What do you think of this scripture from the Gnostic Gospels . .?

Question

Simon Peter said to them (the disciples) Let mary leave us, for women are not worthy of Life.
Jesus said, I myself shall lead her, in order to make her male; so that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ? Who really were the Apostles of Jesus. We know from study that the men were always cowering in the shadows when the going got tough, only the women stayed with him and were willing to give up their lives.

My referrence is from the Gnostic Gospels found at Naj Hammadi. Author Elaine Pagels. This shows the general attitude men and the founders of the christian church had towards women.

The catholic fathers decided what writings would go into the official bible as the word of god. They were imperfect mortal men. That doesn't mean other writings weren't inspired. They had their own agenda and decided accordingly.

Answer 1

There are numerous gospels of this type. The early church decided what they would put in the 'official ' bible. Thus the new testament is made to fit what they fancied as being correct. I am surprised they left this scripture out as the early church - especially Peter - were reputedly very anti - women, hence the vilification of Mary Magdeline. They invented the fact that she was a prostitute to vilify her name.

Answer 2

The Gnostic Gospels partially consist of long discourses. There is some truth to these discourses, and maybe some error, depending on your point of view.
Nevertheless, as I am quite openminded about all religious scriptures, I will say that this passage might have had a basis in fact, even if this is not a 'historical' verbatim dialogue. Perhaps Peter and the other disciples actually WERE jealous of the female disciples, they wondered why Jesus spent time with 'second class citizens.' They would have seen women as inferior to men, and Jesus' attitude would have astounded them. In the canonical [Official New Testament] Gospels, Mary Magdalene, Salome, etc. are indeed found going to Jesus' tomb, while the male disciples were too afraid to go.
I think this illustrates perfect the inclusive nature of faith, people are not turned away on the grounds of being 'unworthy.' It's the heart that counts, and even after Peter's denial of Jesus, he was still considered a pillar of the Church. Alleluia!
Peace
LB

Answer 3

i've got examine many of the Apocryphal Gospels and in basic terms a number of the Gnostic's. The Apocrypha have been written in previous Testaments cases and Apocrypha actually skill "Hidden" through fact those books weren't prevalent, yet yet they did no longer throw them away, they hid them away. Hmm, i stumbled on that very thrilling. Why save some thing around no rely if it somewhat is thoroughly untrue. The Catholic Church actual included 7 of those books interior the Bible, (a million & 2 Maccabees's, Tobit, Sirach, information, Baruch). The Gnostics Gospels comprise some Greek mythology into their textual content textile and it somewhat is the reason they are seen beside the point. for people who might choose for to ascertain a number of those memories, a e book talked approximately as "the different Bible" is at Amazon and has many of the Apocryphal and Gnostics Gospels. .

Answer 4

Thank You for Your almighty thumbs down...Consider the source. Gnosticism means according to Webster's Colligiate Dictionary..."The Thought and practice of various cults of Late Christianity and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is Evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis....esoteric Knowledge of spiritual truth held by the ancient Gnostics to be essential to salvation....The Only knowledge a person has to have is that of Christ, there is no other way to Salvation for Christians. Matthew 7:13, Colossians 2:8

Gnostics hated women and it did waft into the churches as true doctrine. Most were from the Greeks and believed in Sapho.

Answer 5

Different land, different people, different society standards. I don't believe you can really use scripture that was written centuries ago as relevant to todays problems. At best you may glean some moral and ethical lessons. Oh people she clearly states she read it in the Gnostic Gospels. If your a learned Christian of any knowledge, even basic Catechism you should be aware that those are NOT included in the Bible. She is asking an intellectual argument.

Answer 6

Where on earth did you dig this up?
the canon scripture has nothing remotely resembling this.
The Gnostics were ancient Greeks and this culture was notorious for hating women. Greek mythology taught that women were a separate creation of the gods, made as a punishment for Promethius stealing fire from them. This culture hated women. The early Christian Church offered women equality and freedom. The Greek and Roman influences in the Church actually undid most of what Jesus did for women.
The Gnostics were not "true Christians" they were trying to meld their philosophy with the new faith. Paul wrote against their teachings in the book of Ephesians. And they are also mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Answer 7

remember, only those books that were hand picked by their long dead past leaders to fit their dogmatic preferences are considered the "word of god" by the flock. Anything outside of their canon of dogma is heresy, no matter how accurate or authentic it may be.

Other than that I think it says that God's ok with female to male sex changes.

Answer 8

Gnosticism is merely Hellenistic Pagan philosophy combined with Judeo-Christian symbolism and terminology...

It has little to do with what Christ actually taught...

Answer 9

not inspired of God, but some jewish inisght here- women were not counted when counting numbers of people. so the feeding of the 5,000 were men- but there may have been wives, children etc. could have easily been 10,000 or more! so to count her as a man, that is what he would have been saying.

Answer 10

I guess in Jesus's day, it was best to be a man.