The early Christian church drew upon a rich tapestry of scriptures and source materials that nurtured their faith and molded their worldview. Over time, the church winnowed this diverse corpus down to the twenty-seven books that comprise our modern New Testament, investing them with canonical authority. Yet, the rejected texts did not vanish into obscurity. Instead, they remain a treasure trove for scholars seeking to illuminate the vibrant diversity of the early Christian community and the audacious claims that undergirded its very existence. Exploring these ancient texts need not undermine the church's contemporary orthodoxy; rather, it can enrich modern Christians' understanding of their spiritual heritage, providing a deeper appreciation for the church's formative years.