St John the Evangelist
Christianity

The Acts of John, and The Polymorphism of Jesus

February 25, 2019

Many of the apocryphal gospels were essentially novels written during the early Christian era, and they were filled with adventurous tales of shipwrecks, necrophilia, self-mutilation, and other wild stories. […]

oil painting of Jesus standing at the sea side
Christianity

Apocrypha: The Wisdom of Jesus Christ

July 5, 2017

The New Testament gives us 27 canonical texts—gospels, letters, and more—but these works are only a tiny fraction of the many volumes written about the life of Jesus, his family, and the apostles. This alternative body of literature falls under the category of “apocrypha,” which means “hidden” or “secret,” and it offers fascinating insights into the early Christian world and how different groups understood the teachings of Jesus and the first apostles. […]

Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus in a stained glass portrait
Historical Approaches

What Can The Apocrypha Teach Us About Mary?

June 13, 2017

While Mary is present in the Canonical gospels, its really in the early Christian apocrypha that she becomes the leader among the saints. Explore several key texts to uncover what we know about Jesus’ mother, her relationship with the disciples, and what makes her unique among the New Testament figures. […]

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The Apocryphal Jesus

May 23, 2017

Much of what we know about Jesus today actually comes from apocryphal sources rather than the Bible. The Apocryphal Jesus is your chance to learn about the breadth and depth of the early Christian world from a variety of sources—many of which were considered heretical at various times in history. […]