Those who have immersed themselves in these texts have been strengthened, shocked, inspired, and healed by relating to them. They contain extraordinary gems of wisdom, but also challenge preconceived notions about what it meant and what it means to identify as a follower of Jesus.
Ancient Christian Texts for Modern Healing is an introduction to early Christian writings and their challenges or promises for transforming the world. This course is offered through the website, Udemy. There are plans to offer many more!
Taught by Shirley Paulson, PhD, the introduction course provides a good foundation for continued study. Learn more about the course here.
For more about Early Christian Texts, visit the About page.
Once a month, at 8–9 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday nights (generally the fourth of the month), the Tanho Center sponsors a presentation and discussion of one of the early Christ movement texts. Each Monday session is led by a trained scholar of these texts. Discussion leaders will share a well-framed overview of the particular text, and give time for all participants to ask questions or share their own insights about the meanings and potential for these texts.
Conference Presentations and Similar Events
Title: “Enlightenment on Psychological Aspects of New Testament Healing from Nag Hammadi”
Type: Scholarly Paper Presentation
Date: July 4, 2019, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (during the SBL International Meeting)
Where: The Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Gregorian University
Visit the Event page to learn more about Early Christian Texts presentations.
Please use the contact form for more information on upcoming events.
The Bible and Beyond Blog
The Bible and Beyond blog explores historical and spiritual questions about Jesus, women, salvation, healing, the meaning of life, and where Christianity came from. This blog opens the conversation that will help all writers and readers unlock some of the mysteries from extra-canonical books, forgotten scriptures, so-called “gnostic” gospels, and the Bible. Read Shirley Paulson’s introductory post here.
The Bible and Beyond Podcast
The Bible and Beyond podcast is a series of interviews with scholars who are able to unlock mysteries from extra-canonical books, forgotten scriptures, so-called ‘gnostic’ gospels, as well as the Bible. Host Shirley Paulson, Ph.D., and her guests explore historical and spiritual questions about Jesus, gender, women, salvation, healing, and the meaning of life. The discoveries these scholars share don’t always fit with what we’ve been told, but time and again they lead us toward a deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Click here to visit the podcast information and archive page.
Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn.
Is Martha the Sister of Mary Magdalene?
"Mary Magdalene seems to have the most prominence in the Gospel of John, and I wondered if it’s possible if that early controversy could have affected the text of the Bible."
Protevangelium of James: New/Old Views of Mary
I was trained in traditional texts, but drawn to non-normative books and what they can reveal about gender and the construction of one’s identity. Franҫois Bovon considers the Protevangelium of James to be “useful for the soul.”
Shepherd of Hermas: Ancient and Modern Respect for the Poor
In Shepherd of Hermas, Elliott finds distinguishing Christian feature: the poor are to be honored. All of us – slaves and masters – should be servants to God.