The Secret Teachings of Jesus: Four Gnostic Gospels by Marvin Meyer (PDF)

Description

In December 1945, two Egyptian fellahin, digging for natural fertilizer in the Nile River valley unearthed a sealed storage jar. The jar proved to hold treasure of an unexpected sort: a collection of some fifty-two ancient manuscripts, most of which reflect the teachings of a mystical religious movement we call Gnosticism (from the Greek word gnosis, “knowledge”). The texts are also, with few exceptions, Christian documents, and thus they provide us with valuable new information about the character of the early church, and about the Gnostic Christians within the church.In this volume, Marvin W. Meyer has produced a new English translation for general readers of four of the most important and revealing of these early Christian texts — the Secret Book of James, the Gospel of Thomas, the Book of Thomas, and the Secret Book of John.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I love this book as it has truly expanded bible study taking it to the next level. My only problem is that Marvin Meyer refers to Jesus as the “Child of Humanity” (his decision given the author’s notes) instead of the more correct “SON OF MAN” as it is in Scripture. This makes it suspect that what else has he taken license with that might clarify instead of confuse?either way, if you are willing to get past these things and really press on with open mind, these books offer amazing insight in to how Jesus spoke at a much higher level to His disciples when in private and after His Ascension.

⭐Other than the writings of early Christians, there are no historical accounts of the life of Jesus. The Romans never wrote of him, never even documented his crucifixion. He would not exist in our present era if not for his early followers writing of him. When the New Testament of the Bible was created some 350 years after the crucifixion, some of these writings were excluded and hidden away by the Vatican, though written by followers of Jesus who are just as credible as those who wrote the books that made it into the Bible. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, this history could no longer remain hidden. For the most part the reading is a little dry, but for providing a fuller picture of the life of Jesus and what the early Christian Church (pre-Vatican) must have preached, it’s an important read.

⭐I decided to read the Gnostic Gospels based on the fact that the Catholic Church and the Pope in place, at the time, were the ones that removed them (i.e, The Gospel of Thomas). I have alwys known about these Gospels, but in all honestly I was happy to just read what the internet had to say. I thought all the missing Gospels would be included in this book, but was dissappointed to find out there were only 4 Gnostic Gospels included and I am still missing much more information. But this was a good starter for me.Some of them are hard to understand because it is basically some of Jesus’ sayings, without any more elaboration. I am aware that I will need to read and re-read this book and some others. But I consider it all worthy after all. Knowledge always requires an effort.

⭐Gnosticism is a mystical, esoteric religious movement that existed during the very early phase of Christianism. The discovery of 13 books containing 52 texts in the Nile River valley of Egypt in 1945 called Nag Hammadi opened the door for the history of early Christianism and the teachings of four Gnostic gospels called; the secret book of James, the gospel of Thomas, the book of Thomas and secret book of John. Biblical scholars estimate that these books belong to second century C.E, and the followers of this abstract faith were Gnostics and they were comprised of various groups. Some fostered spiritual values, others lead very ascetic life in solitude in wilderness, and most Gnostics followed traditional life engaging in an inner spiritual quest for God. They advocated a faith different from the early Christian church. They believed in a direct approach to finding God rather than believing in the concept of “Son of God” or a prophet or a spiritual healer. The conservative Christian leaders dismissed them as heretics and most of their books were either destroyed or modified or suppressed.In this book, the author, who is actively involved in the academic research of the history of Gnosticism, and the translation Nag Hammadi texts provide us with an English translation of the four Coptic texts; the secret book of James, the gospel of Thomas, the book of Thomas and secret book of John. The sayings of Jesus in these books are discussed, interpreted, and revised within the contexts of the history, culture and religion of that time. Many sayings were similar to kingdom sayings, proverbial utterances and parables of the New Testament. The author compares several parables from Gnostic gospels with those found in the canonical gospels. Examples include; the “parable of Palm shoot” (secret book of James 4:10-12), the “parable of the head of grain” (secret book of James 8:2), the “parable of wise fisher” (gospel of Thomas 8), etc. It is interesting to read as how these parables evolved over the years into the current King James Version of Bible. The fourth gospel, the secret book of John says very little about Jesus. This text appears to be of early Jewish literature that includes some basic concepts Christianism.The parable of the Jar of Flour (Gospel of Thomas 95) and the parable of Assassin (Gospel of Thomas 95) refer to the kingdom of God that is not found in New Testament or any other early Christian literature. Verse 103 makes a controversial statement about the parents of Jesus, and makes references to another name of Jesus in some Jewish traditions as Yeshu ben Pantera. In the book of Thomas, chapter 9, verse 1-7 that deals with conclusion of revelation, “one must escape the grim realities of incarnation and reincarnation” is related to the Upanishadic thought (Hindu scriptures). The secret book of John, chapter 2, verses 1-22 is related to the revelation of One; we find a classic statement of divine transcendence, formulated with terms of negation is in close agreement with the Upanishadic insistence of the Ultimate as “neti neti,” not this, not that. It is the invisible spirit, it is beyond deity, beyond perfection, beyond being, as the ground of all being, and it is wholly other or any other finite category. These factual statements reverberates the influence of Upanishads on early Jewish and Christian literature.In the secret book of James chapter 1, verses 7-14, Gnostic texts suggest various periods of time for resurrection and reappearance of Jesus as 545 days (ascension of Isaiah), and 12 years (Pistis Sophia, Book of Jeu). In the last chapter 16, verses 19-21 of the secret book of James, Jesus make an unorthodox request; “The Savior communicated these things to John for him to record and safeguard. He said to him, “Cursed is everyone who will trade these things for a present, for food, drink, clothes, or anyone else” (verse 19). “These things were communicated to John as a mystery and afterword the savior disappeared at once” (verse 20). “Then John went to other disciples and reported what the savior had told him.” (Verse 21)This is an excellent book for undergraduate students majoring in early Christian literature and the history of New Testament.1.

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⭐This was something I wanted to read or see a technique used for my studies. I liked what a read or viewed.

⭐Read and absorb, seek and you will discover your truth.

⭐It is complex, to be sure, but as one read these gospels it becomes clear why ignorance is promoted in many religious circles. I strongly suggest that this book finds its way to your library. As a student of religion, I strongly recommend this book.

⭐l enjoy reading books that supposedly were written about Jesus but for some reason didn’t make it into today’s Bible. I read it with an open mind, and occasionaly these reading cause me to do some research on the topic.

⭐Gnostic Teachings Of Christ . I just couldn’t put the book down read it in a day . Opened my eyes to a different view of the world . Straight to the point simple to read . For true seekers of light .

⭐I’m so happy i bought this book. Oh how i have been transformed by the information in this small book. A must for whoever is searching for truth.

⭐I bought this book for my partner he coul not put it down . Hes read it twice now. He said its awesome. Big secrets here that no one tells you

⭐Interesting

⭐livre anglophone relié rigide petit format ancien (1984) consacré à une nouvelle traduction de 4 textes apocryphes trouvés à Nag Hammadi;le livre secret de Jaquesl’évangile de Thomasle livre secret de Thomasle livre secret de Jeances textes gnostiques découverts en 1945 dont l’origine est discutée n’étaient auparavant connus que sous l’angle des théologiens les ayant discrédités et décrivent directement et sans altération les convictions de ces chrétiens primitifs du second siècle; même si de nombreux faits paraissent aberrants, certains des propos attribués à Jésus peuvent avoir une part de vérité; pas d’illustrations; ce petit livre est à lire par tous ceux qui s’intéressent au sujet

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