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.
The Gospel of Thomas Goes Public
The Gospel of Thomas Goes Public is the first course in the Nag Hammadi series.
Presenters Dr. Shirley Paulson and her co-instructor, Dr. Hal Taussig, explain the complex but extremely important relationship between the recently discovered Gospel of Thomas and the Bible, and help learners gain confidence in their own ability to interpret and make use of the text. Sign up and purchase on Udemy.
Ancient Christian Texts for Modern Healing
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! Sign up and purchase on Udemy.
Taught by Shirley Paulson, PhD, the introduction course provides a good foundation for continued study. Learn more about the course here.
Monday Textual Studies
Once a month, at 8–9 pm Eastern Time on Monday nights (generally the fourth of the month), Dr. Hal Taussig presents an online discussion of one of the early Christ movement texts. These discussions, hosted by Shirley Paulson, PhD, begin with a well-framed overview of the particular text, and then participants ask questions and share their own insights about the meanings and potential for these texts.
Conference Presentations and Similar Events
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 Articles
The Bible and Beyond articles take readers beyond the surface of some of their favorite ancient texts, to show what’s happening behind the scenes and why these writings can be so meaningful to us today. Some texts are obscure, and few people know about them. Others are well known, but their meaning remains a mystery.
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.
What the Apostles Did after the Resurrection
"Christian believers for the past two millennia haven’t distinguished between canonical and noncanonical sources. Lots of stories in noncanonical texts have been just as much true stories for believers as canonical texts. Lots of stories in noncanonical texts have been just as much true stories for believers as canonical texts." An interview with Dr. Janet Spittler.
Shapira Deuteronomy Fragments: Forgery or Authentic?
"I would suggest keeping a cool head and reserving judgment. Good scholarship takes time—thinking about … all the stuff that comes out on the internet very, very rapidly." An interview about the Shapira Scroll with Dr. Tony Burke.
The Gospel of Matthew’s Problematic Prophecies
"Looking at contemporary writers helped me understand how Matthew was quoting the Old Testament—which ... turned out to be pretty much the common practice of the day." An Interview with Robert J. Miller.