What Are the Best Words to Use For ‘Early Jesus People’ and Their Work?
As we think through what Jesus said and did, we will look for the most appropriate words to identify Jesus, his people, and their work. Presenter: Rev. Gordon Raynal
Wisdom for Today from Extracanonical Texts
Learn about eight of the modern discoveries of ancient, second-century Jesus-oriented texts. They demonstrate both their diversity and their shockingly relevant meaning for today. Presenters: Dr. Hal Taussig, Natalie Perkins, and Dr. Shirley Paulson
Jewish and Christian Women of Antiquity
It is difficult to learn about the lives of Jewish and Christian women in antiquity because most of the written history was written by men who embodied the prevalent male-dominating attitudes of the era. Presenters: Dr. Sara Parks and Dr. Shirley Paulson
Augustine, Sex, and the 21st Century Repercussions
Understanding Augustine’s teaching about human sexuality more accurately uncovers his capability of genuinely interrogating our modern cultural assumptions. As we reassess the criticisms, we can understand his cultural assumptions better too. Presenters: Dr. Sarah Morice-Brubaker and Dr. Shirley Paulson
Where Traditions about Jesus’s Apostles Came From
Cutting-edge research on ancient lists of apostles reveals their connection with the apocryphal acts of the apostles and shows why they (the lists) offer such important new information about the apostles. Presenters: Dr. Tony Burke and Dr. Shirley Paulson
Jesus, Gender, and the Importance of Christian Art
This discussion focuses on the role of art in our understanding of Jesus. Chad Venters will explore the ancient concepts of gender and how these concepts may surprise us, especially our mental images of Jesus. Presenters: Dr. Chad Venters and Dr. Shirley Paulson
Why the Gospel of John Is Such a Surprise
The Gospel of John has been overlooked in the historical search for Jesus. Surprisingly, this gospel is a more valuable resource than most scholars have admitted recently. Presenters: Dr. Paul N. Anderson and Dr. Shirley Paulson
The Impact of Poverty in Antiquity
What does it mean to be poor in antiquity? In addition to the well-known passages in the Bible concerning wealth and poverty, this Bible and Beyond Discussion will also look at the frequent references to “Fullness” and “Deficiency.” Presenters: Dr. Shirley Paulson and Dr. Elli Elliott (with host Hilary Barner)
What Did Jesus’s Disciples Do after He Was Gone?
Most people know whatever they know about the disciples from the Bible, but not much else. So we’re going to look at some of the other texts of the first couple of centuries. Presenters: Dr. Shirley Paulson and Dr. Christine Shea (with host Hilary Barner)
New Light on the Sermon on the Mount
New insight into the social realities of Jesus’ day reveals that his instructions call for a more radical vision of God’s Kingdom. Re-thinking familiar writings can challenge us to read them through first-century eyes. Presenter: Dr. Erin Vearncombe (with host Dr. Shirley Paulson)
Ancient Writings Before the New Testament
There are only 27 books in the New Testament, but over 100 circulated among the early followers of Jesus. Some have been known and available throughout Christian history, but others have been discovered rather recently. Presenter: Dr. Deborah N. Saxon (with host Dr. Shirley Paulson)
Why Are There Multiple Christmas Stories?
The biblical accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke have some similar features, such as Mary and Joseph attending the birth. But the details in both accounts are actually contradictory. Presenter: Dr. Shirley Paulson and Dr. Robert J. Miller (with host Hilary Barner)