Lecture 9: Extreme Christianity in the 2nd
and 3rd Centuries
o In the infancy gospel of James, the perpetual virginity of Mary
is ensured by the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus.
When Jesus is born, time stops and all creation grows silent; he
appears first as a shining light and only slowly takes the form
of an infant.o In the infancy gospel of Thomas, the child Jesus is the source
of both cure and blessing to his family and neighbors, so
overwhelming are his acts; Jesus is portrayed as captive to his
own extraordinary powers, only slowly learning how to turn
them to good.• The Acts of Paul, Andrew, John, Peter, and Thomas (all composed
in the 2nd and 3rd centuries) continue the literary tradition of the
canonical Acts of the Apostles but focus almost exclusively on the
apostles as wonder-workers who triumph over all, even in their
death as martyrs.• Although naive in some ways—they are filled with animal tales,
nature wonders, and strange deeds—these narratives convey a
sense of Christianity as a movement that exercises supernatural
power and poses a radical threat to conventional mores.
o The order of the household is threatened by a version of the
“good news” that demands of its hearers—especially women—
virginity and singleness. The apostles are itinerant wonder-
workers who find their way into households and “seduce”
wives by their preaching, convincing them to commit to a
celibate life; the elevation of virgins and widows means women
are not defined by biological or domestic roles.o Women in these accounts are definitely not “submissive to their
husbands” but either leave them or assume leadership roles in
the assembly; most impressively, Paul’s follower Thecla cuts
her long hair, dresses as a man, baptizes herself, and undertakes
a career in preaching.