The Gnostic Gospels

Abstract

One event more than any other in the history of the Christian Church set the stage for the creation and preservation of the New Testament. That same event also spelled the beginning of the end of the early Church’s key antagonist: Gnosticism. The event was the circulation and reading of the thirty-ninth Festal Letter of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria (326–73). Earlier happenings also played an integral role—Pentecost, St. Paul’s mission work among the Gentiles, Constantine’s granting legitimate status to Christianity. But because of this one pivotal event, today we are reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John rather than the Gospels of Peter, Mary, Thomas, and Philip. Instead of the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed, we might be reciting other articles of faith from different books of worship. We might be worshipping a different Christ, a different God … or gods.