Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew

Bart Ehrman describes the many forms of early Christianity that existed before the New Testament canon and orthodox creeds were settled. He covers groups such as the Ebionites, Marcionites and Gnostics, and writings such as the Gospel of Peter, the Gospel of Thomas and the Acts of Paul, and he explains how the group that became orthodox won out and rewrote history, including through forgery. He argues that the winners shaped what later generations believed was the original faith.

It suits readers who want an accessible history of early Christianity, from a scholar who writes for general readers. It is a good starting point on the formation of the Bible.

Deep and outward-looking; a moderate read.

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