What is the Gospel of Mary? Why is it important to readers today? Read more to find out. Forgotten by history until its rediscovery in the late nineteenth century, the Gospel of Mary (GM) exists now only in three incomplete manuscripts. Two manuscripts from the early third century CE… Read More

The modern dating system is based on the birth of Christ. Find out when this practice started and how it relates to the Christian calendar. The initials B.C. (an abbreviation for “Before Christ”) are applied to dates of events that occurred before the “Christian” (or Common) era. If the… Read More

Festivals played a significant role in Jesus’ ministry. Pesach, or Passover, was no exception. Read more about this important festival here. Pesach, or Passover, is the second and probably best known of the three ancient biblical pilgrimage festivals to the sacred Temple in Jerusalem. It occurs in the spring,… Read More

In ancient times, individuals reached agreements by forming covenants. Covenants were also the means by which the Israelites related to God. Read about the significance of biblical covenants – from God’s first covenant with Abraham to the new covenant spoken about in the prophets. The Bible often speaks of… Read More

This table gives a larger context for biblical history by mapping the progression of ancient civilizations according to the technology used in each time period. Archaeologists classify ancient civilizations according to a series of technological “Ages.” By naming an Age by the common technology and objects of an ancient… Read More

It was the center of life in biblical times. What did it look like? What took place there? Read more to find out. The market place was a focal point for ancient society. Much like today’s malls, people not only shopped in them, but also socialized there. See why… Read More

Who was Sirach? What did he have to say? Read more here. Overall, we know very little about the people who wrote the Old Testament. The details about people in the biblical narratives are background for stories that are not really about individual humans, but about God’s relationship with… Read More

Baptism plays an important role in the church today. Find out the history of baptism and see what the Bible has to say on this issue. The English word “baptism” comes from the Greek verb that means “to dip in water.” In the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) there were laws… Read More

What does the church look like? Theologians have been asking that question for thousands of years. Check out what the New Testament has to say about the church. In the Bible, the Greek word translated as “church” means an assembly or gathering of people who believe in the good… Read More

Acts 15 depicts the church in crisis. How should they integrate uncircumcised believers into the church? The Council in Jerusalem met to address this issue. Check out more information about this council here. After Jesus’ departure, one of the most pressing questions his followers faced was whether only Jews… Read More