Within the development of the early church, then, as now, even sincere Christians did not believe the same. Yet as the church developed with a growing number of those called bishops, they were able to claim by political power and self-declared authority that there need not be conflict or difference of beliefs for Christians. Long before Constantine, in the second century, a hundred years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, what was first called the "apostolic church" declared boldy that only their beliefs were the eternal and the unquestionable spiritual truths. There was no need to question or differ from what they believed and taught about Jesus. Their message was: Only their knowledge (gnosis) of Jesus and God was correct !
Yet to insist that one's church or its beliefs (as many still do today) are the only way to know God becomes, not faith, but arrogant belief, and the deeper power and love of Christ gets lost. Thus, their way of faith, not some of their differing beliefs, incredibly, raise faith as a loving relationship to him. To be clear, the Gnostics do not have all the answers, and so their inspiration for those of us who believe in Jesus, is that we should identify ourselves as more as seekers because that is how we find our vital relationship with both truth and God. Thus directly and indirectly, this is what the Gnostics have to offer. Faith is foremost a living trust in a God who loves us, and the Gnostic Gospels give support to those who believe faith, not immovable beliefs, was the message of Jesus.
Very early in Christianity, the Gnostics begged to differ about the definition or meaning of faith because they never said truth was a closed-door or issue. As will be seen, they had some different beliefs and myths but never do they say that what they believed was final, unquestionable, and immovable truth. In this sense, they were ahead of the times (at least for those today who believe theological diversity is fair). Thus they become viable as an interesting new and different way to believe in Jesus. In fact, their way of faith is very much the way many Christians believe today yet aren't able to express it because that is not how we were told to believe. Indeed, instead of a ancient "theology" that can neverchange, their message is quite relevant and modern as this way supports a new kind of freedom in how we believe.
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Totally shocking is that those called Gnostic were, at least, at first, members of the church. In their writings, bishops of the church wail against their participation, and yet, almost unbelievably, a Gnostic leader was almost elected Pope after the death of Hyginus in 143 C.E. (that might have changed things). So effective was the cry "heretics," before the Gnostic Gospels were discovered in recent times, many believed they were not even Christians.
Now these gospels, attributed to disciples as those in the Bible, show that they believed in Jesus, strongly, as Lord and Savior, and that they are filled with many beautiful expressions of faith in Christ. This was not expected, but the 1945 discovery of these other new gospels brings new facts that clarify that these gospels were not just alternatives to the biblical gospels. Astonishing, they support the faith message found in them as well. The sad fact is that this church said they should not even be read because they did not totally support the proper beliefs that were found exclusively in only four gospels. All others contained no "truth," and so they were officially condemned. Space limits but here a few examples from these condemned gospels.
The Gospel of Thomas, verse 77 states: "Jesus said, It is I who am the light which is above them all. From me did the all come forth. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Life up a stone and you will find me there."
Verse 16 of the Gospel of Truth says, referring to Jesus, "... the one who is addressed as the Savior, that being the work he is to preform for the redemption of those who are ignorant of the Father, while in the name of the gospel is the proclamation of hope, being discovered by those who search for him."
The Gospel of Mary says in Verse 8: "The blessed one said, Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves. For the Son of Man is within you. Follow after him! Those who seek will find him."
Hopefully, a few are surprised at the depth and faithfulness of these verses, which only scratches the surface!
Nevertheless, earlier it was mentioned that these gospels contain verses that contradicted beliefs that the church was saying could not be challenged because only the apostles knew the "truth." Well, when we listen to other apostles than those "chosen" by the the church, the fact is there are some major conflicts about beliefs. Some specific examples are: The Gospel of Philip raises questions about the virgin birth. (Is this a requirement for faith?) The Gospel of Truth and several others argue for a spiritual resurrection. In contrast, a church father wrote, "Anyone who denies the resurrection of the flesh is a heretic, not a Christian" (a clear example of the early demand for the necessary or correct belief). The Gospel of Mary Magdalene makes it clear that even all the disciples did not agree (she argues boldly with Peter) and gives support that women should be priest.
These gospels do something dramatic and transforming for faith. It becomes obvious that not all the disciples believed the same, yet the "ideal" that Christianity was one voice has been the norm for centuries. Of course, that is what Constantine wanted for "harmony" in his Empire, but now these new gospels take us back to a much earlier time in the development of Christianity. They make us rethink the message of Jesus. These gospels allow us to go back beyond the rule of this church and listen to Jesus in a new and different way. They call for a more spiritual form of faith.
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