Secret knowledge.

A Manipulated Jesus.

A hidden truth only a few can access.

After our Class Is In Session study on the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Mary, and the rise of Gnosticism, Pastor David hosts Pastors Aaron, Chris, and Jonathan for a deeper conversation.

Why were these books really written?

What was happening in the world that made Gnosticism so attractive?

Why does the idea of “secret revelation” still resonate today?

And what does any of this have to do with the times we’re living in now?

In this roundtable discussion:

• We unpack the cultural pressure facing the early church

• We explore the real motive behind these alternative gospels

• We talk about why distortion often feels spiritual

• One of us pushes the hard questions about canon and authority

• We connect ancient Gnostic ideas to modern spiritual trends

• And we wrestle with how these patterns point toward the last days

The enemy’s strategy hasn’t changed.

Confuse the truth.

Redefine Jesus.

Offer a “deeper” spirituality that subtly undermines the gospel.

But Scripture warns us this would happen.

We are closer now than we were yesterday. And discernment matters more than ever.

If you haven’t listened to the Class Is In Session episode, start there for the historical foundation. Then join us as we ask:

If secret knowledge keeps resurfacing…

if false gospels keep multiplying…

what about these other gospels?

What if the “secret” teachings about Jesus were never meant to be secret at all?

The Gospel of Thomas.

The Gospel of Judas.

The Gospel of Mary.

Hidden knowledge.

Elite spirituality.

A False and Manipulated Jesus.

In this Class Is In Session episode of What About This?, we examine the rise of Gnosticism in the early church and the writings that claimed to offer deeper, secret revelation.

Why were these books written?

What made them so dangerous?

How did they influence the formation of the biblical canon?

And why do these same ideas keep resurfacing today?

We talk about:

• what Gnosticism actually taught (and why it appealed to people)

• how the so-called “gospels” differ from the four biblical Gospels

• why secret knowledge contradicts the message of Christ

• how the early church responded and why canonization mattered

• how these same spiritual patterns show up in modern culture

• and how cults still use the same formula to distort truth

This isn’t about fear.

It’s about discernment.

The enemy has always worked through distortion, secrecy, and counterfeit revelation. And the church has always responded with clarity, truth, and the public proclamation of the real gospel.

There’s nothing hidden about Jesus.

Class is in session.

So… what about those "lost books"?

After releasing our Class Is In Session study on the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, 1 Enoch, and other ancient writings, the pastors sit down to have the bigger conversation.

Why do these books fascinate people so much?

Why do conspiracy theories stick?

And why does this question keep resurfacing in every generation?

In this roundtable discussion:

• We talk about where the confusion around "removed books" actually comes from

• We unpack why canon matters in the first place

• We discuss how social media has reshaped this conversation

• One of us pushes the tough objections people really ask

• And we wrestle with why this topic can quietly shake people's confidence in Scripture

This isn't about fear.

It's not about dismissing ancient writings.

And it's not about avoiding hard questions.

It's about clarity.

If you haven't listened to the Class Is In Session episode yet, start there for the historical and biblical foundation. Then come back and join the conversation as we ask:

If these books exist…

if they were read by ancient Jews and Christians…

if they contain spiritual language…

what about these other books?

Can the "lost books" of the Bible actually be trusted?

In this Class Is In Session episode of What About This?, Pastor Aaron walks through some of the most talked-about ancient writings that didn't make it into Scripture.

Old Testament Apocrypha.

Pseudepigrapha.

1 Enoch.

The Book of Maccabees.

Why weren't they included in the Bible? Were they removed?

Do they contradict Scripture?

And how should Christians think about them today?

We talk about

• what these books actually are (and what they aren't)

• why the early church did not include them in the biblical canon

• what teachings differ from Scripture

• how conspiracy theories have distorted the conversation

• and how these writings can still be useful historically and culturally

This isn't about dismissing ancient texts. It's about understanding them clearly.

If you've heard claims about "hidden books," if you've wondered why Enoch isn't in your Bible, or if you've seen people use these writings to challenge Scripture,

class is in session.

We weren't done. Part 1 opened the door on whether the Bible can be trusted. Part 2 keeps it open. In this follow-up episode of What About This?, we go deeper and respond to questions that came in from listeners. You asked. We answered.

We tackle:

• tough objections we didn't get to

• contradictions people point out

• miracles, God's timing,

• why filtering everything through God's Kingdom building focus matters more than most people think No dodging.

No quick clichés.

Real back-and-forth.

If you listened to Part 1, this finishes the conversation.

f you still have questions, send them in.

whataboutthis@jesuschurch.life

Your question might shape the next episode.

Can the Bible actually be trusted? In the second class episode of What About This?, Pastor Aaron explains how to take on one of the biggest questions people ask about faith. Is the Bible reliable or just a collection of ancient stories? We talk about • archaeology and historical support • how the Bible is structured • why it was written the way it was • how people misuse Scripture to control, harm, or justify bad behavior This isn't a debate to win. It's a conversation to think through. If you've struggled to trust the Bible or wondered how Christians can be confident in it, class ius in session.