The 'Lost' Books of the Bible

[Philip]

Came across this list and dating of all of the so-called "Lost" Gospel books.

https://carm.org/lost-books-overview

Notice an obvious problem with each of them? As to a one, they were written FAR after the living eyewitness era of the New Testament writers and observers.

And here is a great resource on each of these "lost" books, their contents, and why they are obviously unScriptural.

https://carm.org/lost-books

And here, in contrast, is a listing of the approximate dates of the New Testament writings: https://carm.org/when-were-gospels-written-and-by-whom

[thatkidakayoungguy]

Came across this list and dating of all of the so-called "Lost" Gospel books.

https://carm.org/lost-books-overview

Notice an obvious problem with each of them? As to a one, they were written FAR after the living eyewitness era of the New Testament writers and observers.

And here is a great resource on each of these "lost" books, their contents, and why they are obviously unScriptural.

https://carm.org/lost-books

And here, in contrast, is a listing of the approximate dates of the New Testament writings: https://carm.org/when-were-gospels-written-and-by-whom

The Gospel of Thomas mentioned young Jesus as bad.

[LittleHamster]

Some popes endorse St. Thomas, most notably "as a master of thought and a model of the right way to do theology" among other things ( https://thomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating- ... -st-thomas)

I looked at some of the 'supposed' teachings and they seem to have a totally different flavor compared to the NT gospels. Probably because they were written much later. They look a tad gnostic with a dash of mysticism perhaps. A few differences mentioned here -> https://carm.org/questions-about-the-gospel-of-thomas.

So what's the verdict about the Gospel ? Was it written by him? If so was his Gospel guided by the Holy Spirit ? If not, was there some kind of ulterior motive or sinister intent behind it or was it written by someone who genuinely believed what he wrote as being correct ?

[Philip]

There was a strict criteria the early church used for deciding the canon - read all aboutvit here:
viewtopic.php?p=228201#p228201

[PaulSacramento]

The process of canonization of the bible wasn't that complex.
They had a list of authoritative books and letters in circulation ( The council didn't make these books and letters authoritative, they already were) and what they did was agree on which ones were the "most" authoritative and they did that based on the traditions handed down over the centuries.
The GOT was always viewed as a "gnostic" writing and very few held it as authoritative, much less on par with the Gospels and the Epistles.

[LittleHamster]

Oops, I got my Thomas's mixed up (my first link was wrong one) but thanks for the replies. That was a interestingly nice read Philip. (!!!!)

......deciding the canon - read all aboutvit here:
viewtopic.php?p=228201#p228201

.....The GOT was always viewed as a "gnostic" writing and very few held it as authoritative, much less on par with the Gospels and the Epistles.

I recall somewhere that it was Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the GOT while visiting India. I can't recall what he said about it. I'm gonna have to investigate.

[Philip]

Read a critique of the Gospel of Thomas here: https://carm.org/does-the-gospel-of-tho ... -testament

And here: https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-of-Thomas.html

[RickD]

LittleCricetinae wrote:
I recall somewhere that it was Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the GOT while visiting India. I can't recall what he said about it. I'm gonna have to investigate.

The pope acknowledged GOT?

Winter is Coming.

[LittleHamster]

LittleCricetinae wrote:
I recall somewhere that it was Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the GOT while visiting India. I can't recall what he said about it. I'm gonna have to investigate.

The pope acknowledged GOT?

Winter is Coming.

I think he was acknowledging the Apostle Thomas rather than his gospel. Anyway, after reading some of the stuff, I don't think I'd include it in the New Testament either.

[RickD]

LittleCricetinae wrote:
I recall somewhere that it was Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the GOT while visiting India. I can't recall what he said about it. I'm gonna have to investigate.

The pope acknowledged GOT?

Winter is Coming.

I think he was acknowledging the Apostle Thomas rather than his gospel. Anyway, after reading some of the stuff, I don't think I'd include it in the New Testament either.

You know nothing, Jon Snow.

[LittleHamster]

LittleCricetinae wrote:
I recall somewhere that it was Pope John Paul II that acknowledged the GOT while visiting India. I can't recall what he said about it. I'm gonna have to investigate.

The pope acknowledged GOT?

Winter is Coming.

I think he was acknowledging the Apostle Thomas rather than his gospel. Anyway, after reading some of the stuff, I don't think I'd include it in the New Testament either.

You know nothing, Jon Snow.

"It doesn’t mean that Jon doesn’t know anything at all. It is a reminder to Jon to think better. To solve mysteries. To plan ahead and think long term. Jon takes lessons from this. His interactions and life with the Wildlings teach him humility and understanding. He finally comes to accept the Wildlings as ordinary people. " - https://www.quora.com/What-does-the-phr ... -Snow-mean

[RickD]

[LittleHamster]

Crikey....this one's got me stumped. Did Satan write this ?

14. Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves, and if you pray, you will be condemned, and if you give to charity, you will harm your spirits. "


This can't possibly be the Apostle Thomas. I reckon Cyril could be onto something:

Wikipedia .... "In the 4th century, Cyril of Jerusalem considered the author (of the Gospel of Thomas) (to be) a disciple of Mani who was also called Thomas.[72] Cyril stated: [73] Mani had three disciples: Thomas, Baddas and Hermas. 'Let no one read the Gospel according to Thomas. For he is not one of the twelve apostles but one of the three wicked disciples of Mani.' "