105. Discovering the Secrets of Christ’s Childhood Years
Infancy gospels or protoevangelions are a genre of religious texts that arose in the 2nd century. They are part of New Testament apocrypha, and provide accounts of the birth and early life of Jesus. The texts are of various and uncertain origin, and are generally non-canonical in major modern branc…
EXTRA 21. Circumnavigation of the Globe
Ferdinand Magellan's 1519-22 expedition was the first known circumnavigation of the Earth. The Portuguese explorer’s epic voyage opened trade routes connecting much of the world, including America. Enjoy this HISTORICAL JESUS Extra! Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.b…
ENCORE 30. Matthean Posteriority Hypothesis
A proposed solution to the synoptic problem holds that the Gospel of Mark was used as a source by the Gospel of Luke, then both of these were used as sources by the Gospel of Matthew, referred to as the Matthean Posteriority hypothesis. A renowned Bible scholar continues to present his thought prov…
104. Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Let’s explore the childhood of Jesus, using the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. Jesus in Egypt: Discovering the Secrets of Christ’s Childhood Years by Paul Perry available at https://amzn.to/4ax9utK Infancy Gospel of Thomas https://amzn.to/3wIW9ko Protevangelium or Gospel of James available at https:/…
103. Christ among the Doctors
According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus, at the age of 12, accompanies his parents and a group of friends and relatives to Jerusalem for Passover. When returning to Nazareth, Jesus is not with the group. Mary and Joseph find their son in the Temple 3 days later in discussion with the doctors or elde…
EXTRA 20. Spice Islands
Leading the European search for the Spice Islands during the Age of Discovery were the Conquistadors Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama. Let’s join the unrelenting quest for the riches of the Orient, sailing into uncharted waters, conquering territory, opening trade routes, and bringing colonialism …
ENCORE 29. Markan Priority
The hypothesis that the Gospel of Mark was the first of the three synoptic gospels to be written, and was used as a source by the other two (Matthew and Luke), is known as Markan Priority. In recent times, some skeptics have said the four canonical Gospels were written so late after Jesus, they are…
102. The Finding in the Temple
Jesus, at the age of twelve, accompanies Mary and Joseph, and a large group of their relatives and friends to Jerusalem on pilgrimage for Passover. On the day of their return, Jesus lingered, staying in the Temple, but his parents thought that he was among their group when he was not. Mary and Jose…
101. Jerusalem
Christianity has a close bond with the city of Jerusalem, the Historical Jesus walked its streets and entered its building. It was in this holy city that at eight days of age, he was dedicated in the Great Temple according to Jewish custom. As a man from Nazareth, he preached at the Temple and even…
EXTRA 19. Nezahualcoyotl of Mesoamerica
Prince Nezahualcoyotl was a scholar, warrior, architect, poet and eventual ruler of the city-state of Texcoco in pre-Columbian era Mesoamerica during the century preceding Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. The Valley of Mexico is a highlands plateau surrounded by mountains and volcanoes (coterm…