0
When Emperor Constantine came to power he granted the Christian Church state privileges and patronage, but this was only to apply to the Catholic-Orthodox branch of Christianity. While he ensured the return of any Church property to this branch of Christianity, he permitted the property of the Gnostic branch to remain expropriated. throughout the fourth century, the Gnostics were treated as heretics and persecuted, along with the pagans.
When Emperor Theodosius declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE, ha added that this was Christianity "as preached by the bishops of Rome and Alexandria," thus outlawing the Arian Church and the Gnostics sects. The bishops led Christian mobs in burning all publications, some extremely ancient, that did not further the objectives of the official Church. So, not only were the pagan books burnt and destroyed, so also were the sacred texts of the Gnostics. Some Gnostic gospels and other texts were hidden to avoid destruction, including the library at Nag Hammadi in Egypt, where the extremely dry air has allowed the Gnostic gospels to be preserved up to their twentieth-century discovery.
The Gnostic gospels were banned and then almost destroyed out of intolerance, bigotry and prejudice.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The Gnostic Gospels were not banned but were not included in the final selection of texts that formed the New Testament of the Christian Bible. This decision was made by early church leaders due to theological differences and concerns about their authenticity and doctrinal teachings.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do you believe in the Gnostic Gospels?
A:I believe that the Gnostic gospels are no more or less true than the gospels that were accepted by the dominant brach of Christianity, becoming part of what we now know as the New Testament. The incompatibility between the Gnostic gospels and the form of Christian teaching in the 'Catholic-Orthodox' Church inevitably meant that the Gnostic gospels would be banned, along with the Gnostic Churches.
Where were the banned gnostic gospels found?
The banned Gnostic Gospels were found in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945. These ancient texts include the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Judas, among others, providing alternative accounts of Jesus' teachings and early Christian beliefs.
Which of the four gospels are the gnostic gospels?
None of the 4 Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - are part of the 52 ancient texts written in circa 2th to the 4th centuries A.D.. These gnostic writings are part of the New Testament 'apocrypha.'
What is the gospel of Mary magdalene?
It is one of many Gnostic gospels, which are false gospels produced by people who were Gnostics, an early religious cult. See the Related Link below.
What were the 4 Gospels based on?
The 4 gosples are based onJesus birthJesus child hood and adult hoodlast supperjesus deathJesus resurectionJuduses deaththe 45,678 diciplespaul and saulhow the 45,678 diciples witnessed to others
Are there Gospels which are not in the New Testament?
Yes there are ones like the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary. These are known as Gnostic Gospels. See link provided below for more detailed information.
What was the writing system of Christianity?
The New Testament was originally written in Greek although there are older Gnostic Gospels written in Coptic (Egyptian).
What does the Gnostic Bible and other ancient Gospels say about Catholics?
They don't say anything about Catholics, because there was no Catholic church as such at the time.
Which religion book is the true word of god?
The Bible. It says specifically that it is the word of God. Just make sure it actually is the bible, watch out for the gnostic gospels.
Was St Andrew a Gnostic?
St. Andrew (brother of Simon Peter) was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus none of whom were gnostics. Scholars generally date the gnostic gopels to the early-mid 2nd century, long after Jesus and the apostles (including St. Andrew) were dead. The gnostic gospels (e.g., gospel of Thomas, etc.) were written by others over a century later.
What book has the story about Mary Magdalene?
The Gospel of Mary was attributed to Mary Magdalene, but is really a Gnostic gospel, probably written in the second century.
Did Judas Iscariot write anything and were his writings in the Bible?
A Gospel of Judas Iscariot appears to have been in use among the Cainites, an early Gnostic sect. The Gospel was also mentioned by Irenaeus. However, it should be remembered that all the gospels, even those now in the Bible, were not really written by the disciples to whom they were attributed - so Judas Iscariot did not really write anything. One branch of Christianity came to dominate and was the branch that selected the gospels that it would include in its Bible. With the possible exception of John's Gospel, it did not include any Gnostic gospels.
