In a 2-hour special, we scrutinize ancient writings that didn't "make the cut" in the battle to create a Christian Bible in the new religion's first few centuries. Biblical archaeologists and scholars examine why they were left out and if others might yet be found. Beginning with the little-known Life of Adam and Eve, we also peruse the Book of Jubilees, the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Nicodemus, and the Apocalypse of Peter.

Take another look at ancient texts that were edited out of the Bible. Are they the missing links to Christ's true teachings, or heretical attempts to rewrite history? Explore the kabalistic stories of angels and demons disavowed by orthodox leaders, and the apocalyptic visions and the sexual imagery that were barred from the Old Testament. With discoveries being made across the world--in caves, ruined temples, ancient libraries, and monasteries--these tantalizing fragments continue to be found and debated. Are they heresy or hidden truth?

They were the followers of Jesus, and their words are literally considered "the gospel truth." So why have some of the writings attributed to them been suppressed or removed from the New Testament? Why was Peter's account of a "Lord of The Ring's" style battle of wits and magic repressed by Rome? Who was Paul's mysterious and powerful traveling companion, and why was she denied her rightful place among the women of the Bible? What forbidden sexual acts are suggested in the secret gospel of Mark? Why was a version of Peter's gospel that exonerates Pontius Pilot removed? And what is in the newly-authenticated Gospel of Judas that may change his public image as the ultimate betrayer of Christ? Why were these writings banned by the church? Are these the missing links to Christ's true teachings or heretical attempts to rewrite history? We'll look at where these lost texts first appeared; the debate over their authenticity; and their meaning -- if true.

We're on the hunt for two of the most famed and valuable treasures from the Bible--King Solomon's Mines and the Ark of the Covenant. Do they exist? Can they still be found? Or... have they already been discovered?

In the Holy Land, specialized archaeologists sift through the living sands to uncover civilizations that succumbed to time. We trace biblical archaeology's history and profile some of its prominent figures like the eccentric professor who had his head preserved for posterity, and a husband and wife team who have spent their lives digging the sands of Israel. We also explore the future of biblical archaeology and examine the high-tech tools that will someday make digging with pick and shovel obsolete.

Incredibly, the Bible says next to nothing about Christ's life from the time of his birth until nearly 30 years later. Where did Jesus go, and what did he do during those missing years--the major portion of his life? Did he travel outside of Palestine, even as far as India, where he was influenced by the teachings of Buddha? Or did he remain in Palestine as a member of an ultra-religious group planning a revolt against the Romans? Join us as we search for the "lost years" of Jesus.

From the beginning of recorded history, people from all over the world have believed in an afterlife. In Christianity, the powerful images of heaven and hell--fire and brimstone, harps and halos--have shaped Western thought for thousands of years. What does the Bible tell us about everlasting punishment and eternal life? Join us on a biblical journey through time as we explore the origins of heaven and hell and the symbols that represent them.

In a 2-hour special, we scrutinize ancient writings that didn't "make the cut" in the battle to create a Christian Bible in the new religion's first few centuries. Biblical archaeologists and scholars examine why they were left out and if others might yet be found. Beginning with the little-known Life of Adam and Eve, we also peruse the Book of Jubilees, the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Nicodemus, and the Apocalypse of Peter.

Take another look at ancient texts that were edited out of the Bible. Are they the missing links to Christ's true teachings, or heretical attempts to rewrite history? Explore the kabalistic stories of angels and demons disavowed by orthodox leaders, and the apocalyptic visions and the sexual imagery that were barred from the Old Testament. With discoveries being made across the world--in caves, ruined temples, ancient libraries, and monasteries--these tantalizing fragments continue to be found and debated. Are they heresy or hidden truth?

They were the followers of Jesus, and their words are literally considered "the gospel truth." So why have some of the writings attributed to them been suppressed or removed from the New Testament? Why was Peter's account of a "Lord of The Ring's" style battle of wits and magic repressed by Rome? Who was Paul's mysterious and powerful traveling companion, and why was she denied her rightful place among the women of the Bible? What forbidden sexual acts are suggested in the secret gospel of Mark? Why was a version of Peter's gospel that exonerates Pontius Pilot removed? And what is in the newly-authenticated Gospel of Judas that may change his public image as the ultimate betrayer of Christ? Why were these writings banned by the church? Are these the missing links to Christ's true teachings or heretical attempts to rewrite history? We'll look at where these lost texts first appeared; the debate over their authenticity; and their meaning -- if true.

