Embodying resilience involves demonstrating the ability to adapt and overcome adversity. This requires both mental and emotional strength as well as the help of friends and family. In the Gospel of Mary, Mary Magdalene must first accept the departure of Jesus. Then, she must follow his wish to instruct the apostles and charge them to … Continue reading Embodying Resilience: The Example of Mary Magdalene
How does a professor of statistics end up teaching classes on Early Christianity? I have been frequently asked that question by many people who attend my classes. The reasons behind the decision to study early Christianity came about from an event in my youth that started, in the words of the Unitarian 4th Principle, my … Continue reading The Search for Truth: My Personal Journey
Trust is earned. Once there is trust between two people, each must continually work at maintaining this bond. With trust a person can ask another to do the most difficult tasks. This practice of trust develops this bond that is reinforced over time. This is illustrated well in the Gospel of Judas where Jesus of … Continue reading The Practice of Trust: The Story of Jesus and Judas
Early Christianity was founded on a practice of invitation that was based on total inclusivity. Members included women, men, slaves, free people, the rich, the poor, Gentiles and Jews. What has changed to the message of Jesus of Nazareth? When anyone looks to join any current Christian denominations, there are qualifications to adhere to before … Continue reading Having Dinner with Tax Collectors and Sinners
While most Christian denominations assert that God is without gender, all use male pronouns to refer to God, citing traditional English Bible translations, and even go so far to claim that to do otherwise is blasphemy. The reality is that the Bible can accurately be translated to include female pronouns when referring to God, supporting … Continue reading The Divine Feminine: The Female Aspect of God
In the beginning of the Christian movement around 30 A.D., the followers of Jesus of Nazareth believed him to be just a man. These members of the Jewish faith thought that he was chosen and blessed by God but still just a man. Three centuries later in 327 A.D., the Christian church declared him to … Continue reading The Mystery of How Jesus Became “God”
Many people today know little or nothing about Jesus of Nazareth’s family, especially his brothers. One of his brothers, called James the Just, became one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church in Jerusalem. He did not believe in his brother for most of his earthly ministry. But Jesus’ last act of affection … Continue reading A Love Between Two Brothers
Almost of people raised in any Christian denomination think of Jesus in the terms of Christ, Lord, and Divine Savior. However, for the first two hundred years of early Christianity, there are very few “facts” about Jesus of Nazareth. There are no physical descriptions of the man in the New Testament or other early church … Continue reading Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Changing Our Perception.
Much has been said about Mary Magdalene in books, movies, and internet websites. Unfortunately, most of what is said is incorrect, invented and just plain untrue. What we today really know of Mary comes from the four Canonical Gospels as well as a series on non-canonical Gospels. From these various sources, we can say that … Continue reading Mary Magdalene: The First Christian
The first Christian generation had very different beliefs when compared to Modern Christianity. Yet, Modern Christianity did, in fact, derive from the original Christians. But no current modern denomination actually has the same beliefs as those taught by the first followers of Jesus of Nazareth. See the UUConnect for the service logon information or click on October … Continue reading Who Were the First Christian Generation?
