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I have stumbled across some thing called the Didache recently, according to what I have read many researches claim it predates any of the surviving cannon scriptures. In my personal opinion it could very well be the original Gospel, but for reasons unknown was left out of the Bible.
There are also things such as the dead sea scrolls, and Gnostic gospels which have been found.
The Gospel of Thomas is also some thing I think could have been the original gospel.
Was it OK for people to chose what went into the cannon and to exclude other things simply because they didn't like or understand them?
If the process of the Bible coming to exists was a selective process then this is proof that it isn't perfect in any way because people organized man made works which where inspired by god, yet can still contain imperfections.
Didache was not ascribed to any person and seemed to be a compendium of teachings rather than direct instructions from one of the people or types of people (original witnesses) that qualified their writings as "scripture." Like Shepherd of Hemas, it might have been very useful and or much appreciated in the church, but the standard for inclusion in canon was at best not clearly met by these documents.
Didache was not ascribed to any person and seemed to be a compendium of teachings rather than direct instructions from one of the people or types of people (original witnesses) that qualified their writings as "scripture." Like Shepherd of Hemas, it might have been very useful and or much appreciated in the church, but the standard for inclusion in canon was at best not clearly met by these documents.
Yet who authorized they include some things while leaving out others that could have proved beneficial?
Can any one give us a brief outline of how it was canonized and by whom, if the names of the people involved are known please include that?
I get the distinct feeling that the cannon we have today was the result of one early Christian sect silencing all the others which disagreed with them. A prime example are how they treated the Gnostics. Their where also early Christians who wanted to keep to Jewish traditions and early Christians who didn't their was a huge divide back then, and in some ways that division has survived today. I believe that while Christianity might have been born from Judaism that Judaism was not what influenced it the most, when the concept of the New covenant opened up the possibility of non-Jews being included in gods promises to Israel, it created an atmosphere where Pagans could become Christian, I believe that when people of various cultures began to mingle it had a profound impact on the evolution of Christianity and it shaped the doctrines which exists in mainstream Christianity today. I strongly believe that of the possible things which might have heavily influenced the theological concepts in Christianity that Zoroastrianism is one of them. A few of the theological concepts found lacking in Judaism which are in Christianity can find similarities with Zoroastrianism instead, one such example being the dualism concept of a supreme good vs a supreme evil. Their is also mention of Magi in Christian scripture perhaps a reference to members of the Zoroastrianist faith, perhaps a secret hint at the actually roots of Christianity. The Magi used astrology to locate Jesus, some thing a god fearing Jew would not have done.
At some point, it becomes evident to most God-seekers that 'God is in control', ... regardless of what people think or say. That point varies by individual perception, not by God's varying power or sovereign authority.
Ironically, some conclude that God initially 'inspired' scripture, but, was somehow unable to keep it 'inspired'. In contrast, the supernatural convergence of thought and truth in scripture along with accurately fulfilled prophecy, over thousands of years, simply exceeds the otherwise demonstrated power and ability of mankind.
At some point, it becomes evident to most God-seekers that 'God is in control', ... regardless of what people think or say. That point varies by individual perception, not by God's varying power or sovereign authority.
Ironically, some conclude that God initially 'inspired' scripture, but, was somehow unable to keep it 'inspired'. In contrast, the supernatural convergence of thought and truth in scripture along with accurately fulfilled prophecy, over thousands of years, simply exceeds the otherwise demonstrated power and ability of mankind.
God wasn't "unable" to keep it perfect. God allows for the written word to be subject to human error, because what is most important is not scripture it's self but a personal relationship with god, it does not matter if your Mormon, Jew, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic or what ever the only thing that matters is that we seek spiritual enlightenment and wisdom, that we seek out a close relationship with God and walk with God, that we do our best moving forward in that walk.
The "Law" of God exists in a perfect form but not on words written in paper, in fact it isn't even words though it is Gods word. The "Law" is preserved by God in our hearts, in the hearts of mankind, we each have the potential to be good or bad, to identify what we feel lead of God to believe is good or bad, we are blessed with discernment, it is a gift. We must search our feelings and look into our souls, with deep mediation and we will find the "Law" there, we will also find it's creator our God and his son.
Sure I have read the book `Gospel of Thomas` and the book has many similar quotes who are already in the other Gospels , but this book has a more of a sarcastic type quote and the heart favors of condemnation which would be alien to the character of Holy Spirit ..........So the book was put off by a quickening of Holy Spirit to these early Christians who canonized the scriptures we have today, ..............Just as if you go to Jesus and ask for understanding of these lost books which never got to the bible , Holy Spirit will quicken you to trash the books in your possession , as they will bring confusion in the spirit and will attract demons for error and confusion for truth in your spirit , as Holy Spirit will never quicken you from these lost books , but the lying false religious spirits of the world will give you ideas from these lost books .............So people can have intrigues into these lost books and call on strange gods to support the intrigues. or trash these books and keep to the bible and the true Living God through Lord Jesus , and only truth in wholeness in understanding on the table before the Lord ......
I have stumbled across some thing called the Didache recently, according to what I have read many researches claim it predates any of the surviving cannon scriptures. In my personal opinion it could very well be the original Gospel, but for reasons unknown was left out of the Bible.
There are also things such as the dead sea scrolls, and Gnostic gospels which have been found.
The Gospel of Thomas is also some thing I think could have been the original gospel.
