Bible Secrets Revealed: The Forbidden Scriptures Lost to Time (S1, E3) | Full Episode

HISTORY・2 minutes read

Different versions of the Bible have varying numbers of books, with some considered apocryphal, like the Book of Enoch. The canonization process involved influential individuals deciding which books to include, leading to the exclusion of texts considered dangerous to mainstream Christianity.

Insights

  • The Bible's canonization involved influential figures deciding which books were divinely inspired, leading to different versions with varying numbers of books, such as 66 in most Protestant Bibles and 73 in the Catholic Bible, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's Bible contains 81 books.
  • Gnostic texts, like the Gnostic Gospels, were considered heretical by Archbishop Athanasius in 367 AD due to their opposition to the centralized Catholic Church, their teachings contradicting mainstream Christianity, and their emphasis on a direct connection to God without intermediaries like priests or churches.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the apocrypha in the Bible?

    The apocrypha refers to books not accepted into the official canon of the Bible, containing hidden teachings and stories. These texts were not considered divinely inspired by influential individuals during the process of canonization, leading to their exclusion from most versions of the Bible. Despite not being part of the official canon, the apocryphal books provide valuable insights into ancient beliefs and practices, shedding light on different interpretations of religious teachings.

  • Why were the Gnostic Gospels considered heretical?

    The Gnostic Gospels were deemed heretical by Archbishop Athanasius in 367 AD due to their teachings conflicting with mainstream Christianity and opposing the centralized Catholic Church. These texts presented a different interpretation of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing direct connection to God without the need for intermediaries like priests or churches. The Gnostic Gospels were seen as a threat to the established religious authority, leading to their destruction and severe punishment for anyone reading them.

  • Who were the Nephilim mentioned in the Book of Enoch?

    The Nephilim were giant warriors in the Book of Enoch, offspring of watchers (angelic beings) and mortal women. These beings rebelled against God, leading to their destruction in the Great Flood. The Nephilim are depicted as powerful and destructive figures in ancient texts, symbolizing the consequences of divine beings interacting with humans and the ensuing chaos that follows.

  • What is the role of Asherah in ancient Israelite worship?

    Asherah, mentioned more than 40 times in the Old Testament, was believed to be the wife of God, forming a divine couple representing the divine feminine and masculine forces. Worship of Asherah by ancient Israelites in the 7th century BC is described in the Book of Jeremiah, where she is referred to as the queen of heaven. Associated with symbols like trees and serpents, Asherah's presence in ancient religious practices suggests a complex understanding of divinity that included both male and female aspects.

  • How did the Gnostic interpretation of God differ from traditional views?

    The Gnostic Gospels suggest a male and female God ruling together in heaven, challenging the traditional portrayal of God in the Bible as solely male. This interpretation presents a more balanced and inclusive view of divinity, emphasizing the importance of both masculine and feminine aspects in the divine realm. While the Bible uniquely portrays God as sexless, the Gnostic texts offer a different perspective on the nature of God, highlighting the presence of both male and female energies in the divine hierarchy.

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Summary

00:00

"History of Bible Canonization and Gnostic Gospels"

  • Different versions of the Bible exist, with varying numbers of books, such as 66 in most Protestant Bibles, 73 in the Catholic Bible, and 81 in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's Bible.
  • The process of canonization of the Bible involved influential individuals determining which books were divinely inspired and should be included.
  • The apocrypha, meaning "hidden things," refers to books not accepted into the official canon of the Bible, with more apocryphal books existing than those included in the canons.
  • The Book of Enoch, considered controversial, was removed from the Hebrew Bible before the fourth century due to its bizarre contents about giants and watchers.
  • The Nephilim, offspring of watchers and mortal women in the Book of Enoch, were giant warriors who rebelled against God, leading to their destruction in the Great Flood.
  • The Gnostics, followers of Jesus, believed in secret knowledge beyond the New Testament Gospels, leading to the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels at Nag Hammadi.
  • Gnostic texts were declared heresy by Archbishop Athanasius in 367 AD, leading to their destruction and anyone reading them facing severe punishment.
  • The Gnostic Gospels were considered dangerous due to their opposition to the centralized Catholic Church and their teachings that contradicted mainstream Christianity.
  • The Gnostics believed in a different interpretation of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing direct connection to God without the need for intermediaries like priests or churches.
  • The process of determining the Bible's canon was politically charged, with influential individuals deciding which books to include based on their agendas, leading to the exclusion of certain texts.

17:11

"Gnostic Gospels Challenge Church's Foundation"

  • Bishops felt the Gospels threatened the church's foundation.
  • Gnostic groups dismissed sacraments like baptism and communion.
  • The Gospel of Thomas contains teachings of Jesus, not narratives.
  • Gospel of Thomas differs from the Gospels in its portrayal of Jesus.
  • Some believed Jesus' teachings were influenced by Buddhism.
  • The Gospel of Mary Magdalene portrays Jesus' relationship with her.
  • Mary Magdalene is depicted as receiving special secrets from Jesus.
  • The Gospel of Mary Magdalene emphasizes Mary's authority among the apostles.
  • The Testimony of Truth questions the church's suppression of knowledge.
  • The Life of Adam and Eve provides details on Adam and Eve's post-Eden life.

33:51

"Asherah: Ancient Goddess in Old Testament"

  • Asherah is mentioned more than 40 times in the Old Testament, with the Book of Jeremiah describing her as the queen of heaven, indicating worship by ancient Israelites in the 7th century BC.
  • Asherah was believed to be the wife of God, forming a divine couple representing the divine feminine and masculine, creating the ultimate creator force.
  • Asherah was associated with symbols like trees and serpents, leading some scholars to suggest that the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden reflects an ancient goddess myth.
  • The Bible condemns idolatry, emphasizing the worship of one God taught by Moses, while rejecting the worship of other gods.
  • The Bible uniquely portrays God as sexless, distinct from other ancient religions where God had a consort, despite the use of male pronouns for God.
  • The Gnostic Gospels suggest a male and female God ruling together in heaven, challenging the traditional portrayal of God in the Bible as solely male.
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