Re: Question - please help me get this

hi sans,

i have read much of what is now called "the apocrypha" as well as the nag hammadi texts and some of the dead sea scrolls. what impresses me most is that nearly everything that eneded up in the bible has a certain consistency about it, and that many of the other texts are quite different in tone or content. that is not to say i believe that every single word in the bible is exactly what God thinks, becasue i don't, i just think that that book stands alone.

the book of enoch is very interesting and goes further into the reasons behind the great flood and the corruption of the daughters of men with the sons of god. it also gives greater detail of the events around the garden of eden. is it accurate history? i have no idea, but it is interesting reading.

the texts the council of nicea left out of the new testament are varied. some are full of silly superstitions, other with wildly exaggerated tales of the exploits of the apostles, some just are not truly inspired literature like the other texts are. elaine pagels has written a lot about this.

my favorite alternative text is the gospel of Thomas. it is only sayings, no narrative. i have heard that it was actually written only 500 years ago, but that debate is endless and no one knows for sure. but the book is great.

i personally believe the bible is inspired but because it was written by humans, it contains flaws. so i use it as a guidepost, but my faith in God is my rock.

hope that helps.

ff Tweet