Bobtail Nag
Did you know that early Church leaders excluded many gospels from the New Testament? Yes, it wasn't until the mid-1940s people learned that there were missing teachings from the Bible. The discovery of the Nag Hammadi library represents a pivotal moment in studying early Christianity and Gnostic (derived from the Greek word "gnosis," meaning "knowledge) texts. Located in Upper Egypt, near the town of Nag Hammadi, this remarkable collection of ancient manuscripts was unearthed in December 1945 by local farmers. Consequently, this accidental discovery would eventually revolutionize our understanding of early Christian thought and the diversity of beliefs that existed during that time.
Moreover, the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library offered scholars a rare glimpse into the diversity of early Christian thought. Before this discovery, early Church Fathers, who were critical of Gnostic beliefs, provided most of the details about Gnosticism.
The Nag Hammadi texts provided an authentic voice for Gnostic perspectives, allowing for a more balanced and nuanced understanding of early Christian theology and the complex debates that shaped its development.
Tom Tom
First and foremost, the Gospel of Thomas is one of the most famous texts in the Nag Hammadi library. Unlike the canonical (recognized) gospels, the Gospel of Thomas is a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, many emphasizing direct, personal insight into spiritual truths.
This gospel lacks a narrative structure and instead focuses on mystical teachings, encouraging readers to seek knowledge within themselves. In other words, Thomas frequently addresses the concept of overcoming duality—seeing beyond the apparent opposites of the material world (such as light and dark, life and death) to recognize the unity of all things in the divine.
Rise & Shine
Another crucial text is the Gospel of Philip, which offers a unique perspective on early Christian sacraments and the nature of Christ. Likewise, this gospel is particularly notable for its discussions on the concepts of marriage and the mystical union of male and female. It also explores themes of resurrection and the spiritual nature of Jesus, reflecting the Gnostic belief in the importance of inner spiritual knowledge.
To clarify, The Gospel of Philip suggests that resurrection is not merely a future event but a present, ongoing experience. It teaches that resurrection occurs within the individual when they attain spiritual enlightenment or gnosis. This understanding aligns with the Gnostic belief that knowledge and awareness of one's true, divine nature lead to spiritual rebirth. Resurrection, in this context, is about awakening from spiritual death—ignorance and error—to a new life of spiritual understanding.
Tell It!
In addition, the Gospel of Truth is another significant text discovered in the Nag Hammadi library. Unlike the other gospels, it is more of a theological essay, offering a profound meditation on the nature of salvation and the role of Christ as a revealer of divine knowledge. The text presents a Gnostic understanding of the world, highlighting ignorance and error as the primary obstacles to spiritual enlightenment. The Gospel of Truth emphasizes the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of understanding one's true spiritual nature.
Moreover, the Gospel of the Egyptians and Judas are other notable texts found within the Nag Hammadi collection. The Gospel of the Egyptians provides insight into the creation myth and cosmology of Gnostic beliefs. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Judas presents a controversial perspective on the figure of Judas Iscariot, suggesting that his betrayal of Jesus was part of a divine plan.
There is always more
Lastly, the Gospel of Mary, although not entirely complete because the first six pages are missing, as well as pages 11 - 14, is a crucial text that sheds light on the role of Mary Magdalene in early Christian thought. As a result, this gospel shows Mary as a prominent disciple who receives special teachings from Jesus, challenging the traditional patriarchal (male) structure of early Christian communities. The Gospel of Mary emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge and the Soul's inner journey, aligning with Gnostic themes of self-discovery and enlightenment. Its portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a central figure in transmitting spiritual wisdom has created significant interest and controversy among scholars.
Below, I will provide you with page seven of Mary Magdalene's gospel and let you decide if your Catholic education aligns with Mary's interpretation of Jesus' teachings. To be clear, this is a fundamental practice of a gnostic view versus a more traditional belief in monotheism. The predominant view of Christianity involves a belief in one God, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, salvation through faith in Him, the Authority of the Bible, the role of the Church, and ethical teachings.
Living in a Material World
In a moment of reflection, the disciples sought guidance from the Saviour, asking, "Teach us about the material world. Will it last forever, or is everything impermanent?" In response, the Saviour illuminated a profound truth, stating that every created form and natural entity exists in an intricate web of interdependence. Importantly, this interconnected existence is temporary, as everything eventually dissolves back into its roots. This process, he explained, is the way of nature—where everything ultimately decomposes back into its elemental essence. The Saviour's words were a call to deeper understanding, urging, "Those who have ears, let them hear."
As the conversation deepened, Peter voiced another concern, asking, "While you are explaining everything to us, tell us one more thing: What is the sin of the world?" The Saviour's answer challenged conventional thought by declaring, "There is no such thing as sin; you only make it appear when you act according to the habits of your adulterated nature." He explained that what people perceive as sin manifests through actions driven by a distorted nature rather than an actual, inherent evil. Additionally, this distortion is why the Good has come into their midst, to seek out and restore the true nature within everyone, bringing it back to its original, pure state.
Enlightenment
Furthermore, the Saviour warned of the dangers that lie within the human heart, saying, "This is what sickens and destroys you: it is your love for the things that deceive you." He cautioned that misplaced affections, particularly for deceptive things, are what truly lead to suffering and destruction. With a final urging for discernment, he concluded, "Those who have ears, let them hear. Whoever can understand, let them understand!" The Saviour's teachings serve as a timeless reminder to seek the truth within and to be wary of the illusions that lead us astray.
Blinded by the Light
What does Jesus mean by this? "it is your love for the "things" that deceive you." He cautioned that misplaced affections, particularly for deceptive things, are what truly lead to suffering and destruction".
In my interpretation, when Jesus says, "It is your love for the things that deceive you," he highlights an important spiritual and moral insight. He warns that the attachments and affection people develop for things outside themselves are ultimately illusory or false and can lead to suffering and destruction. These "things" can include material possessions, superficial pleasures, power, deities, or anything that distracts individuals from understanding their true divinity.
Jesus emphasizes that the love or desire for these deceptive things—those that appear fulfilling or valuable but are empty or misleading—can cloud one's judgment and lead to negative consequences. Such attachments can divert people from pursuing genuine, lasting values like spiritual truth, compassion, and inner peace. Essentially, he is cautioning against the danger of placing one's love and trust in outside things that do not lead to true fulfillment or personal growth but instead lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction, emptiness, or fear.
Read it, and weep
I encourage you to read Mary's whole gospel and will include this last piece for perspective. Then Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that you are greatly loved by the Saviour, more than any other woman. Tell us those words of His that you remember, the things which you know and we don't, the teachings we never heard."
Mary spoke, liberated from the realm of the third Authority; the Soul continued and came face to face with the fourth, the Authority of Wrath.
This took on seven fearful manifestations. The first was everything obscured; the second was craving; the third, ignorance, the fourth, the longing for oblivion; the fifth, enslavement to the demands of the body, the sixth was foolish worldly wisdom, the seventh, the hot-tempered certainty of anger.
These formed the seven-fold Authority of Wrath, which interrogated the Soul, demanding: "Where do you come from, murderer? And, where do you think you're going, deserter?"
The Soul responded: "It is what dominated me that has been vanquished, and what was steering me that has been overcome. It's my craving that has come to an end and my ignorance that has died."
Souls desire
Finally, in March of 2024, the Pope was asked where "bad souls" go: "They are not punished. Those who repent obtain God's forgiveness and take their place among the ranks of those who contemplate him, but those who do not repent and cannot be forgiven disappear. A hell doesn't exist; the disappearance of sinning souls exists."
