The Intriguing Portrayal of Mary's Birth and Life in the Proto-Gospel of James

Dec 19, 2023 | The Proto-Gospel of James, a kind of "Gospel Before the Gospels," was one of the most influential non-canonical writings throughout the Middle Ages. The narrative does not focus on the life of Jesus but on the supernatural birth, young life, betrothal, and pregnancy of his mother Mary. From this Gospel come many traditions that remain important in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions (Joseph was an old many; Mary was a perpetual virgin; Jesus' "brothers" were sons of Joseph from a previous marriage); and the accounts it presents -- the miraculous birth of Mary, her upbringing in the temple, the details of her giving birth, and, well, a postpartum inspection to make sure she was a virgin -- are fascinating to readers of any religious or non-religious persuasion. But what's it really all about? In this special episode, Bart interviews an expert on the Proto-Gospel, Christopher Frilingos, Professor at Michigan State University, in order to find out

Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus.

Dec 26, 2023

Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?

Dec 6, 2023

Does the Bible Condemn Homosexuality? Guest Interview with Jeffrey Siker

Mar 14, 2023

CAUTION: This erudite discussion of the sensitive issue of homosexuality, especially for religious people, is NOT suitable for children at all. It is also not suitable for people who are easily shocked or offended. Beware! But it should be noted that Bart Ehrman is a leading authority on Christianity and the Bible. So is Jeffrey Siker. This is no frivolous discussion! – Mark Alexander

Does the Bible Condemn Homosexuality? Guest Interview with Jeffrey Siker | Reupload

Mar 14, 2023

A Scholar's Revelation: Bart Ehrman's Reasons for Not Being a Christian | The Rational Roundtable

Jul 23, 2023

Slavery in the Bible

Jul 18, 2023 | Many Jews and Christians today are uncomfortable with the views of slavery in the Bible; the practice is simply assumed, it is normally condoned, and it is never condemned. Even so, some Christian apologists argue that the Bible actively disapproves of slavery and was instrumental in opposing it in the modern era. But is that right? In this episode I interview one of the premiere experts on the question, Dr. Josh Bowen, who has written two books on the matter; in our discussion he explains what the Bible really says about slavery and how we can put its statements, assumptions, and laws in its own context instead of thinking that it fits comfortably in ours. Dr. Bowen's latest book, Did the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?, is available on Amazon.

The Divine Moses: Jewish Views on the Prophet | #shorts

Bart Ehrman talks about this here.

Bart Ehrman: Living "Happier" without God | #shorts

Click here to hear Bart Ehrman, the New Testament scholar, talking about the “garbage” of an afterlife.

Did Jesus Even Claim to Be God? Bart Ehrman Says No...

Jun 19, 2023

Does the Bible Condemn Homosexuality? Guest Interview with Jeffrey Siker

Mar 14, 2023 | One of the few ways people today actually appeal to the Old Testament is to condemn same-sex sexual relations (while they ignore much of everything else it says). Such people usually take it as obvious that the New Testament condemns them as well. But DOES the Bible condemn homosexuality? As it turns this a lively debate among biblical scholars, and the dominant view among critical scholars is not at all what you might expect. And their reasons for holding this view is even less widely known. In this episode I interview biblical scholar Jeffrey Siker (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) longtime professor of New Testament (who is also an ordained Presbyterian minister) who explains why in fact the Bible does NOT condemn homosexuality.

The Gospel Truth: What Are the Gospels of the New Testament?

Nov 22, 2022 | While our four gospels eventually were named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, did you know they're actually anonymously written? So, who actually wrote the gospels? And when were they written? Do we know where the writers were when they were writing? And much more!

The Thinking Atheist Interview: The Triumph of Christianity

Mar 21, 2018 | Seth Andrews, host of The Thinking Atheist podcast interviews Dr. Bart Ehrman on his book "The Triumph of Christianity: How A Forbidden Religion Swept the World." The program was aired on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 6:30 am.

The Triumph of Christianity combines deep knowledge and meticulous research in an eye-opening narrative that upends the way we think about the single most important cultural transformation our world has ever seen—one that revolutionized art, music, literature, philosophy, ethics, economics, and law. The book tells the story of how Christianity grew from a religion of twenty or so peasants in rural Galilee to the dominant religion in the West in less than four hundred years. …

The History of Heaven and Hell - St Luke's Episcopal Church Interview

Jan 11, 2021 | St Luke's Episcopal Church and the host The Very Rev. Denis C. Brunelle records a Zoom session on January 9, 2021, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time in which they discuss Bart's book "The History of Heaven and Hell." St Luke's Episcopal Church is located at 18 James Lane in East Hampton, New York. Bart touches upon book references like The Apocalypse of Peter, Plato: The Immortality of the Soul, the Jewish traditions and apocalyptic thought, and Jesus' teaching.

Genesis, White Jesus, and Debating the Resurrection (with Dr. Bart Ehrman)

Mar 29, 2022 Dr. Bart Ehrman is a New Testament scholar, author, and educator. In advance of his upcoming debate with apologist Dr. Mike Licona, he joins us to talk about the Bible, Christ, and the April 9th online debate: "Did the Resurrection of Jesus Really Happen?"

Genesis, White Jesus, and Debating the Resurrection (with Dr. Bart Ehrman)

Mar 29, 2022 • Dr. Bart Ehrman is a New Testament scholar, author, and educator. In advance of his upcoming debate with apologist Dr. Mike Licona, he joins us to talk about the Bible, Christ, and the April 9th online debate: "Did the Resurrection of Jesus Really Happen?"

When Belief Dies #51 - 'Manuscripts and Ancient History' with Bart D. Ehrman

Bart Ehrman: Evolution of Jesus in Early Christianity

The Birth of Jesus in History & Legend | Bart Ehrman

Ehrman-Licona Debate on Proving Jesus Rose from Dead

Bart Ehrman flew to Kansas City, Missouri where he debated Christian apologist Mike R. Licona on the topic, "Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead." Is there historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? The event took place on February 28, 2008 at 7 p.m. held at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. R. Philip Roberts, the seminary's president and the debate's moderator commented previous of the event, "We are thrilled to have both Bart D. Ehrman and Mike R. Licona on campus addressing the questions many people ask these days. Apologetics, the science of defending the Christian faith, are very important. Our culture is looking for an answer. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Christian community and others to learn if the claims of Christ are defensible."

The debate is discussed in the book "Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics" edited by Paul Copan, William Lane Craig. Chapter 9 is written by Michael Licona, which reviews this debate extensively from his perspective.