Were Peter & Paul Really Martyred? History vs. Legend скачать в хорошем качестве

Were Peter & Paul Really Martyred? History vs. Legend

Links Mentioned in this Episode: https://www.bartehrman.com/hbconference - our new conference New Insights into the Hebrew Bible – happening live on March 20-22. Get early-bird pricing through Feb 28th via this link. Episode Description Episode 173 takes listeners on a journey through the mysterious and often misunderstood narratives surrounding the deaths of Christianity’s most famous apostles. It’s widely accepted in Christian tradition that Peter and Paul were martyred for their faith—but how much of the story is supported by historical evidence? In this episode, Megan Lewis and Bart Ehrman sift through the earliest sources, explore legendary accounts, and discuss the enduring impact of these stories. Topics Explored Historical Silence vs. Christian Tradition: Bart Ehrman discusses the striking silence in historical records regarding the deaths of the apostles, explaining why the argument that all apostles were martyred—and therefore the resurrection must be true—is not backed by reliable evidence. Earliest References to Martyrdom: The episode unpacks 1 Clement, an early Christian text, and the ways it alludes to the deaths of Peter and Paul. Bart Ehrman analyzes possible references in the Gospel of John and the Book of Acts to Peter and Paul’s fate, showing how early Christianity began to build its narrative. Legendary Accounts: Acts of Peter & Acts of Paul: Megan Lewis and Bart Ehrman discuss the colorful legends found in the apocryphal Acts—that Peter was crucified upside down, and Paul’s head, when cut off, gushed milk rather than blood. These accounts are loaded with symbolism, otherworldly miracles (including resurrection scenes), and the moral lessons they were meant to convey. Martyrdom in Roman Sources: Bart Ehrman brings in early Roman historians like Tacitus and Pliny, examining what their writings reveal about the persecution and execution of Christians under Roman rule—especially under Emperor Nero. Historical Analysis – Were Peter and Paul Actually Martyred?: The episode tackles the tough question—did Peter and Paul really die for their faith in Rome? While the evidence is thin, Bart Ehrman explains why the tradition persists and how legendary accounts shaped the faith and self-understanding of early Christians. Theological Purpose and Legacy: The conversation closes by analyzing how the legend of apostolic martyrdom served to inspire believers, encourage faithfulness, and connect Christian suffering to the example of Christ. Yet, most modern Christians are unaware of the fantastical details in these ancient texts. Listener Q&A: Bonus questions include topics like the shift in views of Jesus’ salvation between Mark and later gospels, the historicity of Jesus’ miracles, why James (Jesus’ brother) was executed, and the purpose behind Matthew’s “murder of the innocents” story. Key Takeaways from the Episode No Solid Historical Evidence Exists for Most Apostolic Martyrdoms: The tradition that all apostles were martyred cannot be supported by historical records; in fact, those records are mostly silent. Peter and Paul’s Martyrdoms Are Based on Later Legendary and Symbolic Narratives: The stories, especially in the Acts of Peter and Acts of Paul, are filled with supernatural and allegorical elements, not historical reportage. The Legends Served Theological and Community Purposes: Narratives of martyrdom reinforced the value of faithfulness, suffering, and testimony, drawing parallels to Christ and offering comfort and inspiration to persecuted Christians. Key Points The traditional belief that all apostles were martyred is not historically verified. 1 Clement is among the earliest sources to reference the deaths of Peter and Paul, but with little detail and no claim of authorship. The Gospel of John and Acts of the Apostles possibly allude to Peter and Paul’s deaths, but only through hints and indirect reference. The Acts of Peter and Acts of Paul are legendary texts written in the late 2nd to early 3rd century with fantastical elements. Peter’s upside-down crucifixion is meant as a moral lesson on reversing worldly perspectives, not mere humility. Paul’s beheading is accompanied by the miraculous appearance of milk, symbolizing new life or spiritual nourishment. Roman sources (Tacitus, Pliny) document Christian persecution under Nero, but do not mention Peter and Paul directly. The historical evidence for Peter ever being in Rome is thin; Paul’s plans to go to Rome are documented, but his fate is only known from later legends. Martyrdom legends provided early Christians with models of faith and encouraged willingness to suffer for their beliefs. Modern Christian communities often repeat these traditions without direct exposure to the original, fantastical texts. The shift in gospel interpretation means many today read texts looking for theology they already expect, missing contradictions and shifts in message.