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The Hidden Messages of Jesus: How the Gnostic Gospels Change Christianity
Do you believe other gospels, contemporary with those in the Bible, ought to be heard?Do you question certain articles in the Apostles’ Creed, such as the virgin birth and bodily resurrection?Do you believe other religions other than Christianity have validity?Do you accept that women have the right to be clergy?Is your personal relationship to God more important than believing what you are told to believe?Is your way of faith honestly seeking what is true for the world and God?Do you believe Christ’s call was to a dynamic faith rather than to any system of beliefs?If you answered “yes” to a majority of these questions, you will find that the Gnostic Gospels support a different way to be Christian. These long lost, hidden, writings, as do the gospels in the Bible, lift up the power and love of Christ. This book explains how and why!
290 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2012
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221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 5, 2016
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.
“The Hidden Messages of Jesus: How the Gnostic Gospels Change Christianity” by Larry A. Angus, is an exceptionally detailed and documented history of how Christianity developed and evolved after the first-hand witnesses – the Apostles and others – had left the scene.
In spite of what the title may conjure up in your mind, Angus does not preach a new “hidden message”, which he believes all Christians should now adhere to. To the contrary, Angus shows many similarities between the four Gospels in the Bible and the Gnostic Gospels.
He also shows there are some differences, which primarily seem to encourage rational introspection on the part of individuals, as they seek always to enrich their personal relationships with their Creator. His aim is to let Christians know it is perfectly alright for them to question certain “truths” they have been taught to blindly believe, and focus on becoming more Christ-like in their daily lives.
“The Hidden Messages of Jesus” is a well-written and thought-provoking volume on a topic most contemporary Christians will never have heard about. Angus presents persuasive arguments as he urges Christians to move beyond simply “believing” what their denomination tells them to believe, and to proactively seek a closer walk with God.
Angus manages to portray a well-balanced picture of extra-Biblical texts and the Bible itself, carefully drawing attention to both complementary and contradictory passages found therein. Although “Hidden Messages” is sure to draw the ire of the power structure within the Church, Angus basically offers lay-Christians a history lesson which will help them move closer to God.
I was very reluctant to read this book, having my own pre-conceived notions of what it might have to say. Having read it thoroughly, I have no reluctance about recommending it as a tool to help individuals in their personal relationships with God. I doubt many people will agree 100% with everything Angus states, which is really the point of the book, but I am confident 98% of it will be a great help to many Christians today.
“The Hidden Messages of Jesus: How the Gnostic Gospels Change Christianity” by Larry A. Angus, is an exceptionally detailed and documented history of how Christianity developed and evolved after the first-hand witnesses – the Apostles and others – had left the scene.
In spite of what the title may conjure up in your mind, Angus does not preach a new “hidden message”, which he believes all Christians should now adhere to. To the contrary, Angus shows many similarities between the four Gospels in the Bible and the Gnostic Gospels.
He also shows there are some differences, which primarily seem to encourage rational introspection on the part of individuals, as they seek always to enrich their personal relationships with their Creator. His aim is to let Christians know it is perfectly alright for them to question certain “truths” they have been taught to blindly believe, and focus on becoming more Christ-like in their daily lives.
“The Hidden Messages of Jesus” is a well-written and thought-provoking volume on a topic most contemporary Christians will never have heard about. Angus presents persuasive arguments as he urges Christians to move beyond simply “believing” what their denomination tells them to believe, and to proactively seek a closer walk with God.
Angus manages to portray a well-balanced picture of extra-Biblical texts and the Bible itself, carefully drawing attention to both complementary and contradictory passages found therein. Although “Hidden Messages” is sure to draw the ire of the power structure within the Church, Angus basically offers lay-Christians a history lesson which will help them move closer to God.
I was very reluctant to read this book, having my own pre-conceived notions of what it might have to say. Having read it thoroughly, I have no reluctance about recommending it as a tool to help individuals in their personal relationships with God. I doubt many people will agree 100% with everything Angus states, which is really the point of the book, but I am confident 98% of it will be a great help to many Christians today.
July 9, 2015
I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.
I learned a lot about the gnostic gospels. The "leaders" of Christianity decided to include only four gospels in the Bible. Other gospels were written which included the gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary Magdalene among others. Some of these were discovered in 1945 in Nag Hammadi.
Angus does a good job of explaining what these gospels included and why they were suppressed. I don't necessarily think they should have been included in the Bible but I don't think they should have been suppressed as heresy as they were. I like to think that God had influence on what got included in the Bible.
Interesting book with easy to understand explanations provided.
I learned a lot about the gnostic gospels. The "leaders" of Christianity decided to include only four gospels in the Bible. Other gospels were written which included the gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary Magdalene among others. Some of these were discovered in 1945 in Nag Hammadi.
Angus does a good job of explaining what these gospels included and why they were suppressed. I don't necessarily think they should have been included in the Bible but I don't think they should have been suppressed as heresy as they were. I like to think that God had influence on what got included in the Bible.
Interesting book with easy to understand explanations provided.
November 4, 2014
I won a copy of "The Hidden Messages of Jesus: How the Gnostic Gospels Change Christianity" by Larry A. Angus on Goodreads for an honest review. I found this book to be very informative concerning the Gnostic views of Christianity. It tells what happened in the early times, and how things came to be as they are now. This book offers a deeper meaning and understanding of the messages of Jesus. A truly interesting, and thought provoking read.
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January 14, 2016Disclaimer: received a copy of this book free through Goodreads giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews