Larry A. Angus's Blog
July 16, 2014
Why Gnostic Gospels are a plus for Christian faith.
Most people believe these new gospels are a threat to Christianity. For centuries,it was taught there were only four "true" gospels. If any were discovered,they would be only mythical or later creations. Now, by a discovery in Egypt in 1945,it is known in addition to the biblical gospels there were also early gospels contributed to Jesus'disciples' Thomas, Philip, and Mary Magdalene.
There is factual evidence they were discarded by an all male church in the second century because they argued with such "immovable truth" (doctrines) as a bodily resurrection,the virgin birth, and that women should be priest. This one church, one hundred years after Jesus' life and resurrection, decided for him (and us) what everyone should believe about him. To differ in any detail from their beliefs make one a "heretic." Christianity became literally what one believed.
Now come these gospels that supplement, not supplant, or become alternative gospels, but add to our knowledge of early Christianity. They expand the spiritual vision of the Bible by redefining "faith." Of course, we all have beliefs, but these gospels suggest by their name that faith is more than what we know (one use of the word "gnosis"), but in these gospels there is a more dynamic dimension. Gnosis means our "knowing" the living Christ as one "knows" a friend. Faith is about our relating to Jesus and God without having to have all the answers. They present that faith is more than believing but always seeking, with our modern minds and emotions,both truth and God.
Whoops, these gospels contain some strange beliefs and myths. These myths (some quite interesting) are now dead, much like the myth of creation in seven, twenty four, days. Our "gnosis" can change, and needs to, but our faith as honestly seeking and relating to Christ is the deeper message of these gospels. Freeing us from beliefs we just can't accept, encouraging love over heavy judgments, and respect for differences and other religions, thus understanding these gospels in new light brings a plus for the power of faith. The Hidden Messages gives documentation for the new story of these gospels. Rev. Larry Angus
There is factual evidence they were discarded by an all male church in the second century because they argued with such "immovable truth" (doctrines) as a bodily resurrection,the virgin birth, and that women should be priest. This one church, one hundred years after Jesus' life and resurrection, decided for him (and us) what everyone should believe about him. To differ in any detail from their beliefs make one a "heretic." Christianity became literally what one believed.
Now come these gospels that supplement, not supplant, or become alternative gospels, but add to our knowledge of early Christianity. They expand the spiritual vision of the Bible by redefining "faith." Of course, we all have beliefs, but these gospels suggest by their name that faith is more than what we know (one use of the word "gnosis"), but in these gospels there is a more dynamic dimension. Gnosis means our "knowing" the living Christ as one "knows" a friend. Faith is about our relating to Jesus and God without having to have all the answers. They present that faith is more than believing but always seeking, with our modern minds and emotions,both truth and God.
Whoops, these gospels contain some strange beliefs and myths. These myths (some quite interesting) are now dead, much like the myth of creation in seven, twenty four, days. Our "gnosis" can change, and needs to, but our faith as honestly seeking and relating to Christ is the deeper message of these gospels. Freeing us from beliefs we just can't accept, encouraging love over heavy judgments, and respect for differences and other religions, thus understanding these gospels in new light brings a plus for the power of faith. The Hidden Messages gives documentation for the new story of these gospels. Rev. Larry Angus
