Ep. 110 – Truth In A Culture Of Doubt – Were There Many Christianities?

We begin by looking at the theory of Walter Bauer. Bauer theorized that there were many early Christianities that existed at the start and each one had their own set of orthodoxy. The only real orthodoxy that rose to the surface was by those who used their collective might to assert their will and dominate the theological debate until only they were left standing. An interesting theory – if it wasn’t all completely wrong. And yet it is one Bart Ehrman holds to and popularizes.

Timeline Breakdown:

00:00 – Introduction
02:11 – 8 Claims Of There Being Many Early Christianities
06:48 – The Power Of Cherished Beliefs
07:49 – There Were Many Christianities According To Bart Ehrman
11:30 – Claim #1 – Walter Bauer’s Book Was The Most Important Book On The Subject
12:42 – What Walter Bauer Claims In His Book
16:51 – Bauer Neglects Looking At The 1st Century New Testament Literature
20:05 – Early Heretical Christianities Were Completely Destroyed So No Evidence Exists
20:41 – No Evidence For This
22:00 – Competing Views Were Not Widespread Or Happened Much Later
22:35 – Claim #3 — Early Christianity Was Diverse & There Was No “True” Form Of It
23:33 – Wrong Century, Bauer!
30:47 – More Evidence For A Stable 1st Century Orthodox Christianity
33:11 – Gnosticism & Orthodoxy
35:17 – The Importance Of The Early “Rule Of Faith”
40:32 – Recommended Reading

Video Link

– 04:13 – Was Jesus God Or Did Others Only Later Claim Jesus As Divine?

– 12:09 – Robert Murphy Interview Part 1

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep110