Congress2008-Apocrypha.ppt 1202KB Jun 23 2011 10:22:54 AM
Exciting “New” Gospels?
What Catholics need to know
about the Gospel of Judas
and other apocryphal writings
Religious Education Congress
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Felix Just, S.J.
http://catholic-resources.org
Introduction: Apocryphal Books
There are MANY ancient Jewish or Christian
writings not found in the OT or NT!
Have you read the entire text of…
…the Gospel of James? …of Peter?
…the Gospel of Thomas? (both?)
…the Gospel of Mary
(Magdalene)?
…of Judas? –
really?
…the Letter of Barnabas? …the Didache?
…the 1st Book of Enoch? …the Book of Jubilees?
Have you read ALL of the four NT Gospels?
The whole NT? The whole OT?
Introduction: Apocryphal Books
Should Catholic-Christians read these
books?
Yes! (If you wish!) But for what purpose?
Historical knowledge: Jesus & apostles? – NO!
Historical knowledge: How early Christian beliefs
developed in the first few centuries? – Yes!
Theological understanding: Our faith today? –
– Only indirectly! (learning about anything helps us)
It's OK to read non-canonical books!
Some suppressed/neglected in past (dangerous?)
Widely available today; popular in some circles
Yet OT & NT are still much more important!
I) Important Definitions
"gospel" = "good news" = oral preaching
from Gk. Ευ̉αγγέλιον = Evangelion
(cf. Eng.
"Evangelist")
eu = "good"; angelos = "messenger"
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent,
and believe in the good news.' " (Mark 1:14-15; NRSV)
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set
apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand
through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel
concerning his Son…" (Romans 1:1-3; NRSV)
"But the birthday of the god (Caesar Augustus) was… the
beginning of the good news for the world…" (Prien inscription)
I) Important Definitions
"Gospel" = "written account about Jesus"
NT Gospel Titles (added in 2nd Cent.):
Mark was first to use "gospel" in this sense:
"The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God." (Mark 1:1)
"Gospel according to Mark; Gospel according to…"
"Canon"
"Official List" of writings ("scriptures") considered
foundational by some group: HB canon, NT
canon…
Usually religious, but not only:
e.g. Shakespearean canon
I) Important Definitions
Four "Canonical Gospels"
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Dates: 1st century (60's – 90's)
Order? Mark probably first,
then Matthew, Luke; John last
"Non-canonical Gospels"
Many other short books
mostly from 2nd to 4th cent.
about Jesus' life and/or his teachings.
I) Important Definitions
"Apocryphal" = "hidden, secret"
Caution: Protestants refer to OT "Apocrypha":
Cf. English "crypt," "cryptic"
MANY ancient Jewish or Christian books
outside of HB or NT, overall called "Apocrypha"
Apocryphal Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Apocalypses
Not "canonical"; i.e., not in anyone's Bible
Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Eccl., Baruch
Called "Deutero-canonical" by Catholics & Orthodox
Don't confuse with "Apocalyptic"
"Revelation"; lit. "uncovering, revealing, opening"
I) Important Definitions
"Pseudepigraphic"
Writings "falsely attributed" to famous figures
of the past (esp. biblical, but not only)
Actual authors anonymous; written (much) later
"Gnostic"
Religious systems related to Judaism & Christianity
Dualistic: good vs. evil; spirit vs. matter; M vs. F !
Human life = "divine spark" trapped in mortal body
Salvation = freeing soul/spirit from its bodily prison,
by attaining proper (secret/esoteric) "knowledge"
of our divine origins & eternal destiny
II) Canonization of the NT
Long Process of Development:
writing, sharing, collecting, editing, translating,
debating, interpreting the books/letters now in NT
1st Cent. – individual writings composed
2nd Cent. – writings collected (4 Gospels; Paul’s
Letters)
4th Cent. – early canon lists
some with fewer than books: 2 Peter? Revelation?
some with more: Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, etc.
367 – Easter Letter of St. Athanasius – first list of all 27
16th Cent. – Council of Trent
First "official" listing of all 46 OT & 27 NT books
In reaction to Protestants (esp. regarding OT Apocrypha)
End of Luke & Beginning of John
II) Canonization of the NT
Main Criteria for Inclusion:
1) Apostolic Origin –
attributed to and/or based on preaching/teaching of
first-generation apostles (or their closest companions)
2) Universal Acceptance –
acknowledged by all major Christian communities in
the Mediterranean world (by end of 4th century)
3) Liturgical Use –
read publicly along with OT when early Christians
gathered for Lord's Supper (weekly worship services)
4) Consistent Message –
containing theological ideas compatible with other
accepted Christian writings (incl. divinity & humanity
Jesus)
II) Canonization of the NT
Reasons for Non-Inclusion in NT Canon
(opposites of the four criteria):
1) Apostolic Origin?
– written by later generations
2) Universal Acceptance?
– rejected by some
communities
3) Liturgical Use?
– too esoteric, obscure, private
4) Consistent Theology?
– present God/Jesus differently
Christology (Who is Jesus?):
Catholic: Both/And: Both HUMAN and DIVINE
Jewish or Adoptionist: Human, not really divine
Gnostic or Docetist: Divine, not really human
III) Non-canonical Gospels
We know of at least 30 "Gospels" not in NT
many different origins, styles, theologies
some positively influenced Church tradition
others rejected as "Gnostic" and/or "heretical"
some texts complete, others badly damaged/
fragmentary, others known only by title!
Arabic Infancy
Gospel
Gospel of
Matthias
Gospel of the
Lord
Gospel of the
Nazareans
Gospel of the
Birth of Mary
Gospel of
Nicodemus
Gospels of the 12
Apostles
Gospel of the
Ebionites
Gospel of PseudoMatthew
Gospel of
Bartholomew
Gospel of Mary
(Magdalene)
Gospel of the
Hebrews
III) Non-canonical Gospels
(See the bibliography, on back of the handout.)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
Some of the most famous or influential:
Gospel of James: mid-2nd Cent.
Gospel of Peter: late 2nd Cent. (discovered 1886)
earliest non-canonical narrative account of Jesus'
passion & resurrection
Infancy Gospel of Thomas: late 2nd Cent.
mainly about Mary (of Nazareth) as the mother of
Israel's salvation
strange & miraculous events from Jesus'
childhood,
from ages 5 to 12
Sayings Gospel of Thomas: 2nd – 3rd Cent.
(more below)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
Nag Hammadi Library:
Over 50 texts in 13 codices, Coptic, mostly gnostic,
discovered in 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt
Gospel of Thomas:
Orig. 2nd – 3rd Cent.; some old fragments in Greek;
Collection of 114 short sayings & teachings of Jesus
Gospel of the Egyptians
Gospel of Philip
Gospel of Truth
Many other books, including various Acts,
Dialogues, Treatises, Apocalypses, etc.
Nag Hammadi Codices
Nag Hammadi – Codex IV
III) Non-canonical Gospels
More recent texts:
Secret Gospel of Mark
Gospel acc. to Peanuts
Gospel acc. to the Simpsons
(1958, Morton Smith) – forgery?
(1965, Robert L. Short)
(2001/2007, Mark I.
Pinsky)
"Bigger and Possibly Even Better! Edition: With a New
Afterword Exploring South Park, Family Guy, and Other
Animated TV Shows"
Gospel acc. to Harry Potter
Gospel acc. to Doctor Seuss
Gospel acc. to Martha
(2002, Connie Neal)
"Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker"
(2004, James Kemp)
(2000, Barbara Murphy)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
"Are you serious?"
How are these modern texts related to
the ancient Apocryphal Gospels?
(I hear you cry!)
