Ep 1. Banned From The Bible

Bible 101 season 1 episode 1, titled "Banned From The Bible," explores the history of various texts that were excluded from the Bible. The episode looks at the different reasons why certain texts didn't make it into the Bible and asks the question: should they have been included?

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to a range of texts that were either banned or left out of the Bible. Some were discarded because they were considered too radical or heretical, while others were deemed too obscure or unreliable. Examples include the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, the Book of Enoch, and the Apocalypse of Peter.

The episode also touches on the political and social reasons behind the exclusion of certain texts. For instance, some of the texts that were left out portrayed women or marginalized groups in positive roles, challenging traditional power structures. Others reflected the influence of different cultural or religious traditions that conflicted with the dominant orthodoxies of the time.

As viewers are introduced to these various texts, they are also given an overview of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced. The episode looks at the lives of the authors, the audiences they wrote for, and the broader political and social issues that shaped their work.

Throughout the episode, Bible 101 invites viewers to consider some of the complex questions that arise from the exclusion of certain texts. Should the Bible be seen as a fixed and unchanging text, or as an ever-evolving document that reflects the diverse experiences and beliefs of its readers? And what do the texts that were excluded from the Bible tell us about the history of Christianity and the wider world in which it emerged?

Ultimately, "Banned From The Bible" raises the question of what it means to engage with the Bible in a thoughtful and critical way. Rather than simply accepting the texts that have been handed down to us, the episode invites viewers to explore the vibrant and diverse range of voices that have contributed to the ongoing conversation about faith and spirituality.