The Bible and Beyond Podcast Episode
If You Love the Bible, Look Closer at the Noncanonical Texts
An Interview with Dr. Shirley Paulson

Dr. Shirley Paulson
Dr. Brandon Scott interviews Dr. Shirley Paulson–the host of the Bible and Beyond podcast—about authoring a difficult chapter, “Jesus by Many Other Names,” in the new book, After Jesus Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements. Paulson speaks of her love for the noncanonical texts of the second century, and explains how they illuminate one’s understanding of Jesus, the Bible itself, and the debate over ‘Gnosticism.’
Shirley Paulson has a Master of Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Religion and Theology from the University of Birmingham (UK). The unique contribution of Shirley’s work is her research in noncanonical texts from the perspective of contemporary methodology in Practical Theology. She is widely regarded as an expert on the noncanonical text, The Secret Revelation of John, with a book coming out in 2022. Shirley has served as Head of Ecumenical Affairs for the world headquarters of The Christian Science Church for ten years and on the Board of the North American Academy of Ecumenists for 5 years.

Bernard Brandon Scott
Access some of Shirley Paulson’s work on Academia. edu.
Bernard Brandon Scott is the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa. He is a charter member of the Jesus Seminar and chair of Westar’s Christianity Seminar, and he is the author and editor of many books, including The Real Paul: Recovering His Radical Challenge and The Trouble with Resurrection.
I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this.
It makes me want to get more involved.
What a beautiful interview! I’m really excited to learn more about these writings. Looking forward to reading Shirley’s new book.