After the New Testament: The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers, Prof. Bart D. Ehrman (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 12x CD - The Great Courses)
 
In these 24 lectures, Professor Bart D. Ehrman provides a historical and literary survey of the Apostolic Fathers, the first generation of Christian leaders and writers to follow the original apostles. The course bridges the gap between the close of the New Testament and the emergence of the institutional church, focusing on how early Christian identity was forged in a period of intense diversity. Ehrman examines key primary texts - Including 1 Clement, the Seven Epistles of Ignatius, the Didache, and the Shepherd of Hermas - To illustrate how these early authors addressed internal disputes, defined ethical standards, and defended their faith against pagan and Jewish critics.
The lectures further explore the structural and theological evolution of the faith, tracing the rise of church hierarchy (the roles of bishops, presbyters, and deacons) and the early development of Christian creeds and the scriptural canon. By analyzing themes of martyrdom, anti-Judaism, and the struggle against "heresy," Ehrman highlights the practical realities of early Christian communities as they transitioned from a small Jewish sect into a distinct global religion. 
 
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