An 8-Lecture Online Course by Dr. Bart Ehrman

The Genius of the Acts of the Apostles

Unlock the Secrets Behind One of the New Testament’s Most Powerful Stories!

Course cover

Is Acts a historical account, a work of theological genius, a literary fiction—or all three?

Course Overview

Unlock the Secrets Behind One of the New Testament’s Most Powerful Stories!

Uncover the brilliance behind one of the New Testament’s most influential books, The Acts of the Apostles, in our new online course, "The Genius of the Acts of the Apostles". Bestselling author and New Testament scholar Dr. Bart Ehrman takes you on a deep dive into the dramatic stories, pivotal moments, and theological insights found in this key biblical text.

Is Acts a historical account, a work of theological genius, a literary fiction—or all three? Is it possible that Acts is both good storytelling and accurate history? How does it shape our understanding of the early Christian movement, the role of the apostles, and the profound impact of Paul’s missionary journeys? Join Bart as he explores these questions and reveals the timeless relevance of this text for understanding early Christianity.

Key Questions Explored

  • AuthorshipDoes the author of Acts provide credible evidence of having written the Gospel of Luke?
  • ContinuityHow do Luke and Acts together narrate God’s salvation plan through Jesus and the apostles?
  • Miracles and MissionAre the miraculous events in Acts factual reports or biased narratives, or a blend of both?
  • Paul’s ProfileWhat can we verify about Paul’s background and missionary journeys as depicted in Acts?
  • Letters vs. ActsHow do Paul’s letters compare to the accounts of his life in Acts, and what do any discrepancies reveal?
  • Sermon ConsistencyDo Paul’s sermons in Acts align with his epistles, and if not, why might there be differences?
  • Tradition of AuthorshipWhat supports the tradition that the author of Acts is Luke, and what challenges does this pose?

Your Instructor

Dr. Bart Ehrman

James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Bart Ehrman
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he taught from 1988 until his retirement in 2025. Recognized internationally for his scholarship on the New Testament and early Christianity, Professor Ehrman has written or edited thirty three books, including six New York Times bestsellers. His college level textbook The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings has remained the best-selling text in the field for more than twenty-five years. His scholarly works have been published by Oxford, Harvard, Yale, and other premier academic presses, and his books have been translated into twenty-seven languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide. Beyond the classroom, Professor Ehrman is a widely recognized public scholar. He has produced nine acclaimed courses for The Great Courses, in addition to numerous online courses available through BartEhrman.com. His books and courses have sold more than two million copies. He also writes for his charitable blog, The Bart Ehrman Blog, which has raised millions for organizations addressing poverty, homelessness, and hunger. In addition, he hosts the weekly podcast Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, where he brings cutting-edge biblical scholarship to a global audience.

Course Syllabus

Course Curriculum

1

Our Earliest Account of Christianity: Profile and Problems of Act

  • Is Acts a factual report of early Christianity, a legendary narrative, or both? How can we determine this?
2

How Christianity Came into Existence

  • The ascension of Jesus, the descent of the Spirit, and the apostles' preaching lead to thousands of conversions. What major themes do these stories reveal about Luke's religious perspective?
3

The Beginnings of the Christian Takeover

  • The Spirit performs miracles, unifies the church, and protects the apostles. Would Christianity have flourished without these divine interventions?
4

The Giant of Faith: Paul and His Mission

  • Paul's conversion and missionary journeys are pivotal for Christianity. What insights does Luke provide about Paul's life and significance?
5

Can the Book of Acts Be Trusted?

  • Evaluating the historical reliability of Acts requires critical analysis. Are the narratives consistent internally and with external sources?
6

Paul in Acts and Paul in Paul

  • Comparing Acts' portrayal of Paul with his letters reveals potential discrepancies. What do these differences suggest about Luke's narrative intentions?
7

When History and Theology Collide

  • Is it possible to write “objective” history without bias? How do we differentiate between historical facts and theological perspectives in Acts?
8

The Author of Acts: Did He Know Paul?

  • The author’s use of “we” suggests he accompanied Paul. What evidence supports this, and what challenges this assumption? Why is he traditionally identified as Luke?

