Home » The Bible and Beyond
Enjoy posts about a variety of subjects, all designed to help you look at religion, the Bible, and early Christian texts in a new way.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:02:19-05:00March 26th, 2020|Tags: Early Christian Communities, Gratitude, Music, Odes of Solomon|
We’re so accustomed to reading about early Christians, but now try to imagine them singing! And today, we invite you to sing again.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:02:30-05:00March 12th, 2020|Tags: COVID-19, Crucifixion, Gospel of Truth, Jesus|
Right now, we’re in an “all-in-it-together” world. Why not consider the power of the contagion of calm to see what happens while we’re figuring out how to deal with this “all-in-it-together” experience the best way?
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:02:39-05:00February 26th, 2020|Tags: Demons, Healing, Magic, Psalms|
It's very likely that other demons were associated with other particular things. And it's interesting that he says this demon – that's the ‘noonday demon’ – is the demon represented in Psalm 91.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:02:45-05:00February 13th, 2020|Tags: Jesus, Letter of Peter to Philip, Violence|
I don’t think I’ve ever heard this message preached in church, in self-help books, or even among friends! What an unusual way to respond to fear, violence and injustice! To heal others.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:02:57-05:00January 23rd, 2020|Tags: Faith, Letter of Peter to Philip, Odes of Solomon, Secret Revelation of John, Sentences of Sextus, Testimony of Truth|
I understand study leads to loss of faith. But I also want to bear witness to the way this study can be the source of deeper faith and trust.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:03:06-05:00January 9th, 2020|Tags: Empowerment, Freedom, Hypostasis of the Archons, Reality of the Rulers, Secret Revelation of John|
Dr. King drew on Biblical imagery for his conviction in this empowerment, and he would undoubtedly have appreciated the powerful message in support of his cause from the then-unknown extracanonical texts.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:03:13-05:00December 12th, 2019|Tags: Christmas, Gospel of Luke, Gospel of Matthew, Nativity Story|
I was afraid to consider the implications, because Christmas had become a profoundly religious experience for me by now. Was this discovery going to shatter my faith?
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:04:29-05:00November 25th, 2019|Tags: Eucharist, Fellowship, Gratitude, Thanksgiving|
The simple willingness to be grateful inspires others to notice something good and do something about it.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:04:38-05:00November 14th, 2019|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Gratitude, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Transformation|
I’m intrigued with examples of transformation I’ve seen from the writers of the Bible and extracanonical texts: … “We are happy. You have taught us about yourself.”
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-06T09:06:26-05:00October 24th, 2019|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Gospel of Judas, Grief, Optimism, Victimization|
This author is angry that people would mourn and agree to limitations and suffering, instead of throwing out the powers of darkness. This message of optimism is not naivete, but a rebuke to acquiescence.