Similarities: they are mostly authors’
attempts
to understand the teachings or meaning of
Jesus,
or of other spiritual themes more broadly
Differences: most modern texts are not
forgeries; modern authors' names known
Excerpts: Gospel of James
(mid-2nd Cent.; Engl. trans. Andrew Bernhard)
Chap. 1: In the histories of the twelve tribes of Israel,
Joachim was an extremely rich man . . . As the great
day of the Lord was drawing near and the children of
Israel were bringing their offerings, however, Reubel
stood in his way, saying, "You cannot offer your gifts
first because you have not conceived a child in Israel."
...
Then, Joachim was extremely frustrated and did not
appear to his wife, but gave himself to the desert and
pitched his tent there. He fasted forty days and forty
nights. All the while, Joachim was saying to himself, "I
will not go down for food or drink until the Lord my
God visits me; prayer will be my food and drink."
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 2: Then, his wife Anna mourned and lamented
greatly for two reasons, saying, "I lament that I am a
widow and I lament that I am childless."
…she petitioned the Lord, saying, "God of my ancestors,
bless me and hear my prayer, just as you blessed our
mother Sarah and gave her son Isaac to her."
Ch. 4: Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood in front of her,
saying, "Anna, Anna, the Lord God has heard your
prayer. You will conceive and give birth and your child
will be spoken of everywhere people live." And Anna
said, "As the Lord God lives, whether I give birth to
either a male or a female child, I will bring it as an
offering to the Lord my God and it will be a servant to
him all the days of its life."
Annunciation to
Joachim & Anna
Gaudenzio Ferrari
(1544–45)
Next, two angels came,
saying to her, "Look your
husband Joachim is
coming with his flocks."
For an angel of the Lord
had gone down to
Joachim, saying, "Joachim,
Joachim, the Lord God has
heard your prayer. Go
down from here. Look,
your wife Anna has
conceived in her womb."
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 5: …After nine months, Anna gave birth and she said to
the midwife, "What is it?" The midwife said, "A girl." Anna
said, "My soul exalts this day." And she put her baby to
bed. After her days were completed, Anna cleansed
herself and gave her breast to the child and gave her the
name Mary.
Ch. 6 – At 6 months, Mary walks. At one year, she is blessed
by the high priests.
Ch. 7 – At age 3, Mary is taken to live in the temple.
Ch. 8-9 – At age 12, Mary is given to Joseph, a widower.
Ch. 11-12 – At age 16, Mary is visited by the Angel Gabriel;
then she visits her cousin Elizabeth.
Ch. 13-14 – Joseph discovers her pregnant; Joseph's dream
Ch. 15-16 – Mary & Joseph are questioned before the court.
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 17-18 – They go to Bethlehem, and Jesus is born.
Ch. 19-20 – A midwife attests that Mary is still a virgin.
Ch. 21-22 – Magi come visit; Herod kills all the infant boys
near Bethlehem; Mary hides Jesus; Elizabeth hides John
Ch. 23-24 – Still seeking John, Herod murders Zechariah
(see Matt 23:35 & Luke 11:51 – "…the blood of Zechariah son of
Zarachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Ch. 25 – "I, James, wrote this history when there was unrest
in Jerusalem, at the time Herod died. I took myself into
the desert until the unrest in Jerusalem ceased. All the
while, I was glorifying God who gave me the wisdom to
write this history. And grace will be with all who fear the
Lord. Amen.“
Birth of Mary / Revelation of James
Peace to the writer and the reader
Gospel of James
Evaluation of this text:
Not accepted as "canonical" – but why not?
Yet also not "gnostic" nor "heretical"
Popular / traditional / influential in Christian
history
Parallels parts of Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2
But also adds material (both earlier & filling in gaps):
Birth of Mary to Joachim & Anna
Some episodes in Mary's childhood
Her marriage to Joseph
More details surrounding her pregnancy
More episodes re. Herod killing children & Zechariah
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
(Mid-2nd Cent.; Engl. trans. Andrew Bernhard)
(1) I, Thomas the Israelite, am reporting to you, all
my brothers from the nations, to reveal the
childhood and the greatness of our Lord Jesus
Christ, what he did in
my country after he was born. This is the
beginning of it.
(2) When the boy Jesus was five years old, he
was playing in a narrow part of a rushing stream.
He was gathering the flowing waters into ponds,
and immediately they were made clean, and he
ordered these things with a single word.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (2)
(2 cont.) And after he made clay, he molded twelve
sparrows from it. And it was the Sabbath when he did
these things. . .
Then, a certain Jew saw what Jesus was doing while
playing on the Sabbath. Immediately, he departed and
reported to Jesus' father, Joseph, "Look, your child is in
the stream and he took clay and formed twelve birds
and profaned the Sabbath?"
And Joseph went to the area and when he saw him,
he shouted, "Why are you doing these things that are
not permitted on the Sabbath?" Jesus, however, clapped
his hands and shouted to the sparrows, "Depart, fly, and
remember me now that you are alive."
And the sparrows departed shrieking.
When the Jews saw this, they were amazed. . .
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (3)
(3) The son of Annas the scribe was standing there with
Jesus. Taking a branch from a willow tree, he dispersed the
waters which Jesus had gathered.
When Jesus saw what had happened, he became angry
and said to him, "You godless, brainless moron, what did
the ponds and waters do to you? Watch this now: you are
going to dry up like a tree and you will never produce
leaves or roots or fruit."
And immediately, this child withered up completely.
Then, Jesus departed and returned to Joseph's house.
The parents of the one who had been withered up,
however, wailed for their young child as they took his
remains away.
Then, they went to Joseph and accused him, "You are
responsible for the child who did this."
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (4-8)
(4) Next, he was going through the village again and a
running child bumped his shoulder. Becoming bitter,
Jesus said to him, "You will not complete your journey."
Immediately, he fell down and died.
Then, some of the people who had seen what had
happened said, "Where has this child come from so that
his every word is a completed deed?"
And going to Joseph, the parents of the one who had
died found fault with him. They said, "Because you have
such a child, you are not allowed to live with us in the
village, or at least teach him to bless and not curse.
For our children are dead!"
(5-8) Jesus, at age 5, is already wiser than teachers.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (9)
(9) And after a few days passed, Jesus was up on a roof of a
house. And one of the children playing with him died after
falling off the roof. . . When the parents of the one who had
died came, they accused Jesus, "Troublemaker, you threw
him down."
But Jesus replied, "I did not throw him down, rather he
threw himself down. When he was not acting carefully, he
leaped off the roof and died." Jesus leaped off the roof and
stood by the corpse of the boy and cried out with a loud voice
and said, "Zeno," - for that was his name - "rise up, talk to
me: did I throw you down?"
And rising up immediately, he said, "No, Lord, you did not
throw me down, but you did raise me up."
And when they saw this, they were overwhelmed. The
parents of the child glorified God on account of the sign
which had happened and they worshipped Jesus.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (10-11)
(10) – another miracle, after which the witnesses worship
him
(11) When Jesus was six years old, his mother sent
him to draw water to carry into the house. But he
accidentally let the water go in the crowd, and
crashing, the water jar broke. But unfolding the cloak
which was thrown around him, he filled it with water
and carried it to his mother.
When his mother saw the sign he had done, she
kissed him and treasured in her heart the mysterious
things she had seen him do.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (12-15)
(12) Then again, in the season of sowing, the child went
with his father to sow grain in their field. And as his
father was sowing, the child Jesus also sowed one
measure of grain.
And after he harvested and threshed it, it produced
one hundred measures. And calling all the poor of the
village to the threshing floor, he gave them grain freely.
And Joseph carried the remaining grain away.
Jesus was eight years old when he did this sign.
(13) – another miracle, after which Joseph is grateful
(14-15) – more stories of Jesus being wiser than teachers
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (16-19)
(16) Then, Joseph sent his son James to tie up wood and
bring it into his house, but the child Jesus also followed him.
And while James was collecting the bushes, a viper bit his
hand. And as he lay on the ground dying, Jesus approached
and blew on the bite. And immediately, his anguish ceased
and the animal broke apart and at once James was healthy.
(17-18) – more miracles, after which everyone is amazed
(19) – Jesus, at age 12, goes to Jerusalem with his parents
(see Luke 2:41-52)
Conclusion: "And Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and
age and grace. To him be the glory forever and ever, amen."
Jesus
in the Temple
at age 12
Gustave Doré
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Evaluation of this text:
Fills in biblical gaps: Jesus' childhood (esp. ages 5-9)
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
How does it portray the young Jesus?
Cruel? Curses people, and they immediately die?
Powerful? Miraculous healings & raising the dead!
Wise? Better than anyone who tries to teach him!
What can we learn from this text?
Anything about (the historical) Jesus? – No!
Some early Christians' beliefs about him? – Yes!
Gospel of Peter
(late 2nd Cent. text; discovered 1886; fragmentary begin & end)
The text begins near at the end of Jesus' trial,
narrates the crucifixion fairly briefly, with some
elements similar to the canonical Gospels, but some
different.
Jesus is condemned to death (Herod gives the orders!)
Joseph (of Arimathea) asks for Jesus' body (before he dies!)
Jesus is mocked & scourged, is crucified, and dies.
His body is taken down from the cross and buried.
Jewish leaders & people lament and repent.
The elders ask Pilate for soldiers to guard Jesus' tomb.
On the sabbath, a crowd comes to see the sealed tomb.
New details about the morning of the resurrection:
The Empty
Tomb
Gustave Doré
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
Par. 9-10 (trans. Sam Gibson):
During the night before the Lord's day dawned, as
the soldiers were keeping guard two by two in every
watch, there came a great sound in the sky, and
they saw the heavens opened and two men
descend shining with a great light, and they drew
near to the tomb.
The stone which had been set on the door rolled
away by itself and moved to one side, and the tomb
was opened and both of the young men went in.
Now when these soldiers saw that, they woke up the
centurion and the elders (for they also were there
keeping watch).
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
While they were yet telling them the things
which they had seen, they saw three men come
out of the tomb, two of them sustaining the
other one, and a cross following after them.
The heads of the two they saw had heads that
reached up to heaven, but the head of him that
was led by them went beyond heaven.
And they heard a voice out of the heavens
saying, "Have you preached unto them that
sleep?" The answer that was heard from the
cross was, "Yes!"
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
The story continues:
Soldiers report back to Pilate; he tells them to say nothing.
Mary of Magdala & other women go to the tomb to weep:
They're afraid of being seen by the Jews;
and wonder who will roll away the stone for them.
They find the tomb open, and see a young man inside.
Final paragraph:
Now it was the last day of Unleavened Bread, and many
were returning to their homes since the feast was ending.
But we, the twelve disciples of the Lord, continued
weeping and mourning, and each one still grieving for what
had happened, left for his own home. But I, Simon Peter,
and Andrew my brother, took our fishing nets and went to
the sea. With us was Levi, the son of Alphaeus, whom the
Lord...
(text breaks off here)
Gospel of Peter
Evaluation of this text:
Again, fills in a few biblical gaps (esp. Easter
morning)
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
What can we learn from this text?
What really happened on Easter morning,
how Jesus was raised from the dead? – No!
Some early Christians' beliefs about Jesus? –
Yes!
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Greek fragments from 2nd – 3rd Cent.;
4th Cent. Coptic text discovered 1945 near Nag Hammadi
Collection of 114 Sayings of Jesus; excerpts here from
"The Scholar's Translation," by S. Patterson & M. Meyer.
0) These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus
spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded.
1) And he said, "Whoever discovers the
interpretation of these sayings will not taste
death."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
2) Jesus said, "Those who seek should not stop seeking
until they find. When they find, they will be
disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will
marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have
reigned they will rest.]"
3) Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the
(Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of
the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in
the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the
kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When
you know yourselves, then you will be known, and
you will understand that you are children of the
living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then
you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
4) Jesus said, "The person old in days won't hesitate
to ask a little child seven days old about the place
of life, and that person will live. For many of the
first will be last, and will become a single one."
6) His disciples asked him and said to him, "Do you
want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we
give to charity? What diet should we observe?"
Jesus said, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate,
because all things are disclosed before heaven.
After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be
revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will
remain undisclosed."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
7) Jesus said, "Lucky is the lion that the human
will eat, so that the lion becomes human. And
foul is the human that the lion will eat, and the
lion still will become human."
8) And he said, The person is like a wise
fisherman who cast his net into the sea and
drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among
them the wise fisherman discovered a fine
large fish. He threw all the little fish back into
the sea, and easily chose the large fish. Anyone
here with two good ears had better listen!
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
9) Jesus said, Look, the sower went out, took a
handful (of seeds), and scattered (them).
Some fell on the road, and the birds came
and gathered them. Others fell on rock, and
they didn't take root in the soil and didn't
produce heads of grain. Others fell on thorns,
and they choked the seeds and worms ate
them. And others fell on good soil, and it
produced a good crop: it yielded sixty per
measure and one hundred twenty per
measure.
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other
in a single house, they will say to the mountain,
'Move from here!' and it will move."
56) Jesus said, "Whoever has come to know the
world has discovered a carcass, and whoever
has discovered a carcass, of that person the
world is not worthy."
77) Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all
things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to
me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am
there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me
there."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Last saying (possibly added late):
114) Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary
leave us, for females don't deserve life."
Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her
male, so that she too may become a living
spirit resembling you males.
For every female who makes herself male will
enter the kingdom of Heaven."
Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Evaluation of this text:
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
How does it portray the teachings of Jesus?
Heretical? Gnostic? Not universally accepted.
Familiar? Strange?
What can we learn from this text?
Anything about (the historical) Jesus? – Yes, a
bit!
Some of the 114 sayings may date to the 1 st
Cent.;
similar in wording and style to the Synoptics
Others are later, more gnostic in theology.
IV) Gospel of Judas
Ancient Origins:
Originally written in Greek, mid-2nd Cent.
Known & rejected by Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 180)
“Others again declare that Cain derived his being from the
Power above, and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the
Sodomites, and all such persons, are related to themselves. On
this account, they add, they have been assailed by the
Creator, yet no one of them has suffered injury. For Sophia
was in the habit of carrying off that which belonged to her from
them to herself. They declare that Judas the traitor was
thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone,
knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery
of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly,
were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious
history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”
(Against Heresies, I.30: “Doctrines of the Cainites”)
IV) Gospel of Judas
Modern Re-discovery:
Codex Tchacos, late 3rd Cent., Coptic, found 1970's
66 pages, with four texts, badly fragmented in part:
1) Letter of Peter to Philip; 2) James (First Apocalypse of)
3) Gospel of Judas; 4) Book of Allogenes (frag.)
Languished on antiquities market for decades.
Published by National Geographic Society
in 2006, with huge marketing blitz!
Press Conference: April 6, 2006
National Geographic Magazine, May 2006
Three books published by NG
Plus other books, other scholars, other publishers.
Gospel of Judas
IV) Gospel of Judas
Sensational Claims by NGS:
Judas was Jesus' favorite disciple!
Jesus asked Judas to betray him!
“The Gospel of Judas gives a different view of the
relationship between Jesus and Judas, offering new insights
into the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Unlike the accounts in
the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in
which Judas is portrayed as a reviled traitor, this newly
discovered Gospel portrays Judas as acting at Jesus’ request
when he hands Jesus over to the authorities.” (http://
www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/)
Really?
Can mid-2nd-cent. texts give us reliable new info
about what really happened in the days of Jesus?
IV) Gospel of Judas
More Careful Statements by Scholars:
Scholars say the text not only offers an alternative
view of the relationship between Jesus and Judas
but also illustrates the diversity of opinion in the
early Christian church.
"I expect this gospel to be important mainly for
the deeper insight it will give scholars into the
thoughts and beliefs of certain Christians in the
second century of the Christian era, namely the
Gnostics," said Stephen Emmel, a Coptic studies
professor at the University of Münster in Germany.
(National Geographic Press Release, April 6, 2006)
IV) Gospel of Judas
Other Cautions:
The text is very fragmentary; codex badly
damaged
Translations of some passages are still disputed
Theology is obviously Gnostic; but to
understand such texts at all, we need to know
what ancient Gnosticism believed and taught!
Literary Form :
Mostly dialogues between Jesus and Judas,
as explicitly stated at the very beginning.
Gospel of Judas
IV) Gospel of Judas (Intro)
Excerpts from The Gospel of Judas, edited by R. Kasser,
M. Meyer, and G. Wurst. National Geographic Society, 2006.
The secret account of the revelation that Jesus
spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a
week three days before he celebrated Passover.
When Jesus appeared on earth, he performed
miracles and great wonders for the salvation of
humanity… He began to speak to them about the
mysteries beyond the world and what would take
place at the end. Often he did not appear as
himself, but he was found among them as a child.
IV) Gospel of Judas (Scene 1)
… Judas [said] to him, “I know who you are and
where you have come from. You are from the
immortal realm of Barbelo. And I am not worthy
to utter the name of the one who has sent you.”
Knowing that Judas was reflecting on something
that was exalted, Jesus said to him, “Step away
from the others and I shall tell you the mysteries
of the kingdom. It is possible for you to reach it,
but you will grieve a great deal. For someone
else will replace you, in order that the twelve
[disciples] may again come to completion with
their god.”
IV) Gospel of Judas (Scene 3)
Judas said, “Master, as you have listened to all of
them, now also listen to me. For I have seen a
great vision.” When Jesus heard this, he laughed
and said to him, “You thirteenth spirit, why do you
try so hard? But speak up, and I shall bear with
you.”
Jesus said, "[Come], that I may teach you about
[secrets] no person [has] ever seen. For there
exists a great and boundless realm, whose extent
no generation of angels has seen, [in which] there
is [a] great invisible [Spirit],…"
IV) Gospel of Judas (crucial part)
Judas said to Jesus, "Look, what will those who
have been baptized in your name do?" Jesus said,
"Truly [I] say to you, this baptism […] my name
[ca. 9 lines missing]
to me. Truly [I] say to you, Judas, [those who] offer
sacrifices to Saklas […] God
[3 lines missing]
everything that is evil. But you will exceed all of
them. For you will sacrifice the man that
clothes me."
IV) Gospel of Judas
Conclusion of the Text:
[ . . . ] Their high priests murmured because [he]
had gone into the guest room for his prayer. But
some scribes were there watching carefully in
order to arrest him during the prayer, for they
were afraid of the people, since he was regarded
by all as a prophet.
They approached Judas and said to him, “What are
you doing here? You are Jesus’ disciple.”
Judas answered them as they wished. And he
received some money and handed him over to
them.
The Gospel of Judas
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
About early Gnosticism:
About Jesus and his apostles:
We learn a little more, recovering texts of previously
lost ancient writings (albeit often very fragmentary);
but nothing really new or different.
They mostly confirm Irenaeus' reports about their
contents, and why the early Church rejected them.
We learn nothing historically about the 1st Century.
About Early Christianity:
We learn more about the beliefs that some groups,
in the centuries after Jesus, began developing.
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
So why all the fuss? Good question!
Modern anti-Christian bias?
Selling more books and magazines?
Learn about these texts
Learn to ask intelligent questions
But beware the "hype"!
So you'll be better informed about such issues,
and not as susceptible to wild or false claims!
P.S. Don’t forget to read the BIBLE
even more than the non-canonical books!
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
What should we teach others about all this?
What should we , as Catholic Religious Educators,
teach our children, RCIA Candidates, and others?
1) Criteria for Canonicity:
WHY the Four Gospels were included, but others not?
2) Existence of MANY OTHER ancient religious books,
not included in either the OT or NT:
WHEN / WHERE they come from, in time & theology?
3) Differences between Christianity & Gnosticism:
Xnty: Jesus as fully human and fully divine!
Xnty: world/body/matter as both GOOD and sinful
Vs. Gnost: DUALISTIC; the WORLD mostly EVIL
Bibliography
W. Schneemelcher, ed. New Testament Apocrypha.
2 vols. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1991-92.
J.K. Elliott, ed. The Apocryphal New Testament.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
H. Koester. Ancient Christian Gospels. Harrisburg,
PA: Trinity Press International, 1990.
R.J. Miller, ed. The Complete Gospels: Annotated
Scholars Version. Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press,
1992.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com
http://wesley.nnu.edu/biblical_studies/noncanon/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/
X) Gospel of Philip
From
Nag Hammadi (Codex II,3) – Valentinian
loosely compiled sayings of Jesus; mostly on life
& death
Two
texts referring to Mary Magdalene:
(mentioned in the daVinci Code)
1) "There were three who always walked with the
Lord: Mary, his mother, and her sister, and
Magdalene, the one who was called his
companion. His sister and his mother and his
companion were each a Mary."
(59.6b-11a; J. Robinson, NHL, p. 145)
Gospel of Philip: Ref. to M.Mag.
2) As for the Wisdom who is called "the barren," she is the
mother [of the] angels.
And the companion of the [. . .] Mary Magdalene.
[. . . loved] her more than [all] the disciples [and used to]
kiss her [often] on her [. . .]. The rest of [the disciples . . . //
. . .].
They said to him, "Why do you love her more than all of
us?" The Savior answered and said to them, "Why do I
not love you like her?
When a blind man and one who
sees are both together in darkness, they are no
different from one another. When the light comes, then
he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will
remain in darkness." (63.30b-64.9; J. Robinson, NHL, p. 145)
Note: The online copy does not indicate all the lacunae!
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
PB 8502; discovered 1896; not publ. until 1955!
Pages 1-6 (ch. 1-3) and 11-14 (ch. 6-7) are lost!
Ch. 5: But they were grieved. They wept greatly,
saying, “How shall we go to the Gentiles and preach
the gospel of the Kingdom of the Son of Man? If they
did not spare Him, how will they spare us?”
Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her
brethren, “Do not weep and do not grieve nor be
irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and
will protect you. But rather, let us praise His greatness,
for He has prepared us and made us into Men.”
When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the
Good, and they began to discuss the words of the
Savior.
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Peter said to Mary, “Sister we know that the Savior
loved you more than the rest of woman. Tell us the
words of the Savior which you remember which you
know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.”
Mary answered and said, “What is hidden from you I
will proclaim to you.” And she began to speak to them
these words: “I,” she said, “I saw the Lord in a vision
and I said to Him, ‘Lord I saw you today in a vision.’ He
answered and said to me, ‘Blessed are you that you did
not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is
there is the treasure.’ I said to Him, ‘Lord, how does he
who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through
the spirit?’ The Savior answered and said, ‘He does not
see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the
mind that is between the two that is what sees the
vision and it is . . . [pages 11-14 missing]
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Ch. 9: When Mary had said this, she fell silent, since it
was to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.
But Andrew answered and said to the brethren, “Say
what you wish to say about what she has said. I at least
do not believe that the Savior said this. For certainly
these teachings are strange ideas.”
Peter answered and spoke concerning these same
things. He questioned them about the Savior: “Did He
really speak privately with a woman and not openly to
us? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did He
prefer her to us?”
Then Mary wept and said to Peter, “My brother Peter,
what do you think? Do you think that I have thought this
up myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the
Savior?”
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Levi answered and said to Peter,
“Peter you have always been hot tempered. Now I
see you contending against the woman like the
adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who
are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Savior
knows her very well. That is why He loved her more
than us. Rather let us be ashamed and put on the
perfect Man, and separate as He commanded us and
preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or
other law beyond what the Savior said.”
And when they heard this they began to go forth to
proclaim and to preach.
The Gospel according to Mary
What Catholics need to know
about the Gospel of Judas
and other apocryphal writings
Religious Education Congress
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Felix Just, S.J.
http://catholic-resources.org
Introduction: Apocryphal Books
There are MANY ancient Jewish or Christian
writings not found in the OT or NT!
Have you read the entire text of…
…the Gospel of James? …of Peter?
…the Gospel of Thomas? (both?)
…the Gospel of Mary
(Magdalene)?
…of Judas? –
really?
…the Letter of Barnabas? …the Didache?
…the 1st Book of Enoch? …the Book of Jubilees?
Have you read ALL of the four NT Gospels?
The whole NT? The whole OT?
Introduction: Apocryphal Books
Should Catholic-Christians read these
books?
Yes! (If you wish!) But for what purpose?
Historical knowledge: Jesus & apostles? – NO!
Historical knowledge: How early Christian beliefs
developed in the first few centuries? – Yes!
Theological understanding: Our faith today? –
– Only indirectly! (learning about anything helps us)
It's OK to read non-canonical books!
Some suppressed/neglected in past (dangerous?)
Widely available today; popular in some circles
Yet OT & NT are still much more important!
I) Important Definitions
"gospel" = "good news" = oral preaching
from Gk. Ευ̉αγγέλιον = Evangelion
(cf. Eng.
"Evangelist")
eu = "good"; angelos = "messenger"
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent,
and believe in the good news.' " (Mark 1:14-15; NRSV)
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set
apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand
through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel
concerning his Son…" (Romans 1:1-3; NRSV)
"But the birthday of the god (Caesar Augustus) was… the
beginning of the good news for the world…" (Prien inscription)
I) Important Definitions
"Gospel" = "written account about Jesus"
NT Gospel Titles (added in 2nd Cent.):
Mark was first to use "gospel" in this sense:
"The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God." (Mark 1:1)
"Gospel according to Mark; Gospel according to…"
"Canon"
"Official List" of writings ("scriptures") considered
foundational by some group: HB canon, NT
canon…
Usually religious, but not only:
e.g. Shakespearean canon
I) Important Definitions
Four "Canonical Gospels"
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Dates: 1st century (60's – 90's)
Order? Mark probably first,
then Matthew, Luke; John last
"Non-canonical Gospels"
Many other short books
mostly from 2nd to 4th cent.
about Jesus' life and/or his teachings.
I) Important Definitions
"Apocryphal" = "hidden, secret"
Caution: Protestants refer to OT "Apocrypha":
Cf. English "crypt," "cryptic"
MANY ancient Jewish or Christian books
outside of HB or NT, overall called "Apocrypha"
Apocryphal Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Apocalypses
Not "canonical"; i.e., not in anyone's Bible
Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Eccl., Baruch
Called "Deutero-canonical" by Catholics & Orthodox
Don't confuse with "Apocalyptic"
"Revelation"; lit. "uncovering, revealing, opening"
I) Important Definitions
"Pseudepigraphic"
Writings "falsely attributed" to famous figures
of the past (esp. biblical, but not only)
Actual authors anonymous; written (much) later
"Gnostic"
Religious systems related to Judaism & Christianity
Dualistic: good vs. evil; spirit vs. matter; M vs. F !
Human life = "divine spark" trapped in mortal body
Salvation = freeing soul/spirit from its bodily prison,
by attaining proper (secret/esoteric) "knowledge"
of our divine origins & eternal destiny
II) Canonization of the NT
Long Process of Development:
writing, sharing, collecting, editing, translating,
debating, interpreting the books/letters now in NT
1st Cent. – individual writings composed
2nd Cent. – writings collected (4 Gospels; Paul’s
Letters)
4th Cent. – early canon lists
some with fewer than books: 2 Peter? Revelation?
some with more: Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, etc.
367 – Easter Letter of St. Athanasius – first list of all 27
16th Cent. – Council of Trent
First "official" listing of all 46 OT & 27 NT books
In reaction to Protestants (esp. regarding OT Apocrypha)
End of Luke & Beginning of John
II) Canonization of the NT
Main Criteria for Inclusion:
1) Apostolic Origin –
attributed to and/or based on preaching/teaching of
first-generation apostles (or their closest companions)
2) Universal Acceptance –
acknowledged by all major Christian communities in
the Mediterranean world (by end of 4th century)
3) Liturgical Use –
read publicly along with OT when early Christians
gathered for Lord's Supper (weekly worship services)
4) Consistent Message –
containing theological ideas compatible with other
accepted Christian writings (incl. divinity & humanity
Jesus)
II) Canonization of the NT
Reasons for Non-Inclusion in NT Canon
(opposites of the four criteria):
1) Apostolic Origin?
– written by later generations
2) Universal Acceptance?
– rejected by some
communities
3) Liturgical Use?
– too esoteric, obscure, private
4) Consistent Theology?
– present God/Jesus differently
Christology (Who is Jesus?):
Catholic: Both/And: Both HUMAN and DIVINE
Jewish or Adoptionist: Human, not really divine
Gnostic or Docetist: Divine, not really human
III) Non-canonical Gospels
We know of at least 30 "Gospels" not in NT
many different origins, styles, theologies
some positively influenced Church tradition
others rejected as "Gnostic" and/or "heretical"
some texts complete, others badly damaged/
fragmentary, others known only by title!
Arabic Infancy
Gospel
Gospel of
Matthias
Gospel of the
Lord
Gospel of the
Nazareans
Gospel of the
Birth of Mary
Gospel of
Nicodemus
Gospels of the 12
Apostles
Gospel of the
Ebionites
Gospel of PseudoMatthew
Gospel of
Bartholomew
Gospel of Mary
(Magdalene)
Gospel of the
Hebrews
III) Non-canonical Gospels
(See the bibliography, on back of the handout.)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
Some of the most famous or influential:
Gospel of James: mid-2nd Cent.
Gospel of Peter: late 2nd Cent. (discovered 1886)
earliest non-canonical narrative account of Jesus'
passion & resurrection
Infancy Gospel of Thomas: late 2nd Cent.
mainly about Mary (of Nazareth) as the mother of
Israel's salvation
strange & miraculous events from Jesus'
childhood,
from ages 5 to 12
Sayings Gospel of Thomas: 2nd – 3rd Cent.
(more below)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
Nag Hammadi Library:
Over 50 texts in 13 codices, Coptic, mostly gnostic,
discovered in 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt
Gospel of Thomas:
Orig. 2nd – 3rd Cent.; some old fragments in Greek;
Collection of 114 short sayings & teachings of Jesus
Gospel of the Egyptians
Gospel of Philip
Gospel of Truth
Many other books, including various Acts,
Dialogues, Treatises, Apocalypses, etc.
Nag Hammadi Codices
Nag Hammadi – Codex IV
III) Non-canonical Gospels
More recent texts:
Secret Gospel of Mark
Gospel acc. to Peanuts
Gospel acc. to the Simpsons
(1958, Morton Smith) – forgery?
(1965, Robert L. Short)
(2001/2007, Mark I.
Pinsky)
"Bigger and Possibly Even Better! Edition: With a New
Afterword Exploring South Park, Family Guy, and Other
Animated TV Shows"
Gospel acc. to Harry Potter
Gospel acc. to Doctor Seuss
Gospel acc. to Martha
(2002, Connie Neal)
"Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker"
(2004, James Kemp)
(2000, Barbara Murphy)
III) Non-canonical Gospels
"Are you serious?"
How are these modern texts related to
the ancient Apocryphal Gospels?
(I hear you cry!)
Similarities: they are mostly authors’
attempts
to understand the teachings or meaning of
Jesus,
or of other spiritual themes more broadly
Differences: most modern texts are not
forgeries; modern authors' names known
Excerpts: Gospel of James
(mid-2nd Cent.; Engl. trans. Andrew Bernhard)
Chap. 1: In the histories of the twelve tribes of Israel,
Joachim was an extremely rich man . . . As the great
day of the Lord was drawing near and the children of
Israel were bringing their offerings, however, Reubel
stood in his way, saying, "You cannot offer your gifts
first because you have not conceived a child in Israel."
