Before the Bible cover art

Before the Bible

A New History of Early Christianities: A 5-in-1 Scholarly Guide to the First Followers of Jesus, the Lost Christian Movements, the Origins of Christianity & the Formation of Doctrine

Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Before the Bible

By: Clara B. Poloci
Narrated by: Gerhard Weigelt
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £13.79

Buy Now for £13.79

About this listen

You know the Christianity that survived. But what about the ones that didn’t?

  • Historical scholarship, not theological agenda — Curious what Christianity looked like before a Bible, a pope, or official creeds? This 5-in-1 guide offers a clear, accessible tour of the earliest Jesus movements using contemporary historical scholarship. Unlike devotional or overly academic books, Before the Bible helps you understand how multiple “Christianities” emerged, competed, and evolved—along with the debates and human stories behind what became the world’s largest religion.
  • A structured 25-chapter journey — See how a Jewish teacher in Roman Palestine became the center of an institutional Church. Across 5 parts and 25 chapters, you’ll explore early communities, Paul’s mission, Jewish-Christian groups, power struggles over “orthodoxy,” creed-making, and how the biblical canon took shape.
  • Engaging and memorable — Academic rigor explained in plain language, with storytelling that keeps complex history listenable.
  • What’s inside: 5 comprehensive parts • 25 chapters • competing visions of Jesus • Jewish-Christian movements • women’s leadership • persecution under Rome • Constantine’s influence • how heresy was defined • why some texts became scripture and others were lost.

Whether you are a curious listener, a student of religion, or rethinking inherited beliefs, this book provides clarity without demanding faith or disbelief.

Look beyond the familiar story and discover the plural origins of Christianity. Start Listening Now.

©2026 Jelle Olivier Magnus Postma (P)2026 Jelle Olivier Magnus Postma
Christianity
All stars
Most relevant

Listener received this title free

The version of church history taught in most congregations is highly sanitized and simplified. This book pulls back the curtain to reveal the fierce debates, power struggles, and compromises that actually took place. It is a necessary reality check for anyone interested in factual religious history.

So much more complex than sunday school taught

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

History is rarely as neat and tidy as we want it to be, and early Christianity is no exception. This guide does not shy away from the contradictions and fierce disagreements among the first generations of followers. It provides a highly realistic look at the birth of a religion.

Unveils the messy reality of early beliefs

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I have a long drive to work, and this audiobook was the perfect companion. The narrative is engaging enough to keep you awake, but structured enough that you don't lose the plot if you hit traffic. It turned a boring commute into an ancient history masterclass.

Kept my attention during my long commute

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I was fascinated by how the author highlights lesser-known communities that existed alongside the mainstream tradition. Hearing about their beliefs and struggles adds incredible depth to the broader narrative. It feels like uncovering forgotten chapters of history that rarely get discussed.

Hidden histories make the story richer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Having five distinct focuses bundled together means you get a remarkably comprehensive education. One book focuses on the historical Jesus, the next on the lost movements, and so on. It flows logically and builds a solid foundation of knowledge chapter by chapter.

A deep well of knowledge in one collection

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews