Many people believe the only book of the bible is the one comprised of 66 books, however, books that have gone missing from the bible tell a different story. Individuals have to take a leap of faith when looking for the truth behind the missing texts, where a combination of modern scholarship, critical evaluation, and thinking outside the box will enable people to discover a much larger holy scripture than the one many of us are used to.
The bible as we know it is the end result of a long period of canonization and editing. Before the use of written language, narratives, stories, and large texts where held orally, so passing on their wisdom was primarily done by word of mouth. It’s entirely possible some texts were omitted due to a combination of factors, including content deemed inappropriate or in need of interpretation.
One of the most famous books of Jesus that forced its way into mainstream discourse is the Gospel of Judas. Judas Iscariot, the disciple of Jesus believed to have betrayed him, is documented in the bible as having a major role in Jesus’ life. After the gospels of the bible were