...
Then, Joachim was extremely frustrated and did not
appear to his wife, but gave himself to the desert and
pitched his tent there. He fasted forty days and forty
nights. All the while, Joachim was saying to himself, "I
will not go down for food or drink until the Lord my
God visits me; prayer will be my food and drink."
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 2: Then, his wife Anna mourned and lamented
greatly for two reasons, saying, "I lament that I am a
widow and I lament that I am childless."
…she petitioned the Lord, saying, "God of my ancestors,
bless me and hear my prayer, just as you blessed our
mother Sarah and gave her son Isaac to her."
Ch. 4: Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood in front of her,
saying, "Anna, Anna, the Lord God has heard your
prayer. You will conceive and give birth and your child
will be spoken of everywhere people live." And Anna
said, "As the Lord God lives, whether I give birth to
either a male or a female child, I will bring it as an
offering to the Lord my God and it will be a servant to
him all the days of its life."
Annunciation to
Joachim & Anna
Gaudenzio Ferrari
(1544–45)
Next, two angels came,
saying to her, "Look your
husband Joachim is
coming with his flocks."
For an angel of the Lord
had gone down to
Joachim, saying, "Joachim,
Joachim, the Lord God has
heard your prayer. Go
down from here. Look,
your wife Anna has
conceived in her womb."
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 5: …After nine months, Anna gave birth and she said to
the midwife, "What is it?" The midwife said, "A girl." Anna
said, "My soul exalts this day." And she put her baby to
bed. After her days were completed, Anna cleansed
herself and gave her breast to the child and gave her the
name Mary.
Ch. 6 – At 6 months, Mary walks. At one year, she is blessed
by the high priests.
Ch. 7 – At age 3, Mary is taken to live in the temple.
Ch. 8-9 – At age 12, Mary is given to Joseph, a widower.
Ch. 11-12 – At age 16, Mary is visited by the Angel Gabriel;
then she visits her cousin Elizabeth.
Ch. 13-14 – Joseph discovers her pregnant; Joseph's dream
Ch. 15-16 – Mary & Joseph are questioned before the court.
Excerpts: Gospel of James
Ch. 17-18 – They go to Bethlehem, and Jesus is born.
Ch. 19-20 – A midwife attests that Mary is still a virgin.
Ch. 21-22 – Magi come visit; Herod kills all the infant boys
near Bethlehem; Mary hides Jesus; Elizabeth hides John
Ch. 23-24 – Still seeking John, Herod murders Zechariah
(see Matt 23:35 & Luke 11:51 – "…the blood of Zechariah son of
Zarachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Ch. 25 – "I, James, wrote this history when there was unrest
in Jerusalem, at the time Herod died. I took myself into
the desert until the unrest in Jerusalem ceased. All the
while, I was glorifying God who gave me the wisdom to
write this history. And grace will be with all who fear the
Lord. Amen.“
Birth of Mary / Revelation of James
Peace to the writer and the reader
Gospel of James
Evaluation of this text:
Not accepted as "canonical" – but why not?
Yet also not "gnostic" nor "heretical"
Popular / traditional / influential in Christian
history
Parallels parts of Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2
But also adds material (both earlier & filling in gaps):
Birth of Mary to Joachim & Anna
Some episodes in Mary's childhood
Her marriage to Joseph
More details surrounding her pregnancy
More episodes re. Herod killing children & Zechariah
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
(Mid-2nd Cent.; Engl. trans. Andrew Bernhard)
(1) I, Thomas the Israelite, am reporting to you, all
my brothers from the nations, to reveal the
childhood and the greatness of our Lord Jesus
Christ, what he did in
my country after he was born. This is the
beginning of it.
(2) When the boy Jesus was five years old, he
was playing in a narrow part of a rushing stream.
He was gathering the flowing waters into ponds,
and immediately they were made clean, and he
ordered these things with a single word.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (2)
(2 cont.) And after he made clay, he molded twelve
sparrows from it. And it was the Sabbath when he did
these things. . .
Then, a certain Jew saw what Jesus was doing while
playing on the Sabbath. Immediately, he departed and
reported to Jesus' father, Joseph, "Look, your child is in
the stream and he took clay and formed twelve birds
and profaned the Sabbath?"
And Joseph went to the area and when he saw him,
he shouted, "Why are you doing these things that are
not permitted on the Sabbath?" Jesus, however, clapped
his hands and shouted to the sparrows, "Depart, fly, and
remember me now that you are alive."
And the sparrows departed shrieking.
When the Jews saw this, they were amazed. . .
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (3)
(3) The son of Annas the scribe was standing there with
Jesus. Taking a branch from a willow tree, he dispersed the
waters which Jesus had gathered.
When Jesus saw what had happened, he became angry
and said to him, "You godless, brainless moron, what did
the ponds and waters do to you? Watch this now: you are
going to dry up like a tree and you will never produce
leaves or roots or fruit."
And immediately, this child withered up completely.
Then, Jesus departed and returned to Joseph's house.
The parents of the one who had been withered up,
however, wailed for their young child as they took his
remains away.
Then, they went to Joseph and accused him, "You are
responsible for the child who did this."
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (4-8)
(4) Next, he was going through the village again and a
running child bumped his shoulder. Becoming bitter,
Jesus said to him, "You will not complete your journey."
Immediately, he fell down and died.
Then, some of the people who had seen what had
happened said, "Where has this child come from so that
his every word is a completed deed?"
And going to Joseph, the parents of the one who had
died found fault with him. They said, "Because you have
such a child, you are not allowed to live with us in the
village, or at least teach him to bless and not curse.
For our children are dead!"
(5-8) Jesus, at age 5, is already wiser than teachers.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (9)
(9) And after a few days passed, Jesus was up on a roof of a
house. And one of the children playing with him died after
falling off the roof. . . When the parents of the one who had
died came, they accused Jesus, "Troublemaker, you threw
him down."
But Jesus replied, "I did not throw him down, rather he
threw himself down. When he was not acting carefully, he
leaped off the roof and died." Jesus leaped off the roof and
stood by the corpse of the boy and cried out with a loud voice
and said, "Zeno," - for that was his name - "rise up, talk to
me: did I throw you down?"
And rising up immediately, he said, "No, Lord, you did not
throw me down, but you did raise me up."
And when they saw this, they were overwhelmed. The
parents of the child glorified God on account of the sign
which had happened and they worshipped Jesus.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (10-11)
(10) – another miracle, after which the witnesses worship
him
(11) When Jesus was six years old, his mother sent
him to draw water to carry into the house. But he
accidentally let the water go in the crowd, and
crashing, the water jar broke. But unfolding the cloak
which was thrown around him, he filled it with water
and carried it to his mother.
When his mother saw the sign he had done, she
kissed him and treasured in her heart the mysterious
things she had seen him do.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (12-15)
(12) Then again, in the season of sowing, the child went
with his father to sow grain in their field. And as his
father was sowing, the child Jesus also sowed one
measure of grain.
And after he harvested and threshed it, it produced
one hundred measures. And calling all the poor of the
village to the threshing floor, he gave them grain freely.
And Joseph carried the remaining grain away.
Jesus was eight years old when he did this sign.
(13) – another miracle, after which Joseph is grateful
(14-15) – more stories of Jesus being wiser than teachers
Infancy Gospel of Thomas (16-19)
(16) Then, Joseph sent his son James to tie up wood and
bring it into his house, but the child Jesus also followed him.
And while James was collecting the bushes, a viper bit his
hand. And as he lay on the ground dying, Jesus approached
and blew on the bite. And immediately, his anguish ceased
and the animal broke apart and at once James was healthy.
(17-18) – more miracles, after which everyone is amazed
(19) – Jesus, at age 12, goes to Jerusalem with his parents
(see Luke 2:41-52)
Conclusion: "And Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and
age and grace. To him be the glory forever and ever, amen."
