The Coptic Gospels

Most major religions have two bodies of works that guide their teachings. The first consists of simple parables and mythological stories. These are primarily intended to control the populace and keep the sheep in their pen.

The second type of religious treatise are the metaphysical and mystical works that tend to focus be a more a philosophical search for truth. Usually attempting to understand the nature of reality and the meaning of existence. Often these works are more concerned with personal enlightenment instead of rewards for obedient behavior as in the former category of works.

It seems pretty clear that the first of these types of works are aimed at a less educated population and usually carry the unspoken message “There is no need for you to think to hard, just do what you are told and everything will be fine.” Hence the Christian dictum to “believe as children.”

The second type of works tend to place more responsibility on the individual, both for make moral judgments, and through finding salvation through personal enlightenment.

While most major religions have books that teach the latter more metaphysical and mystical teachings, it always struck me as odd that Christianity did not have such works. I have often hear rumors that such books exist, and that there are another more esoteric set of Christ’s teachings, but I have never seen any proof that these exist. The rumor was that the Catholic Church had these writings, but was suppressing them. I was always skeptical about all of this because it seemed hard to imagine that of they existed they wouldn’t have leaked out and become available commercially. But with the Catholic Church, who knows.

Recently this mystery was made clear to me when I learned that there is a body of Christian mystical works that date back to the writing of the original gospels, and which was suppressed by church leaders as early as 180 AD.

It turns out that there was as many as 30 gospels of Christ, including the gospel of Mary Magdalene. At least some of these have survived and are of a more metaphysical nature. Early church leaders, who were struggling with the social/political and marketing challenge of turning an obscure cult into a major religion, chose the four gospels we all know for the New Testament, and condemned the other gospels as heretical.

The four gospels chosen were those that focused on guiding the behavior of the followers and on the magic of Christ rising from the dead. The condemned gospels focused more on personal enlightenment and therefore left little need for church leaders and an organized religion.

Referred to as the Coptic Gospels, I don’t these gospels are really much of a secret, although I heard the name, I was not aware of what they really were, and it seems most followers of the Christian faith are not aware of their content.