Christianity by the Century: Fifth Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Crisis, plague, monastic life, and Neoplatonism reshaped 6th century Christianity, laying the foundations of medieval beliefs and traditions.

What does it mean to be Christian when the world feels like it’s falling apart? The 6th century faced plague, climate disruption, political upheaval, and deep division. Out of that instability came new forms of spiritual life. New #BibleAndBeyond blog post:
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Roman Catholic Appreciation of Gnosticsm | Bible & Beyond Podcast A Catholic woman bishop explores gnosis, mysticism, and women’s leadership—recovering inner knowing at the heart of early Christianity.

#Gnosis isn’t really outside Christianity; it’s at its heart. So says Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan, a Roman Catholic womanpriest speaking on the #BibleAndBeyond podcast about #mysticism, women’s leadership, and the #GospelOfMary. #EarlyChristianity earlychristiantexts.com/gnosis-woman...

The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

When did the Jesus movement become “Christianity”? Join us with Prof. Adèle Reinhartz as we explore how 19th–21st century scholarship — from Great Man theory to #postmodernism — shaped answers to that question. Free Zoom at the #BibleAndBeyond Discussion
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Two Fathers of Jesus: A New Perspective | Bible & Beyond Podcast Did Jesus have two fathers? Exploring Joseph, God, and divine parenthood in ancient Christian texts, canonical and extracanonical.

Historian Shawna Dolansky doesn’t think Eve is the villain that tradition makes her out to be. “Eve is the protagonist…she reasons…she acts, and she moves history forward.” Learn more from the latest #BibleAndBeyond podcast. earlychristiantexts.com/rethinking-e...

Christianity by the Century: Fifth Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog The basic theme of fifth century Christianity was conflict between centralized ecclesial authority and competing interpretations of belief.

The fifth century didn’t bring Christian unity—it exposed deep fractures. Councils at Ephesus and Chalcedon, Arian kingdoms in the West, and Augustine vs. Pelagius. How did Christianity survive the empire’s collapse in 476? Read the #BibleAndBeyond blog post
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Two Fathers of Jesus: A New Perspective | Bible & Beyond Podcast Did Jesus have two fathers? Exploring Joseph, God, and divine parenthood in ancient Christian texts, canonical and extracanonical.

Did Jesus have two fathers? From Joseph in the canonical gospels to the Gospel of Philip’s striking garden imagery, we explore divine and earthly fatherhood in early Christianity. Listen to the new episode of the #BibleAndBeyond podcast.
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Jesus the Storyteller: Awakening Love & Inspiring Action – Bible and Beyond Courses Jesus the Storyteller, a three-module mini course, explores several parables that provide food for thought and draw us closer to Jesus.

It’s no accident that Jesus taught in timeless #parables. The new #BibleAndBeyond mini-course (video lectures plus 90-minute discussion), “Jesus the Storyteller,” invites you to pause, listen, and think about things differently. Sunday, March 8, 8pm Eastern earlychristiantexts.net/jesus-the-st...

Christianity by the Century: Third Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Fourth-century Christianity shifted from persecuted faith to imperial power, reshaping authority, doctrine, and what it meant to be Christian

If the third century shaped #Christianity through suffering, the fourth reshaped it through power. Bishops, councils, and empire changed what it meant to be “Christian.” Read the current #BibleAndBeyond blog post series on Christian history.
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The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

How did King Solomon end up in later extracanonical writings? Join the #BibleAndBeyond Discussion by Zoom (free) in conversation with David Brakke on Feb 16. Hint: demons and virgin births are involved, but Solomon’s power still opposed cosmic evil. earlychristiantexts.com/early-christ...

Karen King Discusses Mary Magdalene as a Leader in Early Christianity Karen King discusses the complexity and significance of Mary Magdalene in early Christian texts with a focus on the Gospel of Mary.

