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In The Bible and Beyond blog, you’ll read explorations of historical and spiritual questions about Jesus, women, salvation, healing, the meaning of life, and where Christianity came from. This blog, curated by Shirley Paulson and Hal Taussig, opens the conversation that will help us – writers and readers – unlock some of the mysteries from extra-canonical books, forgotten scriptures, so-called “gnostic” gospels, and the Bible.
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Basileia: Kingdom of God or Empire of God?
“The (Father’s) empire is inside you and outside you.” The various performances of the right answer suggest the oral tradition had a hard time finding the gist for the correct answer.
“The Thought of Norea” from the Nag Hammadi Library
She’s modeling for us how to find the divine help for ourselves and how, in turn, we become helpers for others. Norea provides one more window on the world of the early Christ followers.
Why the Gospel of Luke Framed Mary Magdalene
Diminishing the women’s role paves the way for the preeminence of Peter and the twelve apostles. Luke completely succeeded. That became the foundation for the myth of Christian origins.
The Secret Teaching of Mary Magdalene
In the Gospel of Mary, Peter asked Mary to tell the disciples the secret teaching she heard from Jesus, but he became angry after she told it.
How Did Mary Magdalene Lose Her Reputation?
"Now you know how she lost her reputation. I think it's time in our generation that we give it back to her. She was a noble follower of Jesus from the very beginning." A video featuring Dr. Brandon Scott.
Jesus at His Trial in the Gospel of Mark
Jesus stands before the chief priest powerless and humiliated. Yet he claims to be the Anointed, the son of the Blessed One. His lack of power in the face of the chief priest’s evident power constitutes blasphemy
Praying in Secret
I think Thunder got it right: we shouldn’t be surprised to discover how spiritual dullness continues to oppose the quest for spiritual understanding. When we pray in secret, we hear by thunder.
Five Good Reasons Why Bible Readers Should Read 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.
The Gospel of Mark: The Good News of Transgressing Boundaries
Our author has provided us with new eyes with which to view the story, the good news. Use those eyes, and the story will open up in amazing ways.
The Bible Can Be Art (As Well as Text)
Is a t-shirt with John 3:16 on it bible? It’s not a bible, it’s not the Bible, but it’s bible, in some sense.
The Difficulties and the Art of Bible Translation
Looking over my shoulder as I translate gives you some idea of the many decisions that must be made to reach a good translation.
Gun Violence: Answers from the Letter of Peter to Philip
We’ve prayed before. We’ve cried before. We’ve blamed others before. Have we run out of options? That’s the question that brings me back to the only ancient Christian text I’m aware of that deals so directly with violence.
Legions of Laughter: What’s Up with Those 2,000 Pigs?
Here’s to humor that paints a dark, funny, and different perspective. Here’s to letting the people who look like they are in trouble chuckle about their future. Here’s to violent legions rushing toward their own demise.
Consequences of Biblical Translations: Only as Good as the Original
A translation can become fixed, immutable, and sacred. … All too often a translation becomes an idol. Bible translations tend to become THE BIBLE for a community and substitute for the original languages.
How Early Jesus Followers Understood the Meaning of Salvation
The meaning of salvation has shifted from an original focus on rescue from danger, disease and sin. The Secret Revelation of John is an example.
Facing the Brutality of Russia in Ukraine: Lessons from the Roman Empire
We are finding that facing Russian violence needs ... complex combinations of courage, creativity, community, hidden transcripts, and aliveness by regular people.
The Secret Revelation of John: Not without Controversy
For those who want to hold power and authority over others, the value of this ancient text remains controversial, because it discusses the kind of freedom that offends authoritarian control.
‘Teknon’ in The Prodigal Son Parable: Child or Son?
The elder is not simply a son; he is the father’s child, … In the terms of first century cultural expectations, the observant reader will notice that this father is playing the role of a mother.
An Ancient Prayer of Gratitude for the ‘Divine Womb’
Take in, if you can, the depth of this Divinity, and the way it is expressed. Notice how it proposes that Divinity itself is characterized primarily by growth.
Sophia (Wisdom) in the Bible and Other Christian Texts
Wisdom is ideally prepared to save humanity from its sinful ways precisely because she is wise enough and experienced enough to understand all the tempting ways of the devil.
The Origin of the Word ‘Christ’
The shifts from ‘Messiah,’ to christos, to christus, to ‘Christ’ were momentous. In the process, the root meaning of g-d’s anointed king was forfeited and with that several things were lost.
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