Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We're going to introduce you to a book you've almost certainly never heard of. It's a book that didn't make it into the modern biblical canon, but very well could have. And if it had, WHOO DADDY! Things would be different today.
This is the Acts of Paul and Thecla, which is the story of a woman so devoted to her faith that she throws herself into a lightning pond full of killer seals. And if you want that sentence to make sense, and get even more awesome than that, you really need to hear this story.
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For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro: Data Over Dogma
0:46 Introducing the Acts of Paul and Thecla
1:28 Historical background and dating (2nd century, Tertullian)
3:02 Authorship theories and Acts genre
5:44 Setting the scene: Paul in Iconium
6:54 Paul’s appearance and nonstop preaching
8:08 Thecla hears Paul: celibacy and radical asceticism
9:46 Why this message threatens patriarchy
12:54 Thecla’s fiancé and the arrest of Paul
18:10 Thecla visits Paul in prison
21:05 The trial and Thecla condemned to burn
22:10 Miraculous deliverance from the fire
24:04 Reunion with Paul and baptism tension
27:28 Antioch: assault, resistance, and public spectacle
28:53 The beasts, lioness defender, and self-baptism
30:55 Bulls, more miracles, and final release
33:57 Thecla instructs the queen
35:24 Commissioned to preach: “Go and teach”
36:21 Return home and Thecla’s legacy
37:02 Feminist themes and early Christian context
39:16 Final thoughts and historical significance
39:56 Outro
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#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church #apocrypha
We're going to introduce you to a book you've almost certainly never heard of. It's a book that didn't make it into the modern biblical canon, but very well could have. And if it had, WHOO DADDY! Things would be different today.
This is the Acts of Paul and Thecla, which is the story of a woman so devoted to her faith that she throws herself into a lightning pond full of killer seals. And if you want that sentence to make sense, and get even more awesome than that, you really need to hear this story.
----
For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
0:00 Intro: Data Over Dogma
0:46 Introducing the Acts of Paul and Thecla
1:28 Historical background and dating (2nd century, Tertullian)
3:02 Authorship theories and Acts genre
5:44 Setting the scene: Paul in Iconium
6:54 Paul’s appearance and nonstop preaching
8:08 Thecla hears Paul: celibacy and radical asceticism
9:46 Why this message threatens patriarchy
12:54 Thecla’s fiancé and the arrest of Paul
18:10 Thecla visits Paul in prison
21:05 The trial and Thecla condemned to burn
22:10 Miraculous deliverance from the fire
24:04 Reunion with Paul and baptism tension
27:28 Antioch: assault, resistance, and public spectacle
28:53 The beasts, lioness defender, and self-baptism
30:55 Bulls, more miracles, and final release
33:57 Thecla instructs the queen
35:24 Commissioned to preach: “Go and teach”
36:21 Return home and Thecla’s legacy
37:02 Feminist themes and early Christian context
39:16 Final thoughts and historical significance
39:56 Outro
____________________________________________
#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church #apocrypha
