Over at the Gospel Coalition, Mike Kruger has a review of Bart Ehrman’s latest book. It’s another popular volume, this one on why Christianity spread so quickly, a topic Kruger and his Doktorvater have recently published on as well. The surprising thing here? Kruger likes the book and says it’s an important resource.Here’s the conclusion.
Ehrman has written an intriguing, helpful, and well-balanced volume exploring the development, and eventual dominance, of early Christianity.How about that.
Certainly there are areas were I, and others, would disagree—for example, on the treatment of miracles, analysis of martyrdom, and the role of tolerance and intolerance. But this volume is a refreshing shift away from the tone of some of Ehrman’s earlier volumes that seemed more polemical and critical in their assessment of early Christianity. Indeed, as a whole this is an enjoyable read that is clear, insightful, and well-written.
Thus, Ehrman’s volume will be an important addition to any reading list exploring the emergence of Christianity in the first four centuries.
Anti-Christian rhetoric in this book is relatively toned down, especially compared to “Jesus Before The Gospels” and “Forged”. And the Introduction is impressive and thought-provoking, probably the best Introduction, written by Ehrman thus far. I was curious about his views on the subject of Christianity’s triumph, especially after I read “Not The Impossible Faith” by the anti-Christian Richard Carrier, tackling (almost) the same matter, although from a different angle. Nothing surprising, except Candida Moss’ presence in the footnotes.
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