Rejected Texts, Lost Gospels:
Discovering the Suprising Diversity in Early Christianity
with Katie Grigg-Miller

A 5-week class via Zoom
(Each session scheduled for 75 minutes, includes Q&A)

Saturdays: October 17, 24 and November 6, 14, 21, 2026
4 pm EDT (3 pm CDT, 2 pm MDT, 1 pm PDT, 8 pm UTC/summer)
Can't make it live? Everyone enrolled will have access to the video replay.
(LCKGM001)

Join us for a series of classes given by Katie Grigg-Miller, and discover a wealth of extra-canonical writings from the first few centuries after Jesus, which were either lost, hidden, or destroyed.  These fascinating texts reveal a surprising diversity and flexibility of religious thought and practice, and may even lead us to re-define our concept of “Christianity.” In fact, a new New Testament has been crafted by scholars and includes several of these texts - which were (and are) considered subversive and dangerous by many.

We will investigate the spiritual and societal implications of these texts, and learn why and how they were rejected, resulting in a narrowed Christian doctrine.  We will have time for discussion and reflection, and we’ll seek to identify commonalities between early Christian beliefs and practices, Christian Science, and other contemporary religions. 

Selected texts will be emailed ahead of each class which will be helpful for the student to peruse.  Highlighted books are just suggested, not required reading.

SESSION 1: Who were the first “Christians”? What was their life like?
Life in the ancient Mediterranean; the first Jesus followers; “church” as they practiced it. Highlighted Book:  After Jesus Before Christianity by Erin Bearncombe, Brandon Scott and Hal Taussig

SESSION 2: What texts were written, and by whom? Why were some lost
Stories of discovery and suppression; authorship, translation, languages used and lost; canons and extra-canonicals.  Highlighted Book: A New New Testament byHal Taussig

SESSION 3: Who were the “gnostics”? What did they believe?
Heretical vs. orthodox; human vs. divine; faith and martyrdom; angels and demons.
Highlighted Books: The Gnostic Gospels and  Beyond Belief,  both by Elaine Pagels

SESSION 4: What happened to the women?
Women in, and left out of, the Bible; women ’s status and gender roles; female God-voices and saviors.  Highlighted Book: The Gospel of Mary of Magdala by Karen L. King

SESSION 5: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?
Origin stories and afterlife expectations; Greek philosophy; the search for the meaning of life; wrap-up discussion.  Highlighted Book: Illuminating the Secret Revelation of John by Shirley Paulson

Katie Grigg-Miller

ENROLL TODAY:

5 75-minute sessions
(includes replay access)

$50

Or enroll by phone:
602-635-1987

Once payment is made, you are registered!