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In The Bible and Beyond, 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 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.
Please share your insights in the comments area of each post. Also, come on over to the Early Christian Texts Facebook page for more conversation, or share posts on Twitter to invite others to join in. Your thoughts can help the whole community see from a broader perspective.
Your questions and ideas about The Bible and Beyond will help guide what topics are chosen for discussion. Please use the form at the bottom of this page to share your suggestions.
Thank you for joining in this great conversation!
Do you need the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in order to have Christmas?
I was afraid to consider the implications, because Christmas had become a profoundly religious experience for me by now. Was this discovery going to shatter my faith?
Happy Thanksgiving! You Might Be ‘Doing’ Religion without Even Realizing It
The simple willingness to be grateful inspires others to notice something good and do something about it.
The Power of Gratitude in the Prayer of Thanksgiving
I’m intrigued with examples of transformation I’ve seen from the writers of the Bible and extracanonical texts: … “We are happy. You have taught us about yourself.”
Gospel of Judas: Sorrow is Not the Master of Life
This author is angry that people would mourn and agree to limitations and suffering, instead of throwing out the powers of darkness. This message of optimism is not naivete, but a rebuke to acquiescence.
No Private Thoughts? Desire in The Shepherd of Hermas
His thoughts are not private. God sees into his mind. His mind has become a stage for the performance of his virtue. God is the audience for the performance on the stage of his mind.
How the Gospel of Thomas and the Secret Revelation of John Can Inform Our Thinking on Climate Change
One of the biggest problems in our global concern with climate change is the fact that people are angry and divided over the right course of action.
Is Salvation Your Choice or Your Destiny in the Secret Revelation of John?
In the Secret Revelation of John, the disciple John asks the Savior a crucial question: does everybody get saved? No, if we look at it one way. But yes, if we look at it another way.
Could Baptism be Inclusive Instead of Exclusive?
I can imagine how comforting those words would be for anyone who has been rejected, oppressed, or considered unclean. … This is a different picture from the way baptism works in my life today.
Extracanonical Teachings: What’s the Matter with Matter?
In many different forms of the biblical message, I learned there was a difference between a perception of the not-enough-world and the abundance of the heavenly realm as Jesus taught it.
New Clues for Ascent of the Soul in the Gospel of Mary
Since translating the fifth-century version of The Gospel of Mary, I’ve often pondered its central feature – a story about a soul’s perilous journey upward past seven malevolent Powers that seek to restrain it.
Jews and Christians: Our Shared Foundation
If the long-held distrust between the two faith communities is found to be built on shifting sands, perhaps the day will come when Christians and Jews can unite in a real mutual love of the Shepherd (Psalm 23).
Startling Discoveries of Ancient Christian Art Change Views of Women
Watch and listen as Dr. Ally Kateusz explains the historical and theological significance of the modern-day discovery and interpretation of ancient Christian art.
Finding Safety When There’s Good Reason to Be Afraid
"Surely the knowledge of [Jesus's] ‘sheltering grace’ is more useful than fear and anger, when it keeps us clear-headed."
Magic? Or New Testament Healing?
"The 'good news' I heard that night had a transforming effect on me. The love I felt was now everywhere around me. Healing and the transforming power ... of God have become intertwined for me now."
Mary and Early Christian Women: Hidden Leadership
"Kateusz’ approach to her study (her methodology) is almost as important as the results of her research, because it opens up new channels of discovery beyond her own work."
When Climate Becomes an Issue of Survival, This Is How God Saves
"Maybe it’s not too great a leap of faith to consider that the Creator of the world would be able to revive it (transform it / save it) when we allow the Spirit of Life to transform us first."
Making Sense of Jesus’ Resurrection in 2019
"Even if the stories about the crucifixion were contradictory or embellished, the fact is that there was something important about the meaning of Jesus, told in so many ways..."
Finding a way past doctrines that hurt
In [the] ancient texts, I found a model of what I have longed for— a tradition in which I can explore the meaning of Jesus for my own life but also work alongside those whose beliefs differ from mine.
Racism In early Christian communities?
We can't look to antiquity to find the model for classless (raceless) society, but some ancient writers do help us consider whether our divisions are based on theologically sound viewpoints.
What of the Christian Canon?
The canonical books of the Christian New Testament are foundational spiritual texts for Christians, but they are not the only texts written by early Christians.
Valentine’s Day Treat: Love, from Odes of Solomon
Throughout the Odes of Solomon, the writer praises the source of love that wells up and overflows into love for everything and everyone.
Questions or Suggestions for future blog posts?
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