How do we separate history from myth? Both atheists and Christians often assume they're worlds apart, but in the early years of Christianity, skeptics and believers shared more common ground than you might imagine. In this podcast, we'll explore the ancient texts, archaeological finds, and scholarly debates that both sides use to argue their case. From examining Roman historians' accounts of Jesus to decoding early Christian writings and the surprising historical parallels, this is your invitation—whether believer or skeptic—to re-examine what you think you know about Christianity’s origins.
Why Even Atheist Historians Believe in John the Baptist
What kind of world crucified Jesus—and why do even atheist historians agree that John the Baptist was real? This episode explores the reign of Emperor Tiberius and the political tensions in Judea that led to the executions of both John and Jesus. Drawing from Roman historians, Jewish records, and archaeological context, we uncover how Rome categorized Christianity as a dangerous superstition—and how its attempt to stop the movement only fueled its spread. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this is history you can't ignore.
27 Jul 2025
The Sons of God: Augustus and the Christ
What did it mean to call someone “Son of God” in the Roman world—and why would anyone believe it about Jesus? Long before the Gospels were written, Augustus was already called “son of the divine Julius,” “savior,” and even “lord.” This episode explores the world Jesus was born into: a world of emperors, revolts, crosses, and theological propaganda. Drawing from ancient Roman inscriptions, Jewish history, and the imperial cult, we uncover how the earliest claims about Christ weren’t just religious—they were political. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this is the forgotten backdrop that changed everything.
21 Jun 2025
How the 7 Letters Show an Unbroken Continuation of Persecution Since Jesus’ Crucifixion
Was persecution in the early church just a myth? Some modern scholars say yes—but Paul’s seven undisputed letters tell a different story. In this episode of Living the Bible, we explore how persecution began not with Nero or later emperors, but with Jesus himself—and continued through Paul’s ministry and the churches he wrote to. Long before it was empire-wide, suffering was already the daily reality for early Christians. Join us as we uncover the emotional and historical weight of a movement born under threat.
18 Jun 2025
How We Know Paul’s Letters Were Accurately Preserved
How do we know the letters of Paul were preserved accurately before the earliest surviving manuscripts? In this episode, we trace the evidence—from early regional circulation and ancient quotations to how these letters were already being treated as Scripture. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or searching, this episode offers a compelling look at why Paul’s words endured.
14 Jun 2025
How Accurate Are Paul’s Letters? What the Manuscripts and Scholars Say
Can we really know what Paul wrote nearly 2,000 years ago? In this episode, we dive into the manuscript evidence behind the seven letters that even secular scholars agree are authentically Paul's. Whether you approach the Bible with faith or skepticism, the transmission of these ancient letters offers a rare meeting point where historians and believers find surprising agreement. You’ll hear what the earliest manuscripts say, where they came from, and how much—or how little—has changed over time.
9 Jun 2025
When Philosophy Clashed with the Cross: Gentile Rejections of the Christ Hymn
Was early Christianity just one of many competing versions of Jesus? In this episode, we follow the historical evidence—not later legends—to uncover the only four divergent groups from the first century. You’ll see how each one arose after the earliest Christian hymn declared Jesus both divine and crucified. As these groups struggled to make sense of that claim, they broke away, rewrote Scripture, and invented new gospels. If you're not a Christian, this episode offers a surprising look at how the earliest Christian beliefs weren’t slowly invented—but fiercely defended.
6 Jun 2025
Jesus as Divine Before the Gospels? Only One Early Group Rejected It
In recent years, some have argued that early Christianity was a fragmented movement, with multiple versions of Jesus emerging in the first century—from exalted divine figure to ordinary Jewish teacher. But what if the actual historical data tells a different story? In this episode, we’re not relying on confessional claims—we’re going straight to the earliest sources. What we find is that there weren’t dozens of early Christianities, but just a handful of identifiable divergences—and even those came after a unified proclamation of a divine Christ. Whether you’re a skeptic, historian, or just curious, this episode will test the claim that Christ's divinity was invented gradually—and show what the first-century evidence really says.
1 Jun 2025
A Hymn Older Than the Gospels Calls Jesus Divine
Many claim that the idea of Jesus’ divinity was a late invention of the church, evolving decades after his death. But what if the earliest Christians were already worshiping him as divine—within just a few years of the crucifixion? In this episode, we examine a hymn quoted by Paul that predates his letters and the Gospels, showing that high Christology wasn’t a gradual development—it was there from the start. Even atheist scholars agree this poem is one of the earliest pieces of Christian tradition. Could it rewrite the story of how Christianity began?
28 May 2025
Christianity Before Paul - The Traditions He Inherited
Was Paul the founder of Christianity? That’s what many skeptics claim—but in this episode, we follow the evidence from Paul’s seven undisputed letters to uncover something older than Paul himself. You’ll hear how historians—both religious and atheist—agree that the core Christian beliefs about Jesus’ death, resurrection, and teachings were already circulating in creeds, hymns, and traditions before Paul ever wrote a word. If you think Christianity was invented by Paul, this episode may surprise you.
26 May 2025
When Atheists and Christians Agree: The 7 Undisputed Letters of Paul
What if some of the most outspoken atheists and Christian believers actually agree on something crucial about the New Testament? In this episode of Living the Bible, Jason Conrad explores the seven letters that nearly all scholars—including critics like Bart Ehrman and Richard Carrier—affirm as authentically written by Paul. These letters are the earliest Christian writings we possess, composed just years after Jesus’ crucifixion, and they already contain creeds, quotes from Jesus, and evidence of early worship. Whether you're a skeptic, seeker, or believer, this episode uncovers how history and faith overlap in remarkable ways.
29 Dec 2024
Response to Agnosticism and Bart Ehrman
This episode builds a bridge between agnosticism and confidence in the Christian faith. Bart Ehrman is a world-renowned scholar that champions the agnostic viewpoint and casts doubt on the certainty of Christ's resurrection. Some of his common arguments are addressed.
22 Dec 2024
Foundational Roles of Apostles and Prophets from Eph. 2:19
This episode explores the New Testament and the earliest Christian literature on the important roles that apostles and prophets held.
16 Dec 2024
Role of Jewish Law in Christian Living
This episode addresses the idea of how Jesus' death annuls the Jewish Law as noted in Ephesians 2:14. We explore Jesus' view of the Law in the Gospels, the apostles' changing view in Acts, and ultimately Paul's view in his letters.
8 Dec 2024
Children of Light, No Regrets
In this episode, we look carefully at Ephesians 2:1-10 to see the stark difference between the Christian and non-Christian. It is a difference like light and darkness. The Christian can live with no regrets, by both experiencing God’s love and finding the God’s will for their life.
27 Nov 2024
Seeing the Spiritual Realms in Ephesians
This episode looks carefully at how 1st century Ephesians would have heard Paul talk about the spiritual realms and the gods that pervaded their culture. In the end for Paul, there is really only one name that is needed, that of Jesus Christ.
2 Nov 2024
Experiencing Gratitude
Move beyond hearing and reading about why Christians should be so grateful. This episode explores the prayer of Ephesians 1:15-20 and the need for experiential knowledge of God's blessings.
19 Oct 2024
Christian Gratitude
This episode explores how important gratitude is for a healthy life. The difference between Christian gratitude from the Bible and those views of science without God is brought into sharp contrast. The Bible story offers us a purpose that is unmatched.
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