Sermon Series: Banned Books of the Bible

This summer on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 am, St. Barnabas will explore several ancient Jewish and Christian texts that were read, treasured, debated, quoted, or even treated as Scripture by some early communities of faith — but eventually stood outside the Bible as most Protestants know it today. Join us this summer as we open the books that stand just outside the Bible — and listen for what the Spirit may still be saying through them.

These books were not all “banned” in the dramatic sense. Some were deeply loved. Some influenced the New Testament. Some remain part of the Bible for Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Ethiopian Christians. Others were considered spiritually useful by the early Church, even though they were not finally included in the canon of Scripture.

Each Sunday, one of these texts will serve as our first reading, alongside New Testament readings that help us hear these ancient voices through the lens of Christ. Together, we will ask what these books reveal about faithfulness under pressure, the power of evil, the pursuit of wisdom, our relationship with money, spiritual identity, repentance, holiness, women’s authority, and the courage to follow God when faithfulness is costly.

After the service each Sunday, Fr. John will lead an adult formation class in the library for those who want to go deeper. These classes will explore the history, authorship, theology, influence, and controversies surrounding each book.

The series will include:

July 12 | 1 Maccabees
the story of a Jewish revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes and the cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple.

July 19 | The Book of Enoch:
an ancient apocalypse about the Watchers, the spread of evil, divine judgment, and the world to come.

July 26 | The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach
a Jewish wisdom book offering practical teaching on money, speech, friendship, generosity, and daily life.

August 2 | The Gospel of Thomas
a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, some familiar and some deeply strange.

August 9 | The Shepherd of Hermas
an early Christian book of visions, commandments, and parables about repentance and righteous living.

August 16 | The Acts of Paul and Thecla
the dramatic story of a woman disciple who defies family expectations, survives persecution, and is sent to teach the word of God.