Gnostic Gospels Gospel of Truth, Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Peter, and Coptic Apocalypse of Peter

Gnosticism γν ῶ σις, gnōsis

Valentinus Gnosis o “knowledge; insight” Gnostic Myth o Pleroma/Bythos o Aeons  Sophia Valentinian Gnosticism

Gospel Of Truth “Indeed their audacity has gone so far that they entitle their recent composition the Gospel of Truth, though it agrees in nothing with the Gospels of the apostles, and so no Gospel of theirs is free from blasphemy.” -Irenaeus

Who: Valentinian Gnostics (maybe Valentinus himself) When: about AD Where: found in Nag Hammi Background

Sermonic letter of exhortation Gnostic audience Underlying Gnostic theology The “Good News” of Jesus Christ Intro

Immense awe and respect for God the Father Important work of Jesus Christ Saving Power of Knowledge(Gnosis) Personification of Error/Oblivion/Ignorance Reiteration of Gnostic Theology and Myth General Themes

Fall of Man and The Second Adam o Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-21 Book of Life o Philippians 4:3, Revelation Jars of Clay o 2 Corinthians 4:7 Biblical Allusions ●Word as Double-Edged Sword ○ Hebrews 4:12 Parable of the Lost Sheep o Luke 15:1-7 Fragrance of the Knowledge of God o 2 Corinthians 2:14

Most like Book of Hebrews o Genre o Emphasis o Rhetorical strategy Frequent allusion to the New Testament Similarities Differences Minimal dealing with Judaism Western/Greco-Roman Philosophical thought Theologically antithetical to the New Testament

Should not be canonical o No apostolic tie to the text o Valentinian Gnostic o Declared heresy by Irenaeus Canonicity?

Gospel Of Mary Did you know?: The Gospel of Mary was found in the manuscripts of Papyrus Oxyrhynchus L 3525, Papyrus Rylands 463, Papyrus Berolinensis 8502

Who: Mary Magdalene When: (late) 2nd Century AD Where: ? Background

Jesus on sin Jesus’ ascension Mary comforts/encourages troubled disciples Jesus’ words to Mary o Four levels to eternal rest Validity of Mary’s testimony? Summary

Blessing and Great Commision Status of Peter and Mary Magdalene Sin is from man, not from the world o Jesus came to reconcile this Similarities Differences Inner self Four levels Private conversation/ revelation “the Good” Written by a woman

NO Canon?

Gospel Of Peter κατά Πέτρον ευαγγέλιον

Who: Simon Peter When: 2nd Century AD Where: Unknown; found in Egypt Background Basic Story Passion

Quotes Storyline Trial and torture Effects of crucifixion Similarities to the NT

Anti-semitic Jesus’ last words Supernatural drama Differences from the NT

No o Does not add any depth o Adds disagreement o Places blame on Jews Add to canon?

Coptic Apocalypse Of Peter Did you know?: The Coptic Apocalypse of Peter is an entirely different text from The Apocalypse of Peter

Who: Simon Peter When: 3rd Century AD Where: Unknown; Nag Hammadi Background

Peter’s vision Many believers are incorrect Gnostic Basic Story

Revelation Similarities to the NT Believers led astray

Beliefs put into question Confusing Language Differences from the NT Add to Canon? No o Contradiction o Minimizes sacrifice