The Bible is one of the most famous and influential books in history. It’s a collection of religious texts that guide the beliefs of millions of people around the world. But did you know many other religious books didn’t make it into the Bible? These texts, often called “lost gospels” or “apocryphal writings,” tell different stories about Jesus, his followers, and early Christian beliefs. In this post, I introduce you to 18 fascinating religious books left out of the Bible.
The Gospel of Thomas
This collection of Jesus’ sayings provides a mystical, inward-looking perspective on his teachings, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and inner transformation. Rather than focus on the details of Jesus’ life and ministry, it presents his teachings as a series of cryptic, Zen-like statements that challenge the reader to discover the truth within themselves. The Gospel of Thomas was likely composed in the 2nd century and is considered one of the most significant of the lost gospels.
The Gospel of Judas
This controversial text presents Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, in a very different light- as Jesus’ closest confidant and the one he trusted to carry out a divine plan. In this gospel, Judas is not a villain, but rather someone who understood the true nature of Jesus’ mission. The text challenges the traditional depiction of Judas and suggests a more complex relationship between him and Jesus.
The Gospel of Mary
Discovered in the 19th century, this gospel offers a feminine perspective on Jesus’ teachings, exploring themes of spirituality, the nature of sin, and the role of women in the early church. The text presents Mary Magdalene as a key disciple who receives special revelations from Jesus, which she then shares with the other disciples. The Gospel of Mary provides a counterpoint to the male-dominated narratives of the canonical gospels.
The Apocryphon of John
Also known as the Secret Book of John, this text depicts a revelation given by the risen Christ to the apostle John. It presents a complex cosmology and mythology, including the idea of a supreme, unknowable God and the existence of various divine and demonic entities. The Apocryphon of John was influential in the development of Gnostic Christian thought.
The Gospel of the Egyptians
This Gnostic text was discovered in the 20th century. It presents an alternative vision of Christian teachings that emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge and the role of the feminine divine. It offers a unique perspective on the origins of humanity and the path to salvation, drawing on Egyptian and Hellenistic influences.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
This text tells stories about Jesus as a child, filling in the gaps of his early life not covered in the Bible. It portrays young Jesus performing miracles, sometimes with troubling consequences. The Infancy Gospel was known to exist for centuries but was rejected by the early church. It shows a different side of Jesus, as a child learning to control his powers.
The Gospel of Philip
This gospel focuses on spiritual teachings and the sacraments of early Christianity. It contains some controversial ideas about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The text was discovered in Egypt along with the Gospel of Thomas. It provides insight into some of the mystical beliefs of early Christian groups.
The Apocalypse of Peter
This book describes in vivid detail the punishments awaiting sinners in hell. It also includes a tour of heaven and predictions about the end times. The Apocalypse of Peter was popular in early Christianity but eventually excluded from the Bible. It influenced many later ideas about the afterlife in the Christian tradition.
The Secret Book of John
This text presents a complex creation myth different from the one in Genesis. It belongs to a set of beliefs called Gnosticism, which saw the material world as evil. The Secret Book of John was discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in Egypt. It offers a completely different understanding of God, creation, and human purpose.
The Protevangelium of James
This text focuses on the early life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the miraculous circumstances of Jesus’ birth. It provides details about Mary’s parents, her childhood in the temple, and her marriage to Joseph. The Protevangelium of James was widely popular in the early church and influenced many later traditions about Mary. Although not included in the Bible, it shaped Christian art and beliefs about the Virgin Mary for centuries, especially in Eastern Orthodox traditions.
The Acts of Paul and Thecla
This story tells of a woman named Thecla who becomes a follower of Paul. It describes her adventures and miracles as she preaches Christianity. The text was popular but eventually rejected as non-canonical. It presents a strong female character and was influential in early Christian ideas about women in ministry.
The Gospel of Peter
This gospel gives a different account of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. It includes some fantastical elements, like a talking cross and giants at the tomb. Only a fragment of the text survives, discovered in Egypt in 1886. The Gospel of Peter shows how stories about Jesus’ death and resurrection varied in early Christianity.
The Epistle of the Apostles
This text claims to be a letter from the apostles describing their conversations with the resurrected Jesus. It includes teachings about the resurrection and the end times. The Epistle was known in Ethiopia for centuries before being recognized by Western scholars. It provides insight into early Christian beliefs about Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances.
The Shepherd of Hermas
This long text contains visions and moral teachings supposedly given to a man named Hermas. It was very popular in early Christianity and was even considered scripture by some. The Shepherd of Hermas was eventually excluded from the Bible for being written too late. It gives us a look at the moral concerns and apocalyptic beliefs of early Christians.
The Didache
Also known as “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,” this text provides instructions for Christian living. It includes rules for baptism, fasting, prayer, and dealing with traveling teachers. The Didache was lost for centuries and rediscovered in 1873. It offers valuable information about how early Christian communities organized themselves.
The Apocalypse of Paul
This text describes Paul’s journey through heaven and hell, guided by an angel. It gives detailed descriptions of the rewards and punishments in the afterlife. The Apocalypse of Paul was very popular in the Middle Ages, influencing ideas about heaven and hell. It shows how early Christians imagined the afterlife in vivid detail.
The Gospel of the Hebrews
This lost gospel was used by Jewish Christians and may have been an early version of Matthew. Only fragments survive in quotes from other ancient writers. It seems to have contained some unique stories about Jesus not found in the Bible. The Gospel of the Hebrews provides evidence for the diversity of early Christian writings and beliefs.
The Epistle to the Laodiceans
This short letter claims to be a missing epistle of Paul mentioned in the Bible. It mostly contains phrases borrowed from Paul’s genuine letters, especially Philippians. The Epistle to the Laodiceans was widely read in the Middle Ages but rejected as non-canonical. Its creation shows how early Christians tried to fill perceived gaps in their scriptures, even by composing new texts in the style of apostolic writings.
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