The Gospel of Nicodemus, the Acts of Pilate, and the Harrowing of Hell
By Joseph Lumpkin | Narration by Dennis Logan
Run Time: 6 hours and 46 minutes
Release Date: November 12, 2024
In early Christianity, a diverse body of texts emerged alongside the canonical scriptures, many of which aimed to fill in gaps left by the New Testament narratives. Among these apocryphal works, the Gospel of Nicodemus, which includes the Acts of Pilate and the account of the Harrowing of Hell, stands out for its rich portrayal of the events surrounding Christ's trial, crucifixion, and descent into Hell. These texts, though non-canonical, offer a unique glimpse into early Christian beliefs and the theological debates that shaped the development of the faith.
The Gospel of Nicodemus provides an expanded account of Christ's interaction with Pontius Pilate, a figure central to the passion narrative. This work, closely associated with the Acts of Pilate, portrays Pilate in a more sympathetic light than the canonical Gospels, reflecting early Christian apologetic efforts to legitimize Christianity in the Roman Empire. The Harrowing of Hell, a key section of the text, explores Christ’s descent into the underworld after his crucifixion—a theme that would have profound theological implications for the doctrine of salvation and the afterlife in both Eastern and Western Christianity.
The Samaritan Pentateuch - A History and Study Guide
By Joseph Lumpkin | Narration by Dennis Logan
Run Time: 6 hours & 15 minutes
Release Date: November 25 2024
The similarities the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) shares with the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS), as well as many similarities with the Septuagint (LXX), challenge the longstanding view that the Samaritan Pentateuch is a later, borrowed, and altered form of the Masoretic Text (MT). The historical devaluation of the Samaritan Pentateuch requires reevaluation, based upon the contextual cohesiveness of the Samaritan Pentateuch, agreement with the most ancient texts of the DSS and LXX, and the uninterrupted and non-dispersed oral transmission of the Ancient Israelite Samaritans.
The Samaritans claim their Torah is older and more authentic. They lived in one place for thousands of years and kept their Torah preserved.
The Israelite Samaritan people are one of the most ancient indigenous people, continuously living in the Middle East, counting their ancestry back to over 125 generations. The religious customs of the Israelite Samaritans have remained relatively constant for thousands of years. Their transmission of the Torah has been uninterrupted.
In the winter of 1947, a group of archeological specialists searching through 11 caves in Qumran happened upon the Dead Sea Scrolls. After rigorous study of the scrolls, researchers have come to believe there were several versions of the Torah being studied throughout Jewish history, according to Eugene Ulrich, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame.
“Finding the Dead Sea Scrolls proved that there were two versions, if not more, of the Torah circulating within Judaism, but they were all dealt with equal validity and respect,” said Ulrich, who served as one of the chief editors on the Dead Sea Scrolls International Publication Project. “The Samaritan Torah and Masoretic Torah used to be studied side by side. The Masoretic text wasn’t always the authoritative version. They were both seen as important during the Second Temple time period.”
The Secret Gospel of Mark
By Joseph Lumpkin | Narration by Dennis Logan
Run Time: 2 hours & 56 minutes
Release Date: December 12 2024
Did Christianity begin as a mystery cult led by a man named Jesus? Did the initiation ritual contain mysterious ceremonies that only Jesus could perform? Who was the young man in the Gospel of Mark wearing nothing more than a sheet? Why was he there? Was he about to undergo the rites and rituals of initiation into the Jesus cult, or was he simply there to be baptized into the faith? Are there other “Gospels of Mark” out there? What do they say about Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection?
In 1958, Morton Smith, a professor of ancient history at Columbia University, found a previously unknown letter of Clement of Alexandria in the monastery of Mar Saba situated 20 kilometers (12 miles) south-east of Jerusalem. The letter from Clement mentioned an unknown Gospel called The Secret Gospel of Mark. Its contents would start a firestorm among scholars and academics.
You are about to venture into the twisting, turning world of discovery, history, and allegations, as scholars battle to decide what this discovery means and what its place could be in the history of the faith.
The Epistles of Ignatius, Containing the Epistles to Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and Polycarp
By Joseph Lumpkin | Narration by Dennis Logan
Run Time: 1 hour 46 minutes
Release Date: December 18 2024
“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” In Samuel Johnson's famous quote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully," we find a sobering observation about the power of impending death to focus one's thoughts. Thus is was for the mind and spirit of this soon-to-be martyr. He writes:"Allow me to be an imitator of the passion of my God." (Letter to the Romans, 6:3)In his letters, Ignatius refers to his journey to Rome as divinely ordained, believing God has chosen the time and mean of his death. Thus, he believes his death will serve as a witness to his faith as well as a source of inspiration for the Christian community. As he travelled in chains to Rome, he wrote letters to the churches, pouring out his heart to them and instructing Christians in faith and exhortations. While they were in Smyrna, Ignatius went to see Polycarp (60–155 CE), an old friend of his who was now the Bishop of Smyrna. Deputies from the churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, and Tralles came to see Ignatius, and it was at Smyrna that Ignatius began to write his series of epistles to the Christian churches in different cities. In Smyrna, he wrote letters to the Ephesians, the Magnesians, and the Trallesians, exhorting them to obey their bishops, avoid heresies, and keep the faith. The group left Smyrna by boat to Troas, where Ignatius wrote three more epistles to the Philadelphians, to the Smyrnans, and finally one to Polycarp. He wanted to address the multitudes in Troas, but the guards were refused and took him to Rome to face his death. There, he was torn apart by wild beasts as thousands looked on and cheered.These are the letters of Ignatius. He was full of faith and eager to prove it to God and his fellow Christians.