Jesus
in the Temple
at age 12
Gustave Doré
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Evaluation of this text:
Fills in biblical gaps: Jesus' childhood (esp. ages 5-9)
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
How does it portray the young Jesus?
Cruel? Curses people, and they immediately die?
Powerful? Miraculous healings & raising the dead!
Wise? Better than anyone who tries to teach him!
What can we learn from this text?
Anything about (the historical) Jesus? – No!
Some early Christians' beliefs about him? – Yes!
Gospel of Peter
(late 2nd Cent. text; discovered 1886; fragmentary begin & end)
The text begins near at the end of Jesus' trial,
narrates the crucifixion fairly briefly, with some
elements similar to the canonical Gospels, but some
different.
Jesus is condemned to death (Herod gives the orders!)
Joseph (of Arimathea) asks for Jesus' body (before he dies!)
Jesus is mocked & scourged, is crucified, and dies.
His body is taken down from the cross and buried.
Jewish leaders & people lament and repent.
The elders ask Pilate for soldiers to guard Jesus' tomb.
On the sabbath, a crowd comes to see the sealed tomb.
New details about the morning of the resurrection:
The Empty
Tomb
Gustave Doré
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
Par. 9-10 (trans. Sam Gibson):
During the night before the Lord's day dawned, as
the soldiers were keeping guard two by two in every
watch, there came a great sound in the sky, and
they saw the heavens opened and two men
descend shining with a great light, and they drew
near to the tomb.
The stone which had been set on the door rolled
away by itself and moved to one side, and the tomb
was opened and both of the young men went in.
Now when these soldiers saw that, they woke up the
centurion and the elders (for they also were there
keeping watch).
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
While they were yet telling them the things
which they had seen, they saw three men come
out of the tomb, two of them sustaining the
other one, and a cross following after them.
The heads of the two they saw had heads that
reached up to heaven, but the head of him that
was led by them went beyond heaven.
And they heard a voice out of the heavens
saying, "Have you preached unto them that
sleep?" The answer that was heard from the
cross was, "Yes!"
Excerpts: Gospel of Peter
The story continues:
Soldiers report back to Pilate; he tells them to say nothing.
Mary of Magdala & other women go to the tomb to weep:
They're afraid of being seen by the Jews;
and wonder who will roll away the stone for them.
They find the tomb open, and see a young man inside.
Final paragraph:
Now it was the last day of Unleavened Bread, and many
were returning to their homes since the feast was ending.
But we, the twelve disciples of the Lord, continued
weeping and mourning, and each one still grieving for what
had happened, left for his own home. But I, Simon Peter,
and Andrew my brother, took our fishing nets and went to
the sea. With us was Levi, the son of Alphaeus, whom the
Lord...
(text breaks off here)
Gospel of Peter
Evaluation of this text:
Again, fills in a few biblical gaps (esp. Easter
morning)
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
What can we learn from this text?
What really happened on Easter morning,
how Jesus was raised from the dead? – No!
Some early Christians' beliefs about Jesus? –
Yes!
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Greek fragments from 2nd – 3rd Cent.;
4th Cent. Coptic text discovered 1945 near Nag Hammadi
Collection of 114 Sayings of Jesus; excerpts here from
"The Scholar's Translation," by S. Patterson & M. Meyer.
0) These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus
spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded.
1) And he said, "Whoever discovers the
interpretation of these sayings will not taste
death."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
2) Jesus said, "Those who seek should not stop seeking
until they find. When they find, they will be
disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will
marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have
reigned they will rest.]"
3) Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the
(Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of
the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in
the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the
kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When
you know yourselves, then you will be known, and
you will understand that you are children of the
living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then
you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
4) Jesus said, "The person old in days won't hesitate
to ask a little child seven days old about the place
of life, and that person will live. For many of the
first will be last, and will become a single one."
6) His disciples asked him and said to him, "Do you
want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we
give to charity? What diet should we observe?"
Jesus said, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate,
because all things are disclosed before heaven.
After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be
revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will
remain undisclosed."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
7) Jesus said, "Lucky is the lion that the human
will eat, so that the lion becomes human. And
foul is the human that the lion will eat, and the
lion still will become human."
8) And he said, The person is like a wise
fisherman who cast his net into the sea and
drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among
them the wise fisherman discovered a fine
large fish. He threw all the little fish back into
the sea, and easily chose the large fish. Anyone
here with two good ears had better listen!
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
9) Jesus said, Look, the sower went out, took a
handful (of seeds), and scattered (them).
Some fell on the road, and the birds came
and gathered them. Others fell on rock, and
they didn't take root in the soil and didn't
produce heads of grain. Others fell on thorns,
and they choked the seeds and worms ate
them. And others fell on good soil, and it
produced a good crop: it yielded sixty per
measure and one hundred twenty per
measure.
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
48) Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other
in a single house, they will say to the mountain,
'Move from here!' and it will move."
56) Jesus said, "Whoever has come to know the
world has discovered a carcass, and whoever
has discovered a carcass, of that person the
world is not worthy."
77) Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all
things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to
me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am
there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me
there."
Ex: Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Last saying (possibly added late):
114) Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary
leave us, for females don't deserve life."
Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her
male, so that she too may become a living
spirit resembling you males.
For every female who makes herself male will
enter the kingdom of Heaven."
Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Evaluation of this text:
Not accepted as "canonical" – Why not?
How does it portray the teachings of Jesus?
Heretical? Gnostic? Not universally accepted.
Familiar? Strange?
What can we learn from this text?
Anything about (the historical) Jesus? – Yes, a
bit!
Some of the 114 sayings may date to the 1 st
Cent.;
similar in wording and style to the Synoptics
Others are later, more gnostic in theology.
IV) Gospel of Judas
Ancient Origins:
Originally written in Greek, mid-2nd Cent.
Known & rejected by Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 180)
“Others again declare that Cain derived his being from the
Power above, and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the
Sodomites, and all such persons, are related to themselves. On
this account, they add, they have been assailed by the
Creator, yet no one of them has suffered injury. For Sophia
was in the habit of carrying off that which belonged to her from
them to herself. They declare that Judas the traitor was
thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone,
knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery
of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly,
were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious
history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”
(Against Heresies, I.30: “Doctrines of the Cainites”)
IV) Gospel of Judas
Modern Re-discovery:
Codex Tchacos, late 3rd Cent., Coptic, found 1970's
66 pages, with four texts, badly fragmented in part:
1) Letter of Peter to Philip; 2) James (First Apocalypse of)
3) Gospel of Judas; 4) Book of Allogenes (frag.)
Languished on antiquities market for decades.
Published by National Geographic Society
in 2006, with huge marketing blitz!
Press Conference: April 6, 2006
National Geographic Magazine, May 2006
Three books published by NG
Plus other books, other scholars, other publishers.
Gospel of Judas
IV) Gospel of Judas
Sensational Claims by NGS:
Judas was Jesus' favorite disciple!
Jesus asked Judas to betray him!
“The Gospel of Judas gives a different view of the
relationship between Jesus and Judas, offering new insights
into the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Unlike the accounts in
the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in
which Judas is portrayed as a reviled traitor, this newly
discovered Gospel portrays Judas as acting at Jesus’ request
when he hands Jesus over to the authorities.” (http://
www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/)
Really?
Can mid-2nd-cent. texts give us reliable new info
about what really happened in the days of Jesus?
IV) Gospel of Judas
More Careful Statements by Scholars:
Scholars say the text not only offers an alternative
view of the relationship between Jesus and Judas
but also illustrates the diversity of opinion in the
early Christian church.
"I expect this gospel to be important mainly for
the deeper insight it will give scholars into the
thoughts and beliefs of certain Christians in the
second century of the Christian era, namely the
Gnostics," said Stephen Emmel, a Coptic studies
professor at the University of Münster in Germany.
