What are the non-canonical gospels?

Non-canonical gospels

• Gospel of Marcion (mid-2nd century)
• Gospel of Mani (3rd century)
• Gospel of Apelles (mid–late 2nd century)
• Gospel of Bardesanes (late 2nd–early 3rd century)
• Gospel of Basilides (mid-2nd century)
• Gospel of Thomas (2nd century; sayings gospel)

What do Gnostics believe about Jesus?

Jesus is identified by some Gnostics as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnōsis to the earth, while others adamantly denied that the supreme being came in the flesh, claiming Jesus to be merely a human who attained enlightenment through gnosis and taught his disciples to do the same.

Who is Jesus in Gnosticism?

Is Gnosticism a pagan?

Gnosticism from its origins constituted a rival religion to both Judaism and Christianity. There were indeed Jewish Gnostics, and a bewildering array of Christian Gnostic sects, but there were also pagan Gnostics. Gnosticism was both a tendency within other religions, and an eclectic but authentic religion in itself.

Are the Gnostic Gospels considered the inspired Word of God?

In fact, the Gnostic gospels were never seriously considered to be inspired, and the question of what books belonged in the New Testament (“canon”) was largely settled in the second century AD, long before the Council of Nicea in 325 AD or the existence of the Catholic Church as such.

Are the Coptic Gospels Gnostic?

While there may well be gnostic writings amongst the several dozen titles found so significantly near the site of Saint Pachomius’ archetypal monastery, the three Coptic Gospels in that collection are demonstrably not gnostic in content.

What is the gnostic bible?

The Gnostic Bible. A landmark work of scholarship and literary translation, The Gnostic Bible presents the most significant and beautiful sacred texts of gnostic mysticism. The gnostics were religious thinkers who believed that salvation is found through mystical knowledge and personal religious experience.

Is the Gospel of Thomas actually Gnostic?

It supports the argument that the Gospel of Thomas is Gnostic , since this was the period in which many so-called Christian Gnostic texts appear to have been written and circulated. Many of these texts share a characteristic idea: that self-knowledge is salvific.