My initial view of the Gnostic Gospels dispels any notion that the resurrection of Jesus was an actual event, more of a mystical power struggle among Mary Magdalene and the apostles. The apostles may have been motivated by Mary's dreams or visions to profess their own witness of his rebirth, as Peter, leader of the Apostles and accordingly the first Pope, initially did not believe her, holding an orthodox, skeptical view like Doubting Thomas. Summarily, the witnessing of Jesus's resurrection became a holy mandate for the apostles, who took advantage of the authority this myth would bless them with. It took over 300 years for that authority to bloom, with the institution of the Church sanctioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine. Any alternative interpretations of the resurrection- likely more based on reality - were flushed out of the way, including the Gnostic one, which saw the resurrection as a personal revelation, endowed with inner power, not external. It also provided an Eastern interpretation of the Jesus myth, probably resulting from Thomas's journey to India. This was also deemed heresy by Orthodox literalists like Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons and influential writer. Holistic gospels that challenged the Orthodox ones were kept hidden for centuries because they risked being confiscated by the Church. These gospels include those of Thomas, Philip, Mary, the Gospel of Truth, the Gospel of the Egyptians, the secret book of James, The Apocalypse of Paul, the letter of Peter to Philip, and The Apocalypse of Peter (Pagels, xvi).
I am looking forward to reading more about the secrets of Christ, and why the Church found it advantageous to keep them hidden. My hypothesis is that they were a threat to the Church and its Authority because they were based on a Jesus that did not strike fear, awe, and wonder to its readers. I've read the New Testament and that was my initial reaction to the words of Jesus that were selected for instruction.
Bagels, Elaine. 1979. The Gnostic Gospels. Random House Inc: New York
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