"Lost Gospels"
Every so often, headlines resurface about "lost gospels' or "hidden books of the Bible." These usually refer to ancient writings like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, or other Gnostic texts discovered in collections such as the Nag Hammadi library.
Why Weren't They Included?
The early church knew of many writings that claimed to speak about Jesus. But most of these texts arose well after the apostolic era, often in the second or third century. They carried teachings that diverged from the heart of the gospel- denying Christ's true humanity, restricting salvation to a secret few, or presenting a radically different picture of God.
In contrast, the writings that became the New Testament were recognized because they:
Gnostic Alternatives
Many of the "lost gospels" come from Gnostic movements, which taught that salvation comes through secret knowledge (gnosis) rather than through God's grace in Christ. These texts often presented Jesus as a revealer of hidden wisdom, rather than the crucified and risen Lord who brings redemption for the whole world.
Why This Matters
The church did not hide these texts out of fear; it set them aside because they did not communicate the life-giving gospel. By recognizing the canon of Scripture, the early church affirmed that the Word of God is not secret knowledge for a few, but good news for all.
Why Weren't They Included?
The early church knew of many writings that claimed to speak about Jesus. But most of these texts arose well after the apostolic era, often in the second or third century. They carried teachings that diverged from the heart of the gospel- denying Christ's true humanity, restricting salvation to a secret few, or presenting a radically different picture of God.
In contrast, the writings that became the New Testament were recognized because they:
- were connected to the apostles and the earliest witnesses of Jesus
- were widely received and read in the churches
- they bore consistent witness to the gospel of Christ crucified and risen
Gnostic Alternatives
Many of the "lost gospels" come from Gnostic movements, which taught that salvation comes through secret knowledge (gnosis) rather than through God's grace in Christ. These texts often presented Jesus as a revealer of hidden wisdom, rather than the crucified and risen Lord who brings redemption for the whole world.
Why This Matters
The church did not hide these texts out of fear; it set them aside because they did not communicate the life-giving gospel. By recognizing the canon of Scripture, the early church affirmed that the Word of God is not secret knowledge for a few, but good news for all.
