Banned from the Bible

[Stefanus]

Banned from the Bible is a 120 minute show produced in 2003 by Film Roos for the History Channel and shown on A&E. It was broadcast in 2006.

Among the talking heads are: Marvin Meyer (Chapman), John Dominic Crossan, David Smith Christopher and Anthea Butler (Loyola), Rev. Stephen Beck Reed, James Vanderkam (Notre Dam), Kirsti Copeland (Princeton), Amir Hussain (CSU Northridge), Rabbi David Wolpe, Kelly Bautch (St Edwards U), Father Bertrand Buby, and David Scholer (Fullerton Theological Seminary).

This show provide an excellent history of the early Church, then intensively discusses 8 of the books that were not included in the bible. These are : Life of Adam and Eve, Jubilees, Book of Enoch, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, Protoevalgelion of James, Gospel of Nicodemus, Gospel of Mary, and the Apocalypse of Peter. The discussions are generally accurate and insightful. The editing is very good, moving from pictures to talking heads and back again.

Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel 01 of 12


There are a few errors and questionable comments. For example:

• "Constantine saw a cross in the sky". In fact, he saw a Chi Rho which was accepted as a symbol of Christianity.
• "Constantine saw a vision of Jesus". Actually, in the first version of the story he doesn't see Jesus at all.
• The Romans tried to "destroy" Christianity. In fact, for most of the first 300+ years the Romans ignored the Christians. There were occasional problems (e.g., Nero's persecution), but actually very few. The Romans had far more problems with the Jews than they did with the Christians.
• "It is commonly accepted that Jesus was born without sin". Perhaps amongst strict Catholics and rabid evangelics this is true, but for most people the story of the "virgin birth" is just that - a story. Even the Pope says it ain't necessarily so.

All things considered, this is one of the best programs on the history of the bible.

[Stefanus]

In Search Of Truth

Most of us grew up with a Bible in our homes, or at least a Book of our chosen religious beliefs. Most of us also grew up believing every word of what our parents, teachers, 'men of God', or the Book taught us about the creation of the world, all it's people, and how we must believe and live to be blessed with eternal life...even the proper way to worship...and what Holy Days would be observed.

There are many religions. All believe differently. And all are based on what information there was available in each region of the world from which a particular religion evolved.

For many years now there have been people saying that the King James Bible is missing very important information, that if included, could actually alter the history of the Christian Faith, and perhaps even challenge many currently held beliefs of Christian people.

I've never met a person who actually studies the Bible who hasn't had some unanswered questions regarding people and events recorded there.

I ran across videos from the History Channel of a series of shows, where they actually researched the supposed 'Banned Books of the Bible' and found it very thought provoking.

Not to cause more religious debate, nor an attempt to convert anyone else from their personal beliefs, because I consider every person's personal beliefs to be sacred and to be honored by those who believe differently, but presented here just to share....for personal viewing by others who will then take from it what they choose and simply leave the rest.

Lifelong learning and seeking knowledge is something I do believe in very much,

DJ

Description of the Videos

The description of The History Channel's Banned From The Bible I:

"For many of the faithful, the idea smacks of heresy. But the Bible we know is just one of many versions that surely circulated in the early days of Christianity. Even fully-fledged books were left out of the "final draft."

In this single collection, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® has gathered a definitive survey of these "extracanonical" texts. Learn of their creation alongside - or even before - the more accepted books of the Bible we know today. Discover their messages and what we can conclude about the early Church from their exclusion. And see the lengths to which ancient editors went to hide them and to which modern scholars have gone to uncover them."

• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (1 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (2 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (3 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (4 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (5 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (6 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (7 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (8 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (9 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (10 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (11 of 12)
• Banned From the Bible I - The History Channel (12 of 12)

A description of Banned From The Bible II:

"What was left out can teach us much about what remains.

BANNED FROM THE BIBLE travels back to the blistering sands of the Holy Land, into the onion-domed chapels of Eastern Orthodox churches and the pages of the Koran on the trail of the chapters that were left out of the ultimate version of the Scriptures. In the first installment of this groundbreaking special presentation, BANNED FROM THE BIBLE pored over eight extracanonical texts to discover the foundation of the early Christian Bible and the intent of its creators.

As the series continues in this fascinating DVD, still more of these revealing omissions are brought to light. With the guidance of renowned scholars such as Kenneth Hanson, author of The Lost Gospels and Rabbi David Copeland, discover the Testament of Solomon, the legend of Lilith, the story of Aseneth, the complete saga of Daniel and gain insight into the Apocrypha, the so-called "hidden writings."

BANNED FROM THE BIBLE PART 2 vastly expands our grasp of one of the most important texts in human history. Understanding what was left out of the earliest Bible gives us critical tools for analyzing the Scriptures as they have reached us today"