LITERATURE + LECTURES

The Jung Center of Houston presents The Silenced Voices of Early Christianity. Religious scholar April D. DeConick uncovers the many Christianities that existed in the two centuries after the death of Jesus. Wednesday, March 2, 7:30 - 9 pm.

In what significant ways was early Christianity different from our contemporary experience of it? Christianity in the second century was only in its youth. It was trying to determine its relationship with Judaism, its understanding of women, its sacred scripture, and its interpretation of that scripture. For every one of these issues, there were Christians with several answers. And many of these Christians formed their own communities. They talked to each other. They argued with each other. They agreed and disagreed. It is within this complicated and confrontational environment that mainstream or apostolic Christianity emerged.

What faith were the apostolic Christians defending? What other forms of Christianity existed? What were the disputes about? Why did apostolic Christianity emerge as victor?

April D. DeConick, PhD, is the Isla Carroll and Percy E. Turner Professor of Biblical Studies at Rice University. She is the author of numerous articles in professional journals and several books, including The Thirteenth Gospel: What the Gospel of Judas Really Says, Recovering the Original Gospel of Thomas: A History of the Gospel and its Growth, and Voices of the Mystics: Early Christian Discourses in the Gospels of John and Thomas and Other Ancient Christian Literature.