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After the New Testament: The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers
- Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
- Series: The Great Courses: Christianity
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
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Publisher's Summary
The writings that make up the New Testament stand at the very foundation of Christianity. But while Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the other books of the New Testament are known to almost everyone, the writings that Christians produced in the decades that followed these earliest compositions remain shrouded in virtual anonymity. Who were the Apostolic Fathers? Why were they given that name? And what windows into the shaping of Christianity's canon, church hierarchy, and creed are opened for us with an understanding of works that include the letters of 1 Clement or Ignatius, the Didache of the Apostles, or the Letter to Diognetus?
These 24 lectures introduce what is considered the most important collection of post-New Testament writings. Although largely unknown and unread, these writings provide a treasure trove of insights into Christianity, and they are crucial to understanding the development of a religion that was shaped largely outside the pages of the New Testament itself.
From the struggle for power and the beginnings of church hierarchy to electrifying 19th-century discoveries, this course is an extremely useful addition to the shelves of anyone who is fascinated by the history of ancient Christianity and its evolution into the dominant religion it is today.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about After the New Testament: The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Robert
- 2020-03-19
A Very Informative, Enjoyable Learning Experience
A very open, academic investigation into early Christianity. The lecturer combines academic distance with investigatory curiosity for a pleasing and educational experience.
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- Michael
- 2017-11-01
Helpful, biased, informative, broad
I'm impressed with Ehrman's breadth, but his depth is lacking. He manages to give an overview of a vast range of topics, but he often selects narrow possibilities and makes them probabilities and then builds whole theories on them, without properly considering other options or acknowledging the potential flaws in his conclusions. But overall I enjoyed hearing his insights into the writings of the earliest Apostolic fathers and their impact on the development of early Christianity.
11 people found this helpful
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- Brandon
- 2015-11-11
Intriguing and engaging
I found this lecture series to be a really helpful guide into early Christianity in terms of development of doctrine, hierarchy, and the rise of orthodoxy. While he may challenge certain people's faith through the lecture, I think the work is in the end a growing experience for both the believer and nonbeliever.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jacobus
- 2014-04-14
Typical Ehrmanish account of the Apostolic Fathers
Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Bart D. Ehrman?
Definitely yes. I have tried a few Great Courses and found them to be very interesting and informative. I have read or listened almost all prof. Ehrman's popular books. At this point it feels that a lot of what he teaches is just presented in new packaging.
What aspect of Professor Bart D. Ehrman’s performance would you have changed?
I think he sometimes fall over his words and begins to 'uhm' especially when he says something that might be a bit controversial. It could be that speaking to an imaginative crowd could enhance his uncertainty.
Was After the New Testament: The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers worth the listening time?
Yes, though a lot seems to be ideas that I have come across in some of his other works. I hoped to learn more about the Apostolic Fathers than the brief summaries he would give of each book. That said, there are some very interesting comments and facts that made it worthwhile.
Any additional comments?
While not the best Great Courses lectures series, it is well worth the time to listen to.
8 people found this helpful
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- chadpdodge
- 2020-11-12
Great insight into the early church
Great insight into the early christianity and overview of the aposlitic father's. I would recommend to people interested in the early church
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- Rob Goody
- 2019-04-06
Essential historical information.
It's fine for an individual to have their own personal theology, but if they insist on pushing those beliefs onto others, they need to understand where their doctrines originated. Dr. Ehrman explores texts that have had a profound effect on modern day Christianity in this lecture series. It is essential that one considers this data and how Christianity evolved since the death of Jesus before they judge and attempt to push their beliefs in others.
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- First review
- 2018-08-24
Awesome historical context and great introduction overall
I’d just wish he believing for getting an even greater rich theology as part of this course! Overall very nice book
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- Mike Bowers
- 2016-07-25
I can't wait to listen to it a second time.
Professor Ehrman makes a complex subject easy and fun! It is engaging and relevant.
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- William
- 2014-03-28
Wow! VERY disappointed. Was hoping for better
Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Bart D. Ehrman?
Yes to the great courses - in fact, I have listened to several and have several more in my wishlist. My reviews of them have been favorable.
No to Ehrman. He is too subjective and far and away too repetitive. His theological, ideological and historical perspectives could have been stated in about half the time, which would make the actual material only take 1/4 of the time recorded.
In other words, he is awfully wrapped up in his own views and his (almost arrogant) take on history the early church and Christianity.
I understand that the church and Christianity was a theological and spiritual evolutionary process. There are certain paths taken that could have gone another direction - so state it once and move on. Not everyone is an impressionable, malleable college freshman who needs to be convinced that Prof. Ehrman's understanding is the only correct one.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
Please, Modern scholar - stop this man before he teaches again!
What three words best describe Professor Bart D. Ehrman’s voice?
understandable, tolerable and average
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No - it would make a lousy movie - but the biased take is just fanciful enough to make it as a History Channel 'documentary'
Any additional comments?
Honestly - I cannot recommend this book to Christians, agnostics or atheists. It is so biased toward his 'Historical Jesus' claims that the authority or genuineness of any writings from the Church Fathers cannot come through untarnished.
Overall, I thought this was one of the worst Modern Scholar lectures I have ever listened to and I have listened to a lot from them.
18 people found this helpful
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- Jonathan
- 2015-02-21
Very interesting topic, professor lacked
In comparison to other Great Courses I have listened to, I think that the Teaching Company could have found someone to do a better job. Not that Prof. Ehrman did a poor job - far from it! But performance was not outstanding, which I understood to be the main objective of the "great" courses.
He is extremely knowledgeable and does a great job of communicating many of the interesting relationships and points of significance in the documents.
However, he came across as very proud; quite puffed up, like so many academics, about himself and his interpretation of the ancient writing, which is so far superior to that of any to come before him. This, to me, took away from the content. Pity.
I may just have an allergy to inflated academics...so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Overall, good job!
3 people found this helpful
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- Stephen Barber
- 2018-08-06
leaves you wanting more...insightful
A lecture series that is not over your head...leaves you wanting more. Appears to have no axe to grind.