Did Jesus Invent Modern Morality? Exploring Ancient Ethics

Did Jesus Invent Modern Morality? Exploring Ancient Ethics

From Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman by Bart Ehrman

March 3, 2026 · 55 min · Episode 176

About this episode

Dr. Bart Ehrman discusses the ethical theories present during Jesus' time and their relevance to modern morality.

The difference between right and wrong and how to live a good life has been a matter of debate for millennia. In the ancient world, different schools of philosophers subscribed to different theories - but were these discussions something that Jesus would have been aware of? Today, Dr. Bart Ehrman joins me to discuss ethics in Jesus' time.

People in this episode

Host: Bart Ehrman

Guest: Dr. Bart Ehrman

Topics covered

  • ethics
  • ancient philosophy
  • morality
  • Jesus
  • good life
  • right and wrong

Keywords

  • ethics
  • morality
  • Jesus
  • ancient philosophy
  • right and wrong
  • good life

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Did Jesus Invent Modern Morality?

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