Is Jesus the Founder of Christianity?
Christians have had a difficult time acknowledging that Jesus was a Jew, despite the obvious fact his mother was a Jewish woman. Therefore, he was a Jew. So, what’s the problem?
Valentinus: Ancient Heretic or True Christian?
Modern scholarship has, therefore, painted a much more complex picture of early Christianity. It was a fluid world with different streams, communities, and leaders. And Valentinus was among them! (Part 1 of 4)
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
Jewish and Christian Traditions in the Didache
The author reveres Jesus as a servant of God, a prophet, and follows the Jewish law. It would seem that assumptions of many regarding the early separation of Judaism and Christianity may have been wrong.
Was Ancient Manichaeism Christian?
He (Mani) saw himself as not only teaching Christianity, but THE Christianity. So, what happened historically? You have competition. You have competition between the leaders who think they are the ones who are teaching the correct version. An interview with Dr. Jason BeDuhn
Original Christian Identity: A Matter of Belonging
When Perpetua, like so many of the early martyrs in these ancient stories, declared, “I am Christian,” what she really declared was, “I belong to the party of the Christ.”
Manichaeans and the Insider-Outsider Debate
Some scholars treat Manicaheism the same way Americans treat Asian-Americans. They’re from somewhere else. Guests, but not from here – they’re outsiders. An interview with Dr. Jae Han.
Noncanonical Texts Illuminate the Bible
"This is the biggest thrust from After Jesus Before Christianity. How will we end up talking about those first two centuries, now that you’ve exposed that these words don’t work right?" An interview with Dr. Shirley Paulson.
What Does the Biblical Book of Revelation Mean?
But based on the two predominant views, the Revelation to John has never made sense to many—often most—Bible readers, much less to non-Christians.
Surprising Remedy for American Decline in Religion: Ancient Religious Texts
How strong and vibrant Christianity will be during these next two decades depends primarily on how much creativity and vitality it can produce.