New #BibleAndBeyond podcast episode: Dr. Karen King and I discuss the #GospelOfMary—its wild modern discovery, its missing pages, Mary’s authority, and what it means to “put on the perfect Human.” earlychristiantexts.com/karen-king-m...

Christianity by the Century: Third Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Persecution and martyrdom shaped Christian identity in the third century CE; suffering became resistance, power, and a defining mark of faith.

In the 3rd century CE, “Christian” came to mean opposition to Rome—and an identification with suffering. From #Perpetua to Cyprian, martyrdom reshaped Christian identity. New #BibleAndBeyond blog post in “Christianity by the Century” series.
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How Later Anti-Jewish Readings Distort the New Testament Meredith Warren explains how Judeophobia entered New Testament interpretation—and why reading these texts kindly matters today.

Dr. Meredith Warren explains how Judeophobia entered later New Testament interpretation—and why reading critically and kindly matters today. Listen to the #BibleAndBeyond podcast interview. earlychristiantexts.com/anti-jewish-...

Christianity by the Century: Second Century CE | Bible & Beyond Blog Second Century CE Christianity brings chaos, creativity, and diversity—from Alexandria’s thinkers to Marcion, Irenaeus, and Gospel of Mary.

Chaos breeds creativity. The 2nd century CE saw Jesus’s followers rethink their faith after Jerusalem’s fall—birthplace of new gospels, visions, and debates. Read this #ChristianityByTheCentury blog post. #BibleAndBeyond
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Why Romans Destroyed the Jewish Temple a Generation After Jesus’s Crucifixion In a captivating historical novel, Sanford explains why and how the ancient Romans finally destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

In our #BibleAndBeyond podcast interview about his book, Ward Sanford blends rigorous historical research with vivid fictional characters. His dramatic Cry For Jerusalem narrates the turbulent years leading up to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.
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Christianity by the Century: The First Century CE The first century CE: turmoil, empire, and faith. How Jesus’s life and Rome’s domination prompted soul-searching and theological struggle.

Christianity by the Century: 1st century—Rome ruled, poverty spread, and faith was tested. After Jesus was crucified, and the Temple fell some years later, despair reigned, but hope was reborn in a Galilean’s message. Read this #BibleAndBeyond blog post. earlychristiantexts.com/christianity...

Beyond the Canon: Why Apocrypha Matters | Bible & Beyond Podcast Learning about the New Testament apocrypha matters. These texts reveal hidden questions about Jesus, God’s suffering, and evolving faith.

Condemned, forgotten, then rediscovered—Dr. Tobias Nicklas shows how apocryphal stories keep shaping faith and imagination. They are the living stories of people who have loved Christ Jesus.
#EarlyChristianity #BibleAndBeyond
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Tomorrow night! Don’t miss talking with Dr. Robert Miller at #BibleAndBeyond Discussion on “Did Jesus Fulfill Prophecy?” Sept 22, 8pm Eastern / 5pmPacific. Free. Get info here: earlychristiantexts.com/discussions/...

The Bible and Beyond Discussions with Shirley Paulson Once a month, Shirley Paulson presents a new installment of the Bible and Beyond Monday textual studies discussions.

Does Jesus truly fulfill Jewish prophecy? We’ll explore this with scholar Robert J. Miller in a live #BibleAndBeyond Zoom Discussion on Sept. 22, at 8pm Eastern. Join us as we explore the complexities behind one of Christianity’s central claims. earlychristiantexts.com/discussions/...

Christianity by the Century: Second Century BCE | B+B Blog Discover how Jewish struggles with Greek culture in the 2nd century BCE birthed martyrdom, apocalyptic hope, and wisdom shaping Christianity.

Before Jesus, there was a century of upheaval, hope, and martyrdom. The 2nd century BCE reshaped Jewish faith and prepared the ground for Christianity. Learn more by reading the new #BibleAndBeyond blog post. #ChristianHistory
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Did Paul Write Any of His Letters in the Bible? | B + B Podcast Dr. Nina Livesey shares her research and concludes why Paul could not have been the author of any of the New Testament “Pauline” letters.

