Book Study: The Girl Who Baptized Herself
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As a former high school English teacher, I was shocked when literally classics that I taught for years were banned from public schools in recent years. Book banning is nothing new. Massive bonfires in Nazi Germany were fueled by books in the early 1930s. What is considered the first book ban in the United States took place in1637. In 640 CE, according to legend, the caliph Omar burned all 200,000 volumes in the library at Alexandria in Egypt. In the mid-4th century, writings of books considered ‘gnostic’ fell to book-burning decrees.
We have started his summer with a sermon series looking at some of the writings from the early Jesus movement that were banned under imperial edits. In the first centuries of the Christian movement, there was no single book titled “The Holy Bible.” Various gospels, letters, philosophical and theological texts circulated independently; each was an account of someone’s understanding about Jesus and his message. They differed widely. In 367, Athanasius offered a list of 27 writings that he considered acceptable for Christian study. Thirty years later, the list was officially recognized as the New Testament.
Some of the Christian writings that were banned in the 4th century were not burned. Instead, the treasured writings were buried in the Egyptian desert. They lie safe in a clay jar for 1600 years before being accidentally unearthed in 1945. They were secured behind lock and key for another three decades before scholars gained access to translate and study these additional writings of early Christian communities.
Join us for worship this month to explore major themes of these writings to learn how similar and how different they present the message of Jesus of Nazareth.
There is also a book conversation about one of these texts. The Girl Who Baptized Herself highlights Thecla’s story found in The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Put this book on your summer reading list and join the discussion either on Sunday July 26th at 3:00 or on Wednesdays at noon starting July 22.
We have started his summer with a sermon series looking at some of the writings from the early Jesus movement that were banned under imperial edits. In the first centuries of the Christian movement, there was no single book titled “The Holy Bible.” Various gospels, letters, philosophical and theological texts circulated independently; each was an account of someone’s understanding about Jesus and his message. They differed widely. In 367, Athanasius offered a list of 27 writings that he considered acceptable for Christian study. Thirty years later, the list was officially recognized as the New Testament.
Some of the Christian writings that were banned in the 4th century were not burned. Instead, the treasured writings were buried in the Egyptian desert. They lie safe in a clay jar for 1600 years before being accidentally unearthed in 1945. They were secured behind lock and key for another three decades before scholars gained access to translate and study these additional writings of early Christian communities.
Join us for worship this month to explore major themes of these writings to learn how similar and how different they present the message of Jesus of Nazareth.
There is also a book conversation about one of these texts. The Girl Who Baptized Herself highlights Thecla’s story found in The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Put this book on your summer reading list and join the discussion either on Sunday July 26th at 3:00 or on Wednesdays at noon starting July 22.
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Host or PublisherUrban Abbey
