the gnostic gospels look to stimulate knowledge and insight. gnosticism held a fascination for many christians for another reason. its gospels seemed to offer a more female-friendly faith. it was the gnostics that thought the role of the female as an image and the role of women within the church should be advanced so that god is not only male, god is also female. there are not only male leaders, there are female leaders. there are not only male priests, there are female priests, and in this way, there is a kind of gender balance found in these texts. that balance is not found in the gnostic gospel of thomas, where peter asks jesus to send mary magdalene on her way, for women aren t worthy of apostolic
women within the church should be advanced so that god is not only male, god is also female. there are not only male leaders, there are female leaders. there are not only male priests, there are female priests, and in this way, there is a kind of gender balance found in these texts. that balance is not found in the gnostic gospel of thomas, where peter asks jesus to send mary magdalene on her way, for women aren t worthy of apostolic life. and jesus replies, leave her alone for i shall make her a male, for every woman who becomes a male will enter into the kingdom of god. this isn t a very liberating view of women, and not one i think the people probably want to latch onto today. the gnostic gospels seemed to assault the very foundation of orthodox christianity, telling a different version of the life of jesus. not only does doubting thomas
texts. that balance is not found in the gnostic gospel of thomas, where peter asks jesus to send mary magdalene on her way, for women aren t worthy of apostolic life. and jesus replies, leave her alone for i shall make her a male, for every woman who becomes a male will enter into the kingdom of god. this isn t a very liberating view of women, and not one i think the people probably want to latch onto today. the gnostic gospels seemed to assault the very foundation of orthodox christianity, telling a different version of the life of jesus. not only does doubting thomas have a gospel, but so does judas escariot, the apostle who betrayed jesus for 30 pieces of silver. the gospel of judas escariot?
order to be a member of the church. and james, the brother of jesus, presiding over this jerusalem council, agrees with paul. it was a huge triumph for the new faith, and especially for paul, whose argument had won the day. the jesus message was for the whole world, and those who believe that message would win eternal life. but the biggest test was yet to come. just how would the jesus message go down in the pagan heart of the roman empire?
there are not only male leaders, there are female leaders. there are not only male priests, there are female priests, and in this way, there is a kind of gender balance found in these texts. that balance is not found in the gnostic gospel of thomas, where peter asks jesus to send mary magdalene on her way, for women aren t worthy of apostolic life. and jesus replies, leave her alone for i shall make her a male, for every woman who becomes a male will enter into the kingdom of god. this isn t a very liberating view of women, and not one i think the people probably want to latch onto today. the gnostic gospels seemed to assault the very foundation of orthodox christianity, telling a different version of the life of jesus.