Reading the Apocrypha: Biblical Literature Beyond the Bible

This one-day workshop will explore the historical, theological, and cultural significances of the wide body of Jewish and Christian writings that fall outside the Bible.

Buy $79.00

December 6, 2026
12:00 to 3:00pm Eastern U.S. time
Workshop will be recorded and available to view for 2 weeks after it concludes

In this one-day workshop we will explore the strange body of biblical literature from outside the canonical Bible known as the “Apocrypha.” Apocryphal texts emerged out of Judaism and Christianity, and deal with figures, events, and themes from the Old and New Testaments. They resemble biblical texts but are not officially sanctioned. We will learn about the various kinds of apocryphal works and read a selection of Jewish and Christian texts that fall outside the Bible.

What You Will Learn

— What was excluded from the Bible.

— Why the Apocrypha was controversial.

— Who wrote the Apocrypha and to what ends.

— Why the Early Church accepted the authority of some books but not others.

— What made an authoritative biblical text.

— Why Protestant reformers disagreed with some narratives long after they had been accepted.

— How the Apocrypha is used today.

— What the Apocrypha tells us about the Bible.

— How the Bible was retold in apocryphal writings.

— How Christians reused Jewish Apocrypha and why.

— The significance of the Apocrypha to religious history and historical theology.

Meet Your Workshop Facilitators

John J. Gallagher

Dr. John Gallagher researches and teaches Old English and related North Sea literatures and languages, including Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse-Icelandic, and Latin. John has taught various courses on Old English and medieval literature for the University of St. Andrews, University College Dublin, the Orthodox Academy of Crete, and Medievalists.net.

Zoe Tsiami

Zoe Tsiami is a PhD(c) in Byzantine History at University of Thessaly. Her research interests include baptism, catechism and naming practices in the Early Byzantine period. She has published papers and taught at workshops relevant to Early Byzantine/Christian history.

Enroll now

This workshop is open to people of all backgrounds with an interest in biblical and apocryphal literature. No academic qualifications are required to participate – our focus is scholarly but accessible. All texts will be provided and read in English translation. Some light preparation will be required in advance of the session.