Church, these early movements were lost to history until the twentieth century, when the discovery of ancient documents opened a new perspective on the evolution of Christianity. The Beliefnet® Guide to Gnosticism and Other Vanished Christianities is a fascinating look at the diverse strands of the early Christian church. It examines the alternative Christian ideas propagated by the Gnostics, Sethians, Valentinians, Marcionites, Encratites, and Montanists, illuminating the philosophical sources and religious traditions that fostered them. Special attention is given to sects that presented the greatest challenges to the developing orthodoxy: the Hermeticists, the Manicheans, and the Neoplatonists. There are also thought-provoking discussions about the secret Gospel of Mark and the Gospels of Mary and Thomas, and the newly discovered Gospel of the Savior. From the premier source of information on religion and spirituality, the Beliefnet Guides introduce you to the major traditions, leaders, and issues of faith in the world today. This authoritative, fully accessible guide to early Christian movements sheds light on the hidden histories and intriguing mysteries that fueled the extraordinary success of books ranging from Dan Brown’s blockbuster The Da Vinci Code to Elaine Pagels’s critically acclaimed Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas.

The Missing Gospels

The Missing Gospels

Author: Darrell L. Bock

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 2007-10-07

Total Pages: 220

ISBN-13: 141857810X

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IS JESUS WHO YOU THINK HE IS? Perhaps you've heard the recent buzz about "alternative Christianities" and "new gospels." Speculations have shown up in magazines, documentaries, popular fiction, and even on the big screen. Much of the controversy stems from a library of ancient texts found at Nag Hammadi, Egypt. Now revolutionary questions about the Christian faith are being raised as a result of these findings: Is Jesus truly a divine Savior or just a teacher of wisdom? Is orthodoxy a by-product of third-century or fourth-century theologians? Did Judas betray Jesus because of evil intent or a request by Jesus? Does salvation include the physical body or just the soul? Darrell L. Bock takes you on a tour of the new claims as well as the controversial writings, examining their origins and comparing them with traditional sources. With discussion questions for group or individual study at the end of each chapter, The Missing Gospels will help you understand the messages of all of these writings so you can form your own opinion. This provocative work could even change what you believe!


Book Synopsis The Missing Gospels by : Darrell L. Bock

Download or read book The Missing Gospels written by Darrell L. Bock and published by Thomas Nelson. This book was released on 2007-10-07 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: IS JESUS WHO YOU THINK HE IS? Perhaps you've heard the recent buzz about "alternative Christianities" and "new gospels." Speculations have shown up in magazines, documentaries, popular fiction, and even on the big screen. Much of the controversy stems from a library of ancient texts found at Nag Hammadi, Egypt. Now revolutionary questions about the Christian faith are being raised as a result of these findings: Is Jesus truly a divine Savior or just a teacher of wisdom? Is orthodoxy a by-product of third-century or fourth-century theologians? Did Judas betray Jesus because of evil intent or a request by Jesus? Does salvation include the physical body or just the soul? Darrell L. Bock takes you on a tour of the new claims as well as the controversial writings, examining their origins and comparing them with traditional sources. With discussion questions for group or individual study at the end of each chapter, The Missing Gospels will help you understand the messages of all of these writings so you can form your own opinion. This provocative work could even change what you believe!