Was it OK for people to chose what went into the cannon and to exclude other things simply because they didn't like or understand them?
If the process of the Bible coming to exists was a selective process then this is proof that it isn't perfect in any way because people organized man made works which where inspired by god, yet can still contain imperfections.
The Didache is a catechism of sorts, laying out the teachings of the early church fathers as a sort of standardization of belief. The date of authorship seems to be anywhere from mid 1st century to early 2nd century, depending upon who you believe.
Gnosticism was the result of the evolution of Docetist thought. which was essentially that Jesus only seemed to be human, and that his physical body was a phantasm. Docetism heresy occurred very early, and many scholars believe that the Gospel of John was written to counter Docetist thought.
Gnosticism was into the mystical non corporeal nature of Jesus. Off hand I dont recall an estimated date for the Gospel of Thomas. It may have been as early as the later Docetist period.
At some point, it becomes evident to most God-seekers that 'God is in control', ... regardless of what people think or say. That point varies by individual perception, not by God's varying power or sovereign authority.
Ironically, some conclude that God initially 'inspired' scripture, but, was somehow unable to keep it 'inspired'. In contrast, the supernatural convergence of thought and truth in scripture along with accurately fulfilled prophecy, over thousands of years, simply exceeds the otherwise demonstrated power and ability of mankind.
Somehow they do think their god is capable of taking care of it so they have to do it for him. Christians can rest assured that our God is more powerful than that and we can trust our God to give us His word His way.
More than 40 years ago I was studying Biblical courses at a Baptist college. I graduated with an English degree but took 18 hours in biblical studies. One course led me to do a research paper on the Essenes. This group of "separatists" from Judaism existed before Jesus was born. It was adamantly opposed to the Pharisees and what they believed was a corruption of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
More famously, was their writings about Jesus which pre-date His life, and which describe a "Teacher of Righteousness." Some biblical scholars have gone so far as to say that Jesus was certainly aware of their writings, that John the Baptist, with his ascetic living, probably was or had been an Essene, and that Jesus may very well have patterned His life after the "Teacher of Righteousness" described in those earlier writings.
Is it possible? Of course. And the Teacher of Righteousness was crucified, so it would provide an example for Jesus. There are many concepts within Christianity that either come directly from or are derived from some of the Essene Qumran writings.
Quote:
The Essenes are what we might best call an apocalyptic sect of Judaism. An apocalyptic sect is one that thinks of itself as, first of all, the true form of their religion. In fact, that's part of their terminology. Again, using the prophet Isaiah, they think of themselves as the righteous remnant ... the chosen ones ... the elect. But they're also standing over against the
mainstream ... most of Jewish life, and especially everything going on at Jerusalem. So they're sectarian. They're separatists. They're people who move away.
The basis for that understanding is their reading of Scripture. They interpret Scripture, especially the prophets, Isaiah, the Torah itself, to suggest that the course of Judaism is going through a profound change. "Far too many people are becoming worldly," they would have said. The end, as they understood it, of the present evil age is moving upon them inexorably. And they
want to be on the right side when it comes. In their understanding, there will come a day when the Lord revisits the Earth with power. And in the process establishes a new kingdom for Judaism. It will be like the kingdom of David and Solomon. A return to the golden age mentality. And this is part of that apocalyptic mind set.
The Essenes lived separate lives from the world, but offered humanity and kindness to all who wandered into their communities:
Quote:
The Essenes practiced hospitality regularly, and they had buildings set aside especially for that purpose. The way in which they healed the sick inside of these buildings--that is the origin for the existence of our
modern hospitals. Through them, hospitality became very far-reaching, because they learned very young to see the divine part of each person. And, thus, it was God who visited them in the guise of the individual, and they had to understand what He wanted to say to them or wanted from them. In this way, they were following the teaching of Toby and Abraham, who, in offering hospitality to men, had, in reality, been welcoming angels.
The point of study of the Essenes from a spiritual perspective is to remove the "exclusiveness" of the 66 books of the Bible from being the only source of God dealing with man. He has dealt with man for ages in different ways but with singular purpose.
It is also important to note that there is no conclusive evidence regarding the tie-in of Christianity with Essenic life. But the Essenes were a large sect. Philo wrote of more than 4000 living in and around Palestinian Syria, "in many cities of Judea and in many villages and grouped in great societies of many members."
(Essenes - New World Encyclopedia)
It's simply ludicrous to think Jesus wasn't aware of so many people living in opposition to the Sadducees and Pharisees Temple customs. The Essenes community school was called "Yahad" meaning oneness with God---certainly something that Jesus claimed in His own life (John 14:9b, "he that hath seen me, hath seen the Father,---").
And, as someone questioned earlier on this thread, with regard to the Nicene Council that selected the books of our Bible, it is entirely likely that many of the earliest writings weren't even available to them, seeing that many were not even found until the twentieth century.
So, spiritually, God not only has worked through man in various ways throughout history, He continues to do so. To discount anything that is not found in the 66 books, seems like an affront to the active presence of God.
Last edited by Wardendresden; 08-03-2013 at 10:08 AM..
Reason: formatting
Somehow they do think their god is capable of taking care of it so they have to do it for him. Christians can rest assured that our God is more powerful than that and we can trust our God to give us His word His way.
Where did God promise a book?
What did He promise?
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Essenes and the Qumran documents
