Do you know about the Smithsonian Associates?  It’s a great organization that, among other things, puts on lectures and day-long seminars by scholars and experts in all sorts of areas, including religion.  For years and years they were live events in Washington D.C. as part of the Smithsonian (on the Mall); for the past year or so they have been remote Zoom events.  In some ways, these Zoom events are even better: you can come without flying to D.C.!

I will be doing an event this Saturday, May 1.  It’s an all-day affair with four hour-long lectures and Q&A after each.   The topic is “Four Controversies in Early Christianity.”

Are you interested in getting a ticket?  Check it out.  Below is a description of my talks — three of which I’ve never given before and a fourth that I’ve never given publicly before!

And here is the link to the registration page, to purchase tickets and register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/more-great-controversies-in-early-christianity-bart-ehrman-ponders-four-new-questions

 

Another Four Controversies in Early Christianity

Bart D. Ehrman

 

Numerous significant issues were debated by the followers of Jesus in the decades and centuries after his death.  In this seminar we will look at four controversies that continue to intrigue those who are interested in the history of the Christian tradition.

 

Does the Old Testament Predict the Coming of Jesus?

Early Christians devised a new way of reading the Jewish Bible (the “Old” Testament) by claiming it was filled from beginning to end with prophecies of the coming Messiah.  Is that actually what Moses and the prophets had in mind?

 

Did Jesus Have a Twin Brother?

The apostle Thomas is commonly said to have been the first missionary to India.  But the earliest tradition of his journey came with a peculiar twist: Thomas was said to have been Jesus’ identical twin brother.  How could that be?  Among other things, how could Jesus have a twin if his mother was a virgin?

 

Did Paul Despise Peter?

Most readers of the New Testament assume the apostles Peter and Paul were on friendly terms and agreed about what it meant to be a Christian.  For many years, scholars have argued otherwise, that Peter and Paul were at each other’s throats.  How can we decide the issue?

 

Does the Bible Predict the End is Near?

For nearly 2000 years students of prophecy have declared that the predictions of Scripture were coming to pass in their own day and that the End was Near.  In light of current events, is it possible that this time they are right?