Welcome
This is the homepage of Hugo Méndez, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of two books with Oxford University Press.
Latest News
New Book: “The Gospel of John: A New History”
I’m excited to share that my next book, The Gospel of John: A New History, will be published this summer with Oxford University Press. The book offers a new account of the origins of John, one of the most beloved Christian scriptures, reimagining its authorship, purpose, theology, narrative symbolism, and reception. Pre-orders are now available […]
Previous Updates
New History Episodes Premiering
The coming of Spring brings back some of your favorite History Channel shows. Look for me on new episodes of Holy Marvels (now beginning Season 2) and History’s Greatest Mysteries (Season 6)!
Online Course: “The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible”
This Winter, I’m taking a really exciting step (or leap!) into public scholarship. I’ll be teaching an online course through the Biblical Studies Academy entitled, “The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible.” Here’s a teaser: Designed to replicate the experience of a university-level “Introduction to the New Testament” class, this online course offers the elite […]
New Episodes on the History Channel
I’ve had fun as a regular expert on the History Channel, covering topics anywhere across ancient history and religion. Tonight will be a doubleheader: look for me on History’s Greatest Mysteries and the series premiere of Holy Marvels (9 and 10pm EDT). More new episodes will follow over the next two months!
“Who Wrote John?” Bible for Normal People Podcast
Is the biblical author John the person we think he is? Check out my latest interview on the Bible for Normal People podcast! This one is a fun exploration of how scholars think, how we grapple with difficult questions, and how we might try to incorporate scholarship better in our local churches.
New Insights into the New Testament Conference (2023): The NT Gospels
This fall (2023), I was part of an exciting new venture: a biblical conference for non-scholars. My talk was entitled, “Unlocking the Symbolism of the Fourth Gospel.” Here’s the abstract: The Gospel of John contains many narratives and images not contained in other early accounts of the life of Jesus. These materials were deliberately crafted—invented—by […]
Featured Publications
Hugo Méndez is the author of multiple books and articles in such leading religious studies journals as the Journal of Biblical Literature, the Journal of Early Christian Studies, and New Testament Studies.
(Co-authored) The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, 8th Edition
Bart D. Ehrman and Hugo Méndez
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The Cult of Stephen in Jerusalem: Inventing a Patron Martyr
Hugo Méndez
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Did the Johannine Community Exist?
Hugo Méndez