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Early Christian Texts creates online courses for those who want to find out more about the ancient texts. Learn about the remarkable spiritual gems these texts contain, gems that illuminate the Bible and strengthen its meaning in everyday life.
New courses are always in development, and suggestions for course topics are welcome. What would you like to learn? Contact us and let us know.
Learn more about the various ways you can access and particpate in the courses.
Online Courses on the Udemy Platform
Several courses are offered by Early Christian Texts on the Udemy online educational platform.
When you purchase a course on Udemy, you learn at your own pace. You will listen to recorded lectures and view prepared materials, take quizzes, and spend time contemplating insightful questions posed by instructors.
Courses on Udemy are $99.99 for lifetime access to all the materials. You can give our Udemy courses as gifts! Find out how.
Learn more and purchase courses from Udemy by visiting individual course pages. Click here.
Please note, purchasing courses on Udemy using the links on this website, like the one above, results in Early Christian Texts receiving the majority of your purchase price. Purchasing from Udemy without using the links you find here on earlychristiantexts.com (for example, going directly to Udemy.com) results in Udemy recieving most of your purchase price. Please use the links on this website to purchase.
Live Online Hybrid Courses through Early Christian Texts
Our live online hybrid courses allow you to watch a video lecture series at your convenience (course lectures are available 24/7) and participate in several hours of scheduled Zoom group discussions about the material, led by Dr. Shirley Paulson. Registration for a hybrid class is $100 and includes access to the course materials for at least two years.
Live online hybrid courses are offered directly from Early Christian Texts. These courses are made available at different times throughout the year, and often focus on what a text can offer to those with a special areas of interest.
Online Courses from The People’s Catholic Seminary (PCS)
From time to time Early Christian Texts presents live online hybrid courses for the People’s Catholic Seminary. Here’s what PCS says about their organization on their website:
PCS offers pathways to theological and ministerial competencies in a renewed priestly ministry that nurtures our baptismal call to live holy lives as midwives of grace in mystical, prophetic, and sacramental communities of equals.
The PCS courses are similar to the online hybrid courses offered directly through Early Christian Texts. Participants listen to recorded video lectures and prepare for group discussions. Zoom discussions follow each video section, and these discussions are recorded for those who wish to listen again. Although the course materials are the same as those used in the Early Christian Texts online hybrid courses, most (but not all) of the people on the Zoom discussions at PCS have a Catholic background with a deep interest in learning.
Most courses on PCS cost $100 and include lifetime access to the lectures and printed materials.
Check the course schedule to find out about any PCS courses scheduled to begin soon.
All Online Courses Offered by Early Christian Texts
Learn more about each course and purchase from Udemy by visiting the individual course pages below.
The Secret Revelation of John Course
Fourth in the Nag Hammadi Series the Secret Revelation of John, expands readers' modern understanding of the biblical world in extraordinary ways. Written about the same time or just a bit later than other biblical texts, it reveals a side of the Jesus movement that was invisible to the world for over 1600 years. In this online course, Dr. Shirley Paulson explores the book’s three major ideas – gems – that support its healing and saving message.
The Thought of Norea: Christ’s Sister Savior
Third in the Nag Hammadi Series The Thought of Norea, found in the Nag Hammadi texts in 1945, not only indicates the reality of this female Savior, but in her divine-human state, she illustrates for humanity how her divinity might be attainable by others. This course, the third in the Nag Hammadi series, is presented by Dr. Shirley Paulson and Dr. Hal Taussig.
After Jesus Before Christianity: New Discoveries
This course, After Jesus Before Christianity: New Discoveries, is presented by Dr. Shirley Paulson and Dr. Deborah N. Saxon. The course is designed to help you gain a better understanding of early Jesus people by examining information from a wide variety of sources, including the book After Jesus Before Christianity.
Healing Violence in the World: Letter of Peter to Philip
Second in the Nag Hammadi Series Presenters Dr. Shirley Paulson and her co-instructor, Dr. Hal Taussig, guide you through some surprising new ideas about Jesus in this little-known text, the Letter of Peter to Philip. Jesus gives his ambassadors (i.e. disciples) instructions in six steps that lead his followers (from long ago and now) to experience peace, joy, and even healing in the face of violence.
The Gospel of Thomas Goes Public
First 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, while helping you gain confidence in your own ability to interpret and make use of it.
Ancient Christian Texts for Modern Healing
This class, offered by Early Christian Texts and taught by Dr. Shirley Paulson, is an introductory course constructed especially for spiritually curious people who don’t have much experience with the books circulated during the early days of Christianity. As well as providing a foundation for more the advanced courses, Ancient Christian Texts for Modern Healing gives users insights into the healing beliefs and practices of early Jesus followers.