Anyone like to read the letters of Apostles not put in the Bible?

[Sword-In-Hand]

I was wondering if anyone is as curious as I am and would actually like to see some of the letters written by other Apostles that were not put in during the canonization of the Bible? I've heard, read and seen on television where some of these letters deal heavily with the issue of sex and its speculated that's why they weren't added to the Bible.
Now I believe that the Bible we have now is complete and God was directly involved in the canonization, but I just think it would be interesting to read say some writings by Thomas, Bartholomew and other letters written by Paul that weren't included. Anyone else feel that way?

 

[Matthan]

Yes, I would very much like to read them if they are available.

Matthan <J><

 

[chava]

i would love to read them! Do you have access to them or is there a way to see them?

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

I don't have access to them, but if anyone does that would rock.

 

[daveleau]

Just be careful because many of them are fakes and/or are created by Gnostics. Other writings by the actual biblical authors would be very interesting to read, though.

 

[Theophorus]

Here is a good link for checking that stuff out.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

here is the epistle of Barnabas

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html

Reads a lot like Hebrews.

 

[daveleau]

Be careful not to base your theologies on some of the above book links. Some are written by Gnostics, others are written by men who were not very good at interpretation and are actually some of the basis for heretical teachings today. Remember that the Bible and revelations through nature (by God) are the only things that should greatly influence our theology. Although many of us believe the Bible is the only influence that counts, so this should not be an issue. But, for those who are new to the faith, don't be surprised if the reading in those links have teachings that are contrary to things in the Bible or contrary to mainstream Christian teachings.

I have never read the book of Barnabas. It is very interesting reading. I saw a few references to "offense" which might be the source of an idea that came from a boy I spoke with. He said that many things are an offense to God but all offenses are not sins. I don't see anything very far off from the teaching of Jesus in Scripture in my very cursory reading of this.

 

[Theophorus]

Be careful not to base your theologies on some of the above book links. Some are written by Gnostics, others are written by men who were not very good at interpretation and are actually some of the basis for heretical teachings today. Remember that the Bible and revelations through nature (by God) are the only things that should greatly influence our theology. Although many of us believe the Bible is the only influence that counts, so this should not be an issue. But, for those who are new to the faith, don't be surprised if the reading in those links have teachings that are contrary to things in the Bible or contrary to mainstream Christian teachings.

I have never read the book of Barnabas. It is very interesting reading. I saw a few references to "offense" which might be the source of an idea that came from a boy I spoke with. He said that many things are an offense to God but all offenses are not sins. I don't see anything very far off from the teaching of Jesus in Scripture in my very cursory reading of this.

Agreed. The cannon of the NT was guided by the Holy Spirit. If you are not up on your theology, it can take you for a ride, especially the gnostic writings. The episitle of barnabas falls apart at the end the with analogy of the six days of creation being equal to the earths total existence being 6000 yrs. But some are spot on in their theology, Clement for example quotes the scriptures extensively.

 

[daveleau]

Ah, so that is where the idea of the creation being still formed came from (there's a creation idea that we are still in the 6th day)... I thought people just pulled it out of a hat.

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Thanks for the link. I only scanned through some of the things, but I read through most of the Gospel of Thomas. I must say it was a little strange when compared to the other four gospels.

 

[the Colonel]

I have been curious about this for some time. I would at least like to see some of the other letters written by Paul.

 

[C.I. Scofield]

I have been curious about this for some time. I would at least like to see some of the other letters written by Paul.

As would I. what I would also like to see, (and this prolly never gonna happen...But...) is the letters that came from Corinth, Phillipi and others that made Paul have to write those letters to them to straighten them out! Whew! could you just see the letters paul would write today?!?!?

 

[Joshua Howard]

Mental tendancy would make one want to elevate such writings to a position higher than other common-place literary theological works -- If not to the level of divinity, to a level near to; For said reason, the idea of studying such articles, at least for me personally, seems inadvisable.

-Josh

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Mental tendancy would make one want to elevate such writings to a position higher than other common-place literary theological works -- If not to the level of divinity, to a level near to; For said reason, the idea of studying such articles, at least for me personally, seems inadvisable.

-Josh

I could see your point there. In the book The Case for Christ it goes through some of the books which were left out of the Bible and the gospel of Thomas was one because it lacked in authenticity and assumed a polytheistic belief system. I wouldn't be one for studying these left over books for spiritual growth, but I would like to read some of them just for fun.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I would recommend reading the writings of the Early Church Fathers who were tremendously influential to the development of the church and were generally orthodox in theology at least relative to the Gnostic writings.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html