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NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Bible Question:
Hello, For Christmas, I (ironically) received from a cousin a copy of Elaine Pagel's "Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas," a book that purports to shed light on the early days of Christianity by examining the other "sacred texts" used by various groups of "early Christians." I'm also reading F.F. Bruce's "The New Testament Documents", a very helpful work on the authority of our N.T. cannon. It does not, though, speak to the various heretical texts that some think to be on par with our gospels. I generally figure that Pagel's book, and other scholarship of its kind, manages to prove only those ideas that are assumed from the beginning, namely that early Christians distorted the faith by unfairly excluding equally valid accountings of Christ's life. I would like to know of a more satisfactory academic analysis of the so-called Nag Hammadi gospels and other early Christian heresies. Please let me know if you know of any orthodox writers who provide a thoughful accounting of Gnosticism, the Gospel of Thomas, and the other assorted manuscripts that these wolvish academics are using to challenge the Christian faith. Best, Colin |
Bible Answer: Hi there, brother Colin... As you go about your research, you might seek out studies of the gospel and epistles of John. It is clear that he was familiar with some of these pseudopygraphal writings. Some of them actually put words into his mouth! He was quite concerned with gnosticism. Of course, one problem with those writings is that they tend to contradict the canonical scriptures. This is part of the problem with the apocryphal writings. Anyway... maybe there are a couple of thoughts here that will help you in your search. In Him, Doc PS Here is an interesting article on your subject: http://www.equip.org/free/DG040-1.htm http://www.equip.org/free/DG040-2.htm |