Feb 082026
February 8, 2026
Early Christianities: The Appeal of an Unpoliced Faith
Posted by Judy Lane
Posted on February 8, 2026
Coming Sunday, Feb. 15 – “Early Christianities”, a forum with Rev. Roger & Prof. John Watkins at Noon in the Fahs Room. Breakfast bars provided, bring your coffee!
In the first three centuries of the Common Era, Christianity was very diverse as it evolved from a Jewish sect of Jesus-followers into a distinct religion. Let’s look at what appealed to them.
Prof. John Watkins teaches English and Mediterranean studies at the Univ. of Minnesota professor of English and Mediterranean Studies, co-founding the Religious Studies program there. He is a college friend of Rev. Roger, and he spoke here in August on “The Book of Revelation and the Invention of Rapture Theology.”
No charge, but donations to Adult Enrichment are welcome.
Optional readings:
Gospel of John chap. 20, Acts of the Apostles chap. 15, The Revelation chap. 2 &3, and the Gospel of Thomas, which you can Google or find here: http://www.marquette.edu/maqom/Gospel%20of%20Thomas%20Lambdin.pdf
John Watkins says: “Thomas is about 80% close to the canonical Gospels and about 20% mind-blowing!”