After the New Testament: The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers

By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman

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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2005 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2005 The Great Courses

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.

solid course but I wouldn't start here

I really appreciate Prof. Ehrman's lecture series. I would say this isn't my favorite and it wouldn't be where I would start. It is a more esoteric topic, and my mind would sometimes wander in the summaries. That said, he's a wonderful lecturer, and I learned a lot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great insight into early Christianity

DR Ehrman does an excellent job of identifying important writings of Christianity’s Apostolic Fathers. Those authors are believed to have been companions or followers of the apostles of Jesus. Most modern Christians have never heard of these fathers, but they had important influence in shaping the early church.

una muy interesante introducción

una muy interesante introducción a los escritos de los padres apostólicos. Estupendo curso, aprendí mucho.

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Great historical study and theological/ecclesiastical expounding

Such an interesting and crucial time period to examine and Bart is the guy to do it. I like how this course is divided up with an exegetical expounding of each document and then following each book with a chapter explaining the circumstances, issues, and theological perspectives that led to that writing.

Bart has a natural delivery. He sounds human and alive, rather than perfect and sterile. This makes it more personal and approachable with some humor.