Early Christian Texts

Two Fathers of Jesus: A New Perspective | Bible & Beyond Podcast Did Jesus have two fathers? Exploring Joseph, God, and divine parenthood in ancient Christian texts, canonical and extracanonical.

Historian Shawna Dolansky doesn’t think Eve is the villain that tradition makes her out to be. “Eve is the protagonist…she reasons…she acts, and she moves history forward.” Learn more from the latest #BibleAndBeyond podcast. earlychristiantexts.com/rethinking-e...

Christianity by the Century: Fifth Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog The basic theme of fifth century Christianity was conflict between centralized ecclesial authority and competing interpretations of belief.

The fifth century didn’t bring Christian unity—it exposed deep fractures. Councils at Ephesus and Chalcedon, Arian kingdoms in the West, and Augustine vs. Pelagius. How did Christianity survive the empire’s collapse in 476? Read the #BibleAndBeyond blog post
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Two Fathers of Jesus: A New Perspective | Bible & Beyond Podcast Did Jesus have two fathers? Exploring Joseph, God, and divine parenthood in ancient Christian texts, canonical and extracanonical.

Did Jesus have two fathers? From Joseph in the canonical gospels to the Gospel of Philip’s striking garden imagery, we explore divine and earthly fatherhood in early Christianity. Listen to the new episode of the #BibleAndBeyond podcast.
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Jesus the Storyteller: Awakening Love & Inspiring Action – Bible and Beyond Courses Jesus the Storyteller, a three-module mini course, explores several parables that provide food for thought and draw us closer to Jesus.

It’s no accident that Jesus taught in timeless #parables. The new #BibleAndBeyond mini-course (video lectures plus 90-minute discussion), “Jesus the Storyteller,” invites you to pause, listen, and think about things differently. Sunday, March 8, 8pm Eastern earlychristiantexts.net/jesus-the-st...

Christianity by the Century: Third Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Fourth-century Christianity shifted from persecuted faith to imperial power, reshaping authority, doctrine, and what it meant to be Christian

If the third century shaped #Christianity through suffering, the fourth reshaped it through power. Bishops, councils, and empire changed what it meant to be “Christian.” Read the current #BibleAndBeyond blog post series on Christian history.
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The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

How did King Solomon end up in later extracanonical writings? Join the #BibleAndBeyond Discussion by Zoom (free) in conversation with David Brakke on Feb 16. Hint: demons and virgin births are involved, but Solomon’s power still opposed cosmic evil. earlychristiantexts.com/early-christ...

Karen King Discusses Mary Magdalene as a Leader in Early Christianity Karen King discusses the complexity and significance of Mary Magdalene in early Christian texts with a focus on the Gospel of Mary.

New #BibleAndBeyond podcast episode: Dr. Karen King and I discuss the #GospelOfMary—its wild modern discovery, its missing pages, Mary’s authority, and what it means to “put on the perfect Human.” earlychristiantexts.com/karen-king-m...

Christianity by the Century: Third Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Persecution and martyrdom shaped Christian identity in the third century CE; suffering became resistance, power, and a defining mark of faith.

In the 3rd century CE, “Christian” came to mean opposition to Rome—and an identification with suffering. From #Perpetua to Cyprian, martyrdom reshaped Christian identity. New #BibleAndBeyond blog post in “Christianity by the Century” series.
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The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

Did the Gospel of Judas completely reject Jesus’s disciples—or leave room for their repentance? This discussion looks closely at the Gospel’s final scene and its question about apostolic succession. Join the conversation Mon, Jan 26, 8pm ETD.
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How Later Anti-Jewish Readings Distort the New Testament Meredith Warren explains how Judeophobia entered New Testament interpretation—and why reading these texts kindly matters today.

Dr. Meredith Warren explains how Judeophobia entered later New Testament interpretation—and why reading critically and kindly matters today. Listen to the #BibleAndBeyond podcast interview. earlychristiantexts.com/anti-jewish-...

Christianity by the Century: Second Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Second Century CE Christianity brings chaos, creativity, and diversity—from Alexandria’s thinkers to Marcion, Irenaeus, and Gospel of Mary.

Chaos breeds creativity. The 2nd century CE saw Jesus’s followers rethink their faith after Jerusalem’s fall—birthplace of new gospels, visions, and debates. Read this #ChristianityByTheCentury blog post. #BibleAndBeyond
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Illuminating the Secret Revelation of John Spotlight Series - Episode 2 - "Jesus, Sophia, and Aeons" YouTube video by Early Christian Texts

What do Jesus and Sophia have in common? Arthur Dewey and Shirley Paulson explore their connection through timeless aeons of divine wisdom. The Bible and Beyond Course begins Jan 6! earlychristiantexts (dot)net/live-online-hybrid/#scheduled www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uD5...

Bible and Beyond Live Online Hybrid Courses Our live online hybrid courses allow users to watch course lectures 24/7, and participate in live online discussions with a group.

Great news! We’re offering the course on the Secret Revelation of John (SRJ), starting Jan 6, led by Shirley Paulson, PhD. Of great importance among the Nag Hammadi Christian texts, SRJ resonates deeply with thoughtful Christians and curious historians. earlychristiantexts.net/live-online-...

Why Romans Destroyed the Jewish Temple a Generation After Jesus’s Crucifixion In a captivating historical novel, Sanford explains why and how the ancient Romans finally destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

In our #BibleAndBeyond podcast interview about his book, Ward Sanford blends rigorous historical research with vivid fictional characters. His dramatic Cry For Jerusalem narrates the turbulent years leading up to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.
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The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

What kind of world was Jesus born into? Guest scholar Joan Taylor explores Jesus’s childhood in a time of danger, migration, and resilience. Mon, Nov 24 | 8pm Eastern (5pm Pacific) | Free on Zoom earlychristiantexts.com/early-christ...