We're on the hunt for two of the most famed and valuable treasures from the Bible--King Solomon's Mines and the Ark of the Covenant. Do they exist? Can they still be found? Or... have they already been discovered?

In the Holy Land, specialized archaeologists sift through the living sands to uncover civilizations that succumbed to time. We trace biblical archaeology's history and profile some of its prominent figures like the eccentric professor who had his head preserved for posterity, and a husband and wife team who have spent their lives digging the sands of Israel. We also explore the future of biblical archaeology and examine the high-tech tools that will someday make digging with pick and shovel obsolete.

Incredibly, the Bible says next to nothing about Christ's life from the time of his birth until nearly 30 years later. Where did Jesus go, and what did he do during those missing years--the major portion of his life? Did he travel outside of Palestine, even as far as India, where he was influenced by the teachings of Buddha? Or did he remain in Palestine as a member of an ultra-religious group planning a revolt against the Romans? Join us as we search for the "lost years" of Jesus.

From the beginning of recorded history, people from all over the world have believed in an afterlife. In Christianity, the powerful images of heaven and hell--fire and brimstone, harps and halos--have shaped Western thought for thousands of years. What does the Bible tell us about everlasting punishment and eternal life? Join us on a biblical journey through time as we explore the origins of heaven and hell and the symbols that represent them.

In a 2-hour special, we scrutinize ancient writings that didn't "make the cut" in the battle to create a Christian Bible in the new religion's first few centuries. Biblical archaeologists and scholars examine why they were left out and if others might yet be found. Beginning with the little-known Life of Adam and Eve, we also peruse the Book of Jubilees, the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Nicodemus, and the Apocalypse of Peter.

Take another look at ancient texts that were edited out of the Bible. Are they the missing links to Christ's true teachings, or heretical attempts to rewrite history? Explore the kabalistic stories of angels and demons disavowed by orthodox leaders, and the apocalyptic visions and the sexual imagery that were barred from the Old Testament. With discoveries being made across the world--in caves, ruined temples, ancient libraries, and monasteries--these tantalizing fragments continue to be found and debated. Are they heresy or hidden truth?

They were the followers of Jesus, and their words are literally considered "the gospel truth." So why have some of the writings attributed to them been suppressed or removed from the New Testament? Why was Peter's account of a "Lord of The Ring's" style battle of wits and magic repressed by Rome? Who was Paul's mysterious and powerful traveling companion, and why was she denied her rightful place among the women of the Bible? What forbidden sexual acts are suggested in the secret gospel of Mark? Why was a version of Peter's gospel that exonerates Pontius Pilot removed? And what is in the newly-authenticated Gospel of Judas that may change his public image as the ultimate betrayer of Christ? Why were these writings banned by the church? Are these the missing links to Christ's true teachings or heretical attempts to rewrite history? We'll look at where these lost texts first appeared; the debate over their authenticity; and their meaning -- if true.

We're on the hunt for two of the most famed and valuable treasures from the Bible--King Solomon's Mines and the Ark of the Covenant. Do they exist? Can they still be found? Or... have they already been discovered?

In the Holy Land, specialized archaeologists sift through the living sands to uncover civilizations that succumbed to time. We trace biblical archaeology's history and profile some of its prominent figures like the eccentric professor who had his head preserved for posterity, and a husband and wife team who have spent their lives digging the sands of Israel. We also explore the future of biblical archaeology and examine the high-tech tools that will someday make digging with pick and shovel obsolete.

Incredibly, the Bible says next to nothing about Christ's life from the time of his birth until nearly 30 years later. Where did Jesus go, and what did he do during those missing years--the major portion of his life? Did he travel outside of Palestine, even as far as India, where he was influenced by the teachings of Buddha? Or did he remain in Palestine as a member of an ultra-religious group planning a revolt against the Romans? Join us as we search for the "lost years" of Jesus.

From the beginning of recorded history, people from all over the world have believed in an afterlife. In Christianity, the powerful images of heaven and hell--fire and brimstone, harps and halos--have shaped Western thought for thousands of years. What does the Bible tell us about everlasting punishment and eternal life? Join us on a biblical journey through time as we explore the origins of heaven and hell and the symbols that represent them.