Did #Paul actually write ANY letters in the #NewTestament? Dr. Nina Livesey’s new research points to a surprising answer. Listen to this month’s #BibleAndBeyond podcast. #ChristianHistory

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Come join the free live #BibleAndBeyond Discussion with @Andersonsview (Paul N. Anderson). Topic: “Why Is John So Different from the Other Gospels, and Why Is It So Important?” Monday, Aug 25, 8pm Eastern (5pm Pacific).
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Christianity by the Century: Fourth Century BCE | B+B Blog This is the 2nd in the series on Christian history by the century, on the fourth century BCE, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great.

#Plato and #Aristotle laid the intellectual groundwork for Christian thought. Through Alexander the Great’s conquests, 4th century Greek philosophy set the stage for Christianity’s deepest ideas about the soul, virtue, and truth. #BibleAndBeyond blog
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Thecla's Challenge to the Early Christian World | B + B Podcast Thecla heard in Paul’s message a promise for life beyond the Roman world, but her new freedom also challenged the early Christian leaders.

When #Thecla heard Paul preach, her life changed forever. She left her fiancé, defied death, and claimed her own authority. Hear how Thecla’s commitment to the new teachings embraced and challenged the early Christian leaders. #BibleAndBeyond
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The Complicated Lives of Enslaved Women of the Bible A closer look at the lives of marginalized enslaved women of the Bible—such as sex-worker women—enriches our understanding of the Bible.

Biblical stories of enslaved people appear to treat them as mere props for the ‘real’ story, causing modern readers to miss the forces at work. Listen to the #BibleAndBeyond podcast interview with @clcobb629 discussing forced prostitution as one example.
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Christianity by the Century: Fifth Century BCE | B+B Blog This is the first post in the series on Christian history by the century, focusing on the 5th century BCE, Socrates and Plato.

Our new #BibleAndBeyond blog post begins the series on the history of key events and characters that shaped #Christianity and its many forms, century by century. Learn about the influence of #Socrates and #Plato in the fifth century BCE.

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Christian-Jewish Relations on the Eve of Islam | B+B Discussions Understanding the complex realities of the Jewish-Christian relations during the pre-Islamic era provides a nuanced image of Arabian life.

Another great Bible and Beyond Discussion to stretch your mind! #EarlyChristians #BibleAndBeyond

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Is There a Connection Between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library? Part 1 of this two-part series explains the origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library and why to study them together.

The #DeadSeaScrolls and #NagHammadi Library are traditionally studied separately. But Matthew Goff (DSS scholar) and Dylan Burns (NH scholar) discuss why studying them together enriches our understanding of both. Part 1 of 2. #BibleAndBeyond podcast.

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Why Gnosticism Became a Threat | Bible and Beyond Blog In this essay, Dr. Shirley Paulson examines why gnosticism became a threat to the orthodox Christian church. What was so likable about it?

Shirley Paulson explains that gnosticism became a threat to the orthodox Christian church because it was likeable! Learn about what ended up being labeled as ‘gnosticism' and why it was appealing to many. #BibleAndBeyond blog post.
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The Manichaean Story of Adam and Eve | B+B Discussions The ancient Manichaeans’ made creative use of the Adam and Eve story to explain evil: a scheme to imprison light through human reproduction.

The archive of the April #BibleAndBeyond Discussion is now available. Shirley Paulson and Paul Dilley discuss #AdamAndEve, but from the eyes of the #Manichaeans. Watch the video or read the full transcript of "The Manichaean Story of Adam and Eve."

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The Easter Women | Bible and Beyond Discussions The women who found Jesus’s empty tomb are often forgotten at Easter, but a fabulous ivory pyxis reveals their importance in antiquity.

Watch our latest #BibleAndBeyond Discussion recording! It's an interview with Dr. Ally Kateusz about "The Easter Women." See some art, learn some info about women in the early church. Full transcript available.
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