www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings Rediscovering "Lost Gospels"

This is the headline over the feature article in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Faith & Values" section.

www.ajc.com/living/content/epaper/editions/saturday/faith_values.html [ajc.com]

Has any one read either of these 'best-sellers'?
"Beyond Belief", a nonfiction examination of the lost gospels or "The Da Vinci Code", a religious thriller that examines the "suppressed story of the role of Mary Magdalene in the early church".

"Both are built on the same point: A multitude of early Christian leaders and stories were deliberately excluded from the New Testament."

St Paul is described as a "bulldog" when addressing the Christian message, and St Iranaeus as "purged the early church of differing voices".
No where is the Holy Spirit described as guiding these early Christian leaders.

If anyone would like to comment after reading the above article/book review.
denise

In many circles, Mary Magdalene was Jesus' lover. Some have suggested that she was the "Beloved Disciple" and/or the author of the "Gospel of Luke."

Leave it to Elaine Pagels, her beloved Gnosticism, and anti-institutional church!

Joe

Dear Joe,
Who is this Elaine Pagels?
denise

Elaine Pagels is really into the Gospel of Thomas and Gnosticism versus Orthodox Christianity. She is quoted in the article you provided a link for. She wrote "The Gnostic Gospels" and "Beyond Belief."

Here is a book review from Amazon.com on Pagel's "Gnostic Gospels" book:

"Gnosticism's Christian form grew to prominence in the 2nd century A.D. Ultimately denounced as heretical by the early church, Gnosticism proposed a revealed knowledge of God ("gnosis" meaning "knowledge" in Greek), held as a secret tradition of the apostles. In The Gnostic Gospels, author Elaine Pagels suggests that Christianity could have developed quite differently if Gnostic texts had become part of the Christian canon. Without a doubt: Gnosticism celebrates God as both Mother and Father, shows a very human Jesus's relationship to Mary Magdalene, suggests the Resurrection is better understood symbolically, and speaks to self-knowledge as the route to union with God. Pagels argues that Christian orthodoxy grew out of the political considerations of the day, serving to legitimize and consolidate early church leadership. Her contrast of that developing orthodoxy with Gnostic teachings presents an intriguing trajectory on a world faith as it "might have become." The Gnostic Gospels provides engaging reading for those seeking a broader perspective on the early development of Christianity." --F. Hall

Elaine Pagels was also one of the principle translators of the Nag Hammadi codices, where many Gnostic writings were found.

One interpretatioin taken about the Gnostic texts is that the "institutional Church" snuffed out its competition. Though many of the Gnostic Christian texts were forbiden, many of the Church Fathers quoted them and their teaching faithfully and did not make claims that were untrue. Many of the 'surprises' in today's press can be found in letters written long, long ago.

But these are all "uncanonical" texts.

Many uncanonical texts were excluded from the Church and never became part of our permanent lectionary (cycle of readings). Many found a home in stichera (church hymns) and feastdays. Mary's nativity and presentation into the temple can be found in texts forbidden to be read in church. In Mary's Annunciation Icon, she is always hoding a spindle of thread (she was commissioned to spin the True Purple, the curtain to the Temple). Half of the content of our Resurrection Troparia and Kontakia on Sundays are based on the Gospel of Nicodemus. Our Resurrection Icon also reflects a scene of Christ's Descent into Hades not found in canonical texts. One of the three themes of Jerusalem Matins that we celebrate on Holy Saturday dig deeper into the mystery of the Descent into Hades. Mary's Dormition is certainly not found in any of the canonical New Testament texts.

So, you see, the institutional church has preserved such texts quite well. Maybe we should invite Elaine to one of our Byzantine liturgies?

God bless!
Joe Thur

Dear Joe,
Thank you for your informative reply.

Every Saturday I optimistically grab the "Faith and Values" section of the newspaper hoping for something traditional. Every week I am somewhat disappointed in the material covered. If Catholicism is covered it is usually about........ you guessed, the recent scandals. Another favorite topic seems to be same-sex unions or gays in the ministry.

It is sad so much of the country has no clue what real Tradition means.
denise

Faith and values section in a newspaper? B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r.

I stopped reading the religion section of the newspaper around twenty-five years ago. Didn't miss a thing.

Joe

Sounds like a contradiction in terms

Like an oxymoron

Or a frank admission that the rest of the paper includes neither.

Dear djs!
LOL, you are right.
denise

Dear Denise,

I am sorry to have to remind you of this.

It isn't intended to be personal.

But...

I have read that one of the definitions of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. :rolleyes:

So sorry to read of your newspaper problem. :p

I approach the "Religion" section of the papers not expecting much truth or fairness, and occasionally get a surprise!

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

My Chinese fortune cookies are usually better!


Joe,
One who loves Asian cooking

Fortune cookies are not Eastern. Strictly a Westernization.


djs, who loves authentic, traditional Asian cooking.

Although, come to think of it, I do also like that hybridized stuff. That fusion Pacific-rim cuisine.

Okay, okay, guys, I am embarrassed!
but laughing

If anyone says "all religions are about the same", well, I know differently. Thank God for Orthodoxy.
denise

You crack me up.

(private joke)