(National Geographic Press Release, April 6, 2006)
IV) Gospel of Judas
Other Cautions:
The text is very fragmentary; codex badly
damaged
Translations of some passages are still disputed
Theology is obviously Gnostic; but to
understand such texts at all, we need to know
what ancient Gnosticism believed and taught!
Literary Form :
Mostly dialogues between Jesus and Judas,
as explicitly stated at the very beginning.
Gospel of Judas
IV) Gospel of Judas (Intro)
Excerpts from The Gospel of Judas, edited by R. Kasser,
M. Meyer, and G. Wurst. National Geographic Society, 2006.
The secret account of the revelation that Jesus
spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a
week three days before he celebrated Passover.
When Jesus appeared on earth, he performed
miracles and great wonders for the salvation of
humanity… He began to speak to them about the
mysteries beyond the world and what would take
place at the end. Often he did not appear as
himself, but he was found among them as a child.
IV) Gospel of Judas (Scene 1)
… Judas [said] to him, “I know who you are and
where you have come from. You are from the
immortal realm of Barbelo. And I am not worthy
to utter the name of the one who has sent you.”
Knowing that Judas was reflecting on something
that was exalted, Jesus said to him, “Step away
from the others and I shall tell you the mysteries
of the kingdom. It is possible for you to reach it,
but you will grieve a great deal. For someone
else will replace you, in order that the twelve
[disciples] may again come to completion with
their god.”
IV) Gospel of Judas (Scene 3)
Judas said, “Master, as you have listened to all of
them, now also listen to me. For I have seen a
great vision.” When Jesus heard this, he laughed
and said to him, “You thirteenth spirit, why do you
try so hard? But speak up, and I shall bear with
you.”
Jesus said, "[Come], that I may teach you about
[secrets] no person [has] ever seen. For there
exists a great and boundless realm, whose extent
no generation of angels has seen, [in which] there
is [a] great invisible [Spirit],…"
IV) Gospel of Judas (crucial part)
Judas said to Jesus, "Look, what will those who
have been baptized in your name do?" Jesus said,
"Truly [I] say to you, this baptism […] my name
[ca. 9 lines missing]
to me. Truly [I] say to you, Judas, [those who] offer
sacrifices to Saklas […] God
[3 lines missing]
everything that is evil. But you will exceed all of
them. For you will sacrifice the man that
clothes me."
IV) Gospel of Judas
Conclusion of the Text:
[ . . . ] Their high priests murmured because [he]
had gone into the guest room for his prayer. But
some scribes were there watching carefully in
order to arrest him during the prayer, for they
were afraid of the people, since he was regarded
by all as a prophet.
They approached Judas and said to him, “What are
you doing here? You are Jesus’ disciple.”
Judas answered them as they wished. And he
received some money and handed him over to
them.
The Gospel of Judas
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
About early Gnosticism:
About Jesus and his apostles:
We learn a little more, recovering texts of previously
lost ancient writings (albeit often very fragmentary);
but nothing really new or different.
They mostly confirm Irenaeus' reports about their
contents, and why the early Church rejected them.
We learn nothing historically about the 1st Century.
About Early Christianity:
We learn more about the beliefs that some groups,
in the centuries after Jesus, began developing.
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
So why all the fuss? Good question!
Modern anti-Christian bias?
Selling more books and magazines?
Learn about these texts
Learn to ask intelligent questions
But beware the "hype"!
So you'll be better informed about such issues,
and not as susceptible to wild or false claims!
P.S. Don’t forget to read the BIBLE
even more than the non-canonical books!
V) What Can These Texts Teach Us?
What should we teach others about all this?
What should we , as Catholic Religious Educators,
teach our children, RCIA Candidates, and others?
1) Criteria for Canonicity:
WHY the Four Gospels were included, but others not?
2) Existence of MANY OTHER ancient religious books,
not included in either the OT or NT:
WHEN / WHERE they come from, in time & theology?
3) Differences between Christianity & Gnosticism:
Xnty: Jesus as fully human and fully divine!
Xnty: world/body/matter as both GOOD and sinful
Vs. Gnost: DUALISTIC; the WORLD mostly EVIL
Bibliography
W. Schneemelcher, ed. New Testament Apocrypha.
2 vols. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1991-92.
J.K. Elliott, ed. The Apocryphal New Testament.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
H. Koester. Ancient Christian Gospels. Harrisburg,
PA: Trinity Press International, 1990.
R.J. Miller, ed. The Complete Gospels: Annotated
Scholars Version. Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press,
1992.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com
http://wesley.nnu.edu/biblical_studies/noncanon/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/
X) Gospel of Philip
From
Nag Hammadi (Codex II,3) – Valentinian
loosely compiled sayings of Jesus; mostly on life
& death
Two
texts referring to Mary Magdalene:
(mentioned in the daVinci Code)
1) "There were three who always walked with the
Lord: Mary, his mother, and her sister, and
Magdalene, the one who was called his
companion. His sister and his mother and his
companion were each a Mary."
(59.6b-11a; J. Robinson, NHL, p. 145)
Gospel of Philip: Ref. to M.Mag.
2) As for the Wisdom who is called "the barren," she is the
mother [of the] angels.
And the companion of the [. . .] Mary Magdalene.
[. . . loved] her more than [all] the disciples [and used to]
kiss her [often] on her [. . .]. The rest of [the disciples . . . //
. . .].
They said to him, "Why do you love her more than all of
us?" The Savior answered and said to them, "Why do I
not love you like her?
When a blind man and one who
sees are both together in darkness, they are no
different from one another. When the light comes, then
he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will
remain in darkness." (63.30b-64.9; J. Robinson, NHL, p. 145)
Note: The online copy does not indicate all the lacunae!
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
PB 8502; discovered 1896; not publ. until 1955!
Pages 1-6 (ch. 1-3) and 11-14 (ch. 6-7) are lost!
Ch. 5: But they were grieved. They wept greatly,
saying, “How shall we go to the Gentiles and preach
the gospel of the Kingdom of the Son of Man? If they
did not spare Him, how will they spare us?”
Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her
brethren, “Do not weep and do not grieve nor be
irresolute, for His grace will be entirely with you and
will protect you. But rather, let us praise His greatness,
for He has prepared us and made us into Men.”
When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the
Good, and they began to discuss the words of the
Savior.
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Peter said to Mary, “Sister we know that the Savior
loved you more than the rest of woman. Tell us the
words of the Savior which you remember which you
know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.”
Mary answered and said, “What is hidden from you I
will proclaim to you.” And she began to speak to them
these words: “I,” she said, “I saw the Lord in a vision
and I said to Him, ‘Lord I saw you today in a vision.’ He
answered and said to me, ‘Blessed are you that you did
not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is
there is the treasure.’ I said to Him, ‘Lord, how does he
who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through
the spirit?’ The Savior answered and said, ‘He does not
see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the
mind that is between the two that is what sees the
vision and it is . . . [pages 11-14 missing]
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Ch. 9: When Mary had said this, she fell silent, since it
was to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.
But Andrew answered and said to the brethren, “Say
what you wish to say about what she has said. I at least
do not believe that the Savior said this. For certainly
these teachings are strange ideas.”
Peter answered and spoke concerning these same
things. He questioned them about the Savior: “Did He
really speak privately with a woman and not openly to
us? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did He
prefer her to us?”
Then Mary wept and said to Peter, “My brother Peter,
what do you think? Do you think that I have thought this
up myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the
Savior?”
X) Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)
Levi answered and said to Peter,
“Peter you have always been hot tempered. Now I
see you contending against the woman like the
adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who
are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Savior
knows her very well. That is why He loved her more
than us. Rather let us be ashamed and put on the
perfect Man, and separate as He commanded us and
preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or
other law beyond what the Savior said.”
And when they heard this they began to go forth to
proclaim and to preach.
The Gospel according to Mary