While initially an evangelical Christian, his intense study of the Bible's "contradictions and textual problems" led him to question biblical inerrancy. He eventually moved through agnosticism to atheism , citing the problem of human suffering as a primary factor in his loss of faith. Key Scholarly Themes
: Explains how scribal errors and intentional changes shaped the Bible we have today. Bart D. Ehrman
: Explores the historical development of concepts regarding the afterlife. While initially an evangelical Christian, his intense study
: Highlights the historical contradictions found within the New Testament. : Explores the historical development of concepts regarding
: Traces the historical process by which Jesus went from being viewed as a human prophet to the divine Son of God.
: His research explores how various "lost Christianities" competed before a single "orthodox" version of the faith became dominant. Major Works
Ehrman’s career began with a strong religious foundation. He attended the Moody Bible Institute and graduated from Wheaton College before earning his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He studied under the legendary textual critic Bruce Metzger , becoming an expert in the Greek manuscript tradition.