Data Over Dogma Unforgivable!
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Feb 2, 2026 They dive into the wild apocryphal tale of Thecla, a fearless woman who defies society, survives arena beasts, and even braves a pond of killer seals. Then they tackle the biblical idea of an unforgivable sin and trace how ancient texts and modern readers have wrestled with blaming the Spirit. Expect historical detective work, surprising rituals, and reassuring takeaways.
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Thecla’s Origin Story
- The Acts of Paul and Thecla is a second-century apocryphal tale that circulated widely in early Christianity.
- Dan McClellan and Dan Beecher describe it as a popular, early narrative giving women a radical social role outside patriarchal households.
A Charismatic, Unusual Paul
- The Acts of Paul paints Paul as a small, odd but charismatic preacher with a striking physical description.
- Dan McClellan reads Paul as compelling, alternately appearing human and angelic while delivering prolonged sermons.
Female Autonomy As Social Threat
- The Acts of Paul and Thecla promotes radical female autonomy by valorizing celibacy and ministry over marriage.
- The hosts argue this threatened Greco-Roman patriarchal household structures, explaining hostility to the text.
