Dr Bart Erham lecture on the nativity stories in Matthew and Luke.

The discussion suggests that Jesus was likely born in Nazareth rather than Bethlehem and explores his early life, including his Jewish heritage, informal education, and potential occupation as a carpenter. Ultimately, while the Gospels blend historical facts with legendary narratives, they provide essential insights into Jesus’ teachings and influence.

Key Insights

• Historical sources are critical for understanding past events, with emphasis on reliability and corroboration.
  
• There are notable inconsistencies in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth and early life.
  
• The Gospels contain both historical elements and legendary aspects, yet still provide valuable insights into Jesus’ teachings.
  
• Analysis of historical and contextual clues, along with scrutiny of Gospel accounts, suggests that Nazareth may be a more plausible birthplace than Bethlehem.
  

Dr Bart D. Ehrman is an highly respected New Testament scholar focusing on the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books, including three college textbooks. He is currently New Testament Professor at the UoNC Chapel Hill. Professor Ehrman holds a BA from Moody Bible Seminary and Wheaton College, and a M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees at Princeton Seminary. Dr Erhman was pastor of the Princeton Baptist Church while completing his Ph.D, he is now describes himself as an Agnostic and continues to love studying the bible as an academic.