Bart D. Ehrman on Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew

Introduction

Bart D. Ehrman, a renowned scholar of early Christianity and textual criticism, has played a pivotal role in reshaping modern understandings of Christian origins. His book Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew (2003) explores the diversity of early Christian beliefs and how many of these sects were suppressed, marginalized, or deemed heretical by the emerging orthodoxy. Through historical analysis, Ehrman provides insight into the theological disputes that shaped Christianity as we know it today.

The Diversity of Early Christianity

Contrary to the traditional narrative that Christianity developed in a unified and linear fashion, Ehrman argues that the early Christian movement was marked by immense diversity. Various groups held distinct theological perspectives, often interpreting the teachings of Jesus in radically different ways. These groups included:

• The Ebionites – A sect that viewed Jesus as the Jewish Messiah but rejected his divinity, maintaining strict adherence to Jewish law.

• The Gnostics – A group that believed salvation came through secret knowledge (gnosis), often seeing Jesus as a purely spiritual being rather than a physical incarnation.

• The Marcionites – Followers of Marcion, who rejected the Old Testament and viewed the God of the Hebrew Bible as separate from the benevolent God of Jesus.

• Other apocryphal movements – Many communities developed their own scriptures and interpretations, some of which were lost or suppressed.

The Battle Over Scripture

One of Ehrman’s key arguments is that the modern New Testament was not an inevitable collection but rather the result of intense theological and political battles. In the first few centuries after Jesus, numerous texts circulated within Christian communities, many of which presented alternative narratives of Jesus’ life and teachings. These included:

• The Gospel of Thomas

• The Gospel of Mary

• The Gospel of Peter

• The Gospel of Judas

Ehrman discusses how church leaders in the second and third centuries sought to establish a definitive set of scriptures, labeling texts that did not conform to emerging orthodoxy as heretical. Eventually, in the fourth century, a canonical list resembling the modern New Testament took shape, suppressing many other writings.

Orthodoxy vs. Heresy

Ehrman challenges the traditional understanding of orthodoxy and heresy, arguing that what we now consider "orthodox" Christianity was merely one of many competing forms of belief. He suggests that rather than being the original or purest form of Christianity, orthodox doctrine was the version that gained institutional power, largely through the influence of figures such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Athanasius.

He also examines how theological debates over Christology (the nature of Christ), salvation, and scriptural authority led to the marginalization of certain groups. The eventual dominance of Nicene Christianity (affirming the divinity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity) resulted from historical and political factors rather than purely theological reasoning.

The Impact of Lost Christianities

Ehrman’s work has profound implications for understanding the development of Christian doctrine. By uncovering lost Christianities, he reveals a more complex and contested history of the faith. His scholarship challenges believers and historians alike to reconsider how Christianity evolved and how much of its history has been shaped by those who held power.

Moreover, Lost Christianities encourages a broader appreciation of early Christian texts outside the canon, offering a glimpse into the suppressed voices that shaped religious discourse in antiquity. It invites readers to question the assumption that today’s Christianity is the only legitimate interpretation of Jesus’ message.

Conclusion

Bart D. Ehrman’s Lost Christianities provides a compelling and well-researched account of the forgotten branches of early Christianity. By examining the conflicts, lost texts, and theological debates of the first few centuries, he challenges conventional narratives and invites a deeper exploration of Christian origins. His work remains an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of Christianity, the formation of the biblical canon, and the power struggles that defined religious orthodoxy.