Direct Answer
The transcript specifically mentions the head covering/prayer covenant in 1 Corinthians 11 as an example where Bercot thinks modern Christians have adopted a fanciful interpretation. More broadly, he says early Christians took any New Testament commandment or moral teaching literally and seriously, though he does not list many specific examples here.
Support from Transcript
- Bercot says one distinguishing feature of second-century Christians was their “ultra-literal interpretation of the New Testament.” - He says, “You can point to any commandment or moral teaching in the New Testament,” and the early Church took it “very literally and very seriously.” - He gives the example of “our discussion about the prayer covenant.” - He says it is “the 21st-century Church” that has given a “fanciful interpretation” to 1 Corinthians 11. - He contrasts this with the second-century Church, whose “understanding is very literal.” - Later, he says Tertullian’s essay makes clear that the head covering was “a cloth veil” rather than “simply long hair.”
Discussion Follow-ups
Beyond the head covering example, the transcript does not identify which other teachings modern Christians most often soften.