A 90-minute lesson and Q&A session from Bible scholar, Dr. Brandon Hawk

Banned Books: The Apocrypha Edition

Discover the hidden history and impact of texts excluded from most Bibles.

Course cover

What if the Bible You Know is Only Part of the Story?

Overview

Unearthing the Banned, Forgotten, and Forbidden Texts

Why do some ancient texts become “Scripture,” while others are cast aside? And who gets to decide what counts as the Bible in the first place? In this eye-opening lecture, medievalist and apocrypha expert Dr. Brandon Hawk takes us into the fascinating world of banned, forgotten, and forbidden texts—what scholars call the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha. Far from being merely fringe or heretical, these writings offer surprising insights into the richness and diversity of early Judaism and Christianity.

Dr. Hawk walks us through the shifting boundaries of biblical canon across history and denominations—from Jerome’s Vulgate and Athanasius’s Easter letter to the expansive Bibles of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Along the way, we explore apocryphal gospels, prophetic expansions, cosmic visions, and imaginative retellings of biblical events that didn't make the final cut. Why did some books survive while others were silenced? And what does that reveal about the communities who preserved—or rejected—them?

This course isn’t just about lost texts. It’s about recovering lost perspectives. You'll come away with a clearer understanding of how power, theology, culture, and politics shaped the Bible we know today—and why the "outsider" texts still deserve our attention. Whether you're curious about hidden gospels, ancient theological debates, or the complicated history of the canon itself, this journey through banned books will challenge and inspire.

What You'll Learn

  • What terms like Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Deutero-canon actually mean
  • How different Jewish and Christian groups have defined (and disagreed on) the biblical canon
  • Why books like Judith, 1 Enoch, and the Gospel of Thomas were embraced by some and rejected by others
  • How early Jewish and Christian communities used extra-canonical texts to wrestle with questions of identity, suffering, and power
  • The role of empire, exile, and colonization in shaping sacred literature
  • How canon formation was a messy, political, and often contested process—not a divine decree
  • Why banned books still matter today for understanding Scripture and religious diversity

Your Instructor

Dr. Brandon Hawk

Professor of English at Rhode Island College

Dr. Brandon Hawk
Brandon W. Hawk is Professor of English at Rhode Island College. Most of his interests in research and teaching encompass what might be called transmission studies: the afterlives of texts, including circulation, translations, adaptations, and re-presentations in various cultures and media. Brandon has written a variety of pieces about pop culture uses of the Middle Ages and apocrypha for his website, The Public Medievalist, Forces of Geek, The Washington Post, and The Conversation. His books include Preaching Apocrypha in Anglo-Saxon England (University of Toronto Press, 2018), The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and the Nativity of Mary (Cascade Books, 2019), and Apocrypha for Beginners: A Guide to Understanding and Exploring Scriptures Beyond the Bible (Rockridge Press, 2021).

Course Overview

Course Curriculum

1

Banned Books: The Apocrypha Edition

90 MIN
  • Explore the fascinating world of apocryphal literature and its significance.
  • Participate in a Q&A session with Dr. Brandon Hawk.

Bonuses

Included With Enrollment

Bonus #1

Lifetime access to the course

Bonus #2

30 minutes of Q&A with Dr. Brandon Hawk

Bonus #3

Audio file available for download

Bonus #4

Full-Colored PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Course Enrollment $24.95

Enroll in "Banned Books: The Apocrypha Edition" today. For $24.95, you receive lifetime access to all 1 lecture with Professor Dr. Hawk and all companion bonus resources.

See What Most Readers Miss in the Apocrypha

1 lecture, the Q&A recordings, downloads, and 4 bonus resources. Lifetime access.

Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Is this a LIVE course?

No, this course is replay only.

Are any other discounts available?

Yes, you may apply any coupon codes applicable.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

Absolutely! If you don't love the course, send us an email at support@bartehrman.com and we will refund 100% of your investment. You will have 30 days from the date of purchase.

Alternatively, this course is available through The Biblical Studies Academy (BSA), our premium membership and training community.

Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee · Lifetime access to all course materials

$1 from your purchase is donated to charity: water.