The New Testament

By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman

Whether taken as a book of faith or a cultural artifact, the New Testament is among the most significant writings the world has ever known, its web of meaning relied upon by virtually every major writer in the last 2,000 years. Yet the New Testament is not only one of Western civilization’s most believed books, but also one of its most widely disputed, often maligned, and least clearly understood, with a vast number of people unaware of how it was written and transmitted.

But now a distinguished religious scholar is available to help you gain a carefully reasoned understanding of not only the New Testament itself, but of the individuals and communities who created its texts.

Drawing on modern biblical scholarship, recent archaeological discoveries, and careful literary analysis - and approaching his subject purely as a historian, with belief or disbelief suspended - Professor Ehrman has crafted a series of 24 fascinating lectures that trace the history of the New Testament and the early Christian faith community. He discusses not only the 27 books included in the New Testament, but also many of the significant texts that were excluded as he addresses key historical questions around the issues of authorship, circumstance, audience, content, meaning, and historical accuracy.

"Our ultimate goal," he notes, "is to come to a fuller appreciation and understanding of these books that have made such an enormous impact on the history of Western civilization and that continue to play such an important role for people today."

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

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

Very interesting!

The narrator does a fantastic job of addressing a controversial subject with care. Keep in mind that this is a historical discussion of the New Testament, not a theological discussion.

Grotesque and disrespectful.

The professor could be an atheist and also respectful. Unfortunately, he is not. He is not worried about sharing different points of view, but only apparent mistakes of the Gospels. It is fanatic and disrespectful atheistic preaching.

insightful and educational

For me this was a very challenging read. In the end I find the sovereignty of God in the middle of it all.

Very thorough and unbiased

An interesting look into history and how the NT may have been created and changed over the centuries. A good book for a rounded view of the NT.

Objective Review

Very happy with authors effort to state facts about historical information. Only a few instances of bias favoring or opposing Christian faith. Main focus is a historical perspective & critical analysis of New Testament.

Eye opening!

I absolutely love Bart Ehrman! He has totally changed the way I see the Bible.

good stuff

excellent and informative lecture from one of the foremost new testament scholars. easy to listen to and digestible for people who aren't academics.

Incisive

Bart Ehrman is my favorite writer on New Testament topics, and fortunately he is also an engaging teacher. The result here is a first-rate introduction to the history and content of the New Testament. Of particular interest are his account of the four gospels and his interpretation of Revelation (which he sets firmly in the context of Roman history). I've read a lot on this subject over the years, but Ehrman always manages to surprise me with new information or incisive analysis. Depending on what you're looking for, this may be an excellent addition to your library; but you should note that Ehrman is writing as an historian, and his approach is more skeptical than some people of faith will be comfortable with.

Clear, Wide-ranging, and Precise

Bart Ehrman's lectures are simply wonderful. Throughout his talks, he is clear and precise. Plenty of specific examples and verses are given. In all, the whole presentation was very eye-opening to me, a former member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. To be given such a clear and direct historical overview of the New Testament is incredibly refreshing.

scholarly research for Bible enthusiasts

Bart Ehrman is a phenomenal Biblical Scholar. He neither criticizes Christian theology nor insults Christianity.