By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2025-10-23T16:29:10-04:00October 23rd, 2025|Tags: Christianity, Extracanonical Texts, Healing, Jesus, Theology|
“Borg seems to pause at this line of inquiry, remarking that explaining how Jesus’ healings occurred is ‘beyond our purpose and probably impossible.’ While this may be a responsible scholarly posture, I believe he was on the threshold of a theology that could have made healing a centerpiece of Christian understanding.”
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2025-03-25T04:58:26-04:00December 17th, 2024|Tags: Ancient Writings, Apocrypha, Early Christian Texts, Extracanonical Texts, Nag Hammadi, Noncanonical Texts, Translation Issues|
When people begin to realize the treasures of the Nag Hammadi Library, the Gospel of Mary, and other extracanonical writings, they'll be happy to find more English translations to read on two excellent websites. An interview with Mark M. Mattison and Rachel Bousfield.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2023-10-24T03:09:54-04:00October 23rd, 2023|Tags: Ancient Writings, Extracanonical Texts, Gender Issues, Meaning of Life, Racial Justice|
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
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2023-04-25T05:01:00-04:00March 28th, 2023|Tags: Early Christian Texts, Extracanonical Texts, Gospel of Judas, Letter of Peter to Philip|
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)
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2023-05-29T21:44:13-04:00February 28th, 2023|Tags: Ancient Writings, Clothing, Extracanonical Texts, Nag Hammadi, New Testament|
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)
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2023-11-04T07:48:07-04:00January 24th, 2023|Tags: Ancient Writings, Extracanonical Texts, Justice, Nag Hammadi, 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)
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2022-08-31T03:01:23-04:00August 31st, 2022|Tags: Christian Canon, Extracanonical Texts, Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Thomas, New Testament, Noncanonical Texts|
Some obscure points in the canon may have much greater significance in the larger context of other works. Here is a detailed example to illustrate this point. Starting with Colossians.
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2022-07-28T06:58:41-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Nag Hammadi, The Thunder Perfect Mind|
Although not particularly noticed by scholars or religious groups, The Thunder: Perfect Mind has become one of the most engaging recently discovered early Christ texts. Presenter: Dr. Hal Taussig (with host Shirley Paulson, PhD)
By Dr. Hal Taussig|2021-01-21T02:26:09-05:00January 21st, 2021|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Gospel of Peter, Paul, Resurrection|
"A number of scholars suggest that the Gospel of Peter’s story may have been one of the earliest if not the earliest. It is time to take this possibility seriously."
By Shirley Paulson, PhD|2021-01-25T04:19:03-05:00January 14th, 2021|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Nag Hammadi, The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, Violence|
"Discovering the source of their hope, the disciples/apostles learn that their treasure is actually the discovery of their purpose in life."
By Dr. Hal Taussig|2021-01-25T04:19:36-05:00November 23rd, 2020|Tags: Extracanonical Texts, Gender Issues, Gospel of Mary, Jesus, Mary Magdalene|
"If I’m right that it is a really good, short book from 1800 years ago, then you may want to just mull over what some parts of it mean to you."
By Dr. Hal Taussig|2021-03-15T17:16:16-04:00October 22nd, 2020|Tags: Christianity, Community, Extracanonical Texts, Religion|
How strong and vibrant Christianity will be during these next two decades depends primarily on how much creativity and vitality it can produce.