Included With Enrollment

Six Bonus Resources

A complete companion library designed to enrich your understanding and enhance your learning journey.

Bonus #1

Comprehensive Resources Pack

Take your learning experience to the next level with our Comprehensive Course Resources Pack. This invaluable resource includes: Text Overviews of Each Lesson: Get a clear and concise introduction to the topics covered in each lecture. Perfect for refreshing your memory or previewing what’s ahead. Printable PDFs with Note-Taking Space: Keep track of important points, reflections, and insights during the course. Thought-Provoking Reflection Questions: Dive deeper into the material with prompts that encourage critical thinking. This Course Resources Pack is your personal guide to mastering the material, ensuring you stay engaged and never miss a key insight.

Value $60

Bonus #2

Exclusive Q&A Sessions

Gain extra insights with our Exclusive Q&A Sessions. After each lecture, Dr. Bart Ehrman answers participant questions, adding clarity and depth to the course material. These Q&A sessions bring the dynamic, live experience to you, allowing you to explore topics in greater detail. This bonus offers a closer look at Bart’s expert responses to real questions, enriching your understanding and making your learning more interactive.

Value $90

Bonus #3

Audio Downloads

Enjoy the flexibility of learning wherever you are with our Audio Downloads. Perfect for listening while in the car, working out, or anytime you're on the move. Each lecture is available as an audio file, making it easy to continue your education no matter where life takes you.

Value $30

Bonus #4

FREE Lecture from "Luke's Maverick Gospel"

Discover the Radical Vision Behind Luke’s Gospel with Dr. Bart Ehrman. Get a free lecture from Luke’s Maverick Gospel: How the Third Evangelist Reimagined Jesus and His Mission—the perfect prequel to The Genius of the Book of Acts! Explore how the Gospel of Luke offers a bold and distinctive take on the life of Jesus. What sets Luke apart from the other Gospels? How does his portrayal of Jesus, women, wealth, and salvation challenge traditional views? Dive into this provocative introduction and uncover Luke’s unique theological vision that sets the stage for the Book of Acts.

Value $24.95

Bonus #5

Self-Assessment Quiz

Test your knowledge of the Book of Acts. Challenge yourself after completing your course with a customized quiz to the materials found in your "The Genius of the Book of Acts" course. Turn passive learning into active learning and turn short-term memory into long-term memory with our multiple choice, self-assessment quiz.

Value $20

Bonus #6

Downloadable eBook

Take the Entire Course in PDF Format. Enjoy the convenience of having the entire course in a PDF. Whether you prefer reading on your tablet, phone, or just want a printable copy to annotate and revisit, this downloadable eBook gives you complete access to the content anytime, anywhere. Perfect for reviewing at your own pace—even offline.

Value $20

Special Bundle Price $199.60

The value of 8 individual lectures with Professor Dr. Ehrman would usually be $199.60. However, if you purchase "The Genius of the Acts of the Apostles" online course today, you can enjoy the Special Bundle price of . This includes lifetime access to all 8 lectures and exclusive bonus materials.

Don't Miss the Genius of the Acts of the Apostles

8 comprehensive lectures, the Q&A recordings, audio downloads, and 6 bonus resources. Lifetime access.

Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Is this a LIVE course?

This online course was recorded live on November 9th-10th, 2024. If you purchase this course after Nov 10th you'll enjoy lifetime access to the recorded version of the course as well as the bonus materials

What is the Special Bundle Price?

The retail price for eight individual lectures with Dr. Ehrman is normally $119.60 ($14.95/lecture). However, you can enroll in the entire online course, The Genius of the Acts of the Apostles, for a special bundle price of $59.95. Alternatively, this course is available through The Biblical Studies Academy (BSA), our premium membership and training community. Click on the link in the full course description to find out more...

Are any other discounts available?

Yes! Viewers of Dr. Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus" show on YouTube or listeners of the podcast can discover exclusive discount codes. Additionally, paid members of his blog at ehrmanblog.org are eligible for special discounts.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Absolutely! If you don't love the seminar, send us an email and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of your purchase.

Alternatively, this course is available through The Biblical Studies Academy (BSA), our premium membership and training community.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee · Lifetime access to all course materials

$1 from your purchase is donated to charity: water.