Christianity by the Century: The First Century CE The first century CE: turmoil, empire, and faith. How Jesus’s life and Rome’s domination prompted soul-searching and theological struggle.

Christianity by the Century: 1st century—Rome ruled, poverty spread, and faith was tested. After Jesus was crucified, and the Temple fell some years later, despair reigned, but hope was reborn in a Galilean’s message. Read this #BibleAndBeyond blog post. earlychristiantexts.com/christianity...

Beyond the Canon: Why Apocrypha Matters | Bible & Beyond Podcast Learning about the New Testament apocrypha matters. These texts reveal hidden questions about Jesus, God’s suffering, and evolving faith.

Condemned, forgotten, then rediscovered—Dr. Tobias Nicklas shows how apocryphal stories keep shaping faith and imagination. They are the living stories of people who have loved Christ Jesus.
#EarlyChristianity #BibleAndBeyond
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The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

Monday night!
Dynamic new perspectives are challenging Eusebius’s history — and reshaping how we understand Christianity’s beginnings.
Come talk with guest scholar, Dr. Lillian Larsen, live via Zoom.
October 27, 8pm Eastern (5pm Pacific)
#ChristianHistory
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Heresies and Power in Early Christianity | Bible and Beyond Podcast Early Christian heresies are important to study. They reveal power struggles, lost voices, and the surprising diversity of faith.

Why did early Christians fight so fiercely about being right? Bart Ehrman explains how heresy shaped orthodoxy—and why Christianity’s obsession with “right belief” was a historical first. earlychristiantexts.com/heresies-bar...

Most of what we think we know about early Christianity comes from Eusebius. But what if his story misled us? Dr. Lillian Larsen shares new perspectives. Join us for this Bible and Beyond Discussion!
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Christianity by the Century: The First Century BCE and the Birth of Jesus Herod’s reign, Roman power, and Davidic hopes shaped the 100-0 BCE—setting the stage for Jesus’s birth in a world of trauma and expectation.

Before Jesus’s birth, Judea had been reshaped in the first century BCE. Rome replaced Greece as the dominant power, Herod the Great reigned with violence, and Bethlehem was a place of trauma and expectation. Explore the world Jesus was born into:
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Jesus the Healer: Power, Mystery, and Meaning – Bible and Beyond Courses Jesus’s ministry is not a distant legend, but is a bold vision of salvation and wholeness—still resonant and relevant today.

What made Jesus’s healings so different? Discover the power, mystery, and meaning behind ancient healing — and why it still matters today. Jesus the Healer — new Bible and Beyond mini course Sun, Oct 19, 7:30pm Eastern (4:30 Pacific) #BibleHistory earlychristiantexts.net/jesus-the-he...

The Council of Nicaea at 1700 Years | Bible and Beyond Podcast 1700 years later, the Council of Nicaea still stirs debate. Why did it matter then—and why does it still shape Christianity today?

1700 years later, the Council of Nicaea still sparks debate. In this podcast, Rev. Benjamin Wyatt unpacks Constantine’s role, Arius’s controversy, and why defining Christ’s divinity mattered so deeply. Listen here:
earlychristiantexts.com/council-of-n...

The Council of Nicaea at 1700 Years | Bible and Beyond Podcast 1700 years later, the Council of Nicaea still stirs debate. Why did it matter then—and why does it still shape Christianity today?

1700 years later, the Council of Nicaea still sparks debate. In this podcast, Rev. Benjamin Wyatt unpacks Constantine’s role, Arius’s controversy, and why defining Christ’s divinity mattered so deeply. Listen here:
earlychristiantexts.com/council-of-n...

Tomorrow night! Don’t miss talking with Dr. Robert Miller at #BibleAndBeyond Discussion on “Did Jesus Fulfill Prophecy?” Sept 22, 8pm Eastern / 5pmPacific. Free. Get info here: earlychristiantexts.com/discussions/...

The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Monday evening, Sept 22, 8pm Eastern! What do Jewish scriptures really prophesy and say about Jesus? Come speak with guest scholar, Robert Miller, earlychristiantexts.com/discussions/...

The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

Does Jesus truly fulfill Jewish prophecy? We’ll explore this with scholar Robert J. Miller in a live #BibleAndBeyond Zoom Discussion on Sept. 22, at 8pm Eastern. Join us as we explore the complexities behind one of Christianity’s central claims. earlychristiantexts.com/discussions/...

Christianity by the Century: Second Century BCE | B+B Blog Discover how Jewish struggles with Greek culture in the 2nd century BCE birthed martyrdom, apocalyptic hope, and wisdom shaping Christianity.

Before Jesus, there was a century of upheaval, hope, and martyrdom. The 2nd century BCE reshaped Jewish faith and prepared the ground for Christianity. Learn more by reading the new #BibleAndBeyond blog post. #ChristianHistory
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Did Paul Write Any of His Letters in the Bible? | B + B Podcast Dr. Nina Livesey shares her research and concludes why Paul could not have been the author of any of the New Testament “Pauline” letters.

Did #Paul actually write ANY letters in the #NewTestament? Dr. Nina Livesey’s new research points to a surprising answer. Listen to this month’s #BibleAndBeyond podcast. #ChristianHistory

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Christianity by the Century: Third Century BCE | B+B Blog The 3rd century BCE is thought of as being a silent era after Jewish prophets, but it was full of Jewish interest in angels and demons.

The third century BCE isn’t so silent or boring, but alive with voices imagining a cosmos filled with angels and demons. This third post in the #BibleAndBeyond’s Christian History by the Century series explains its importance for future Christian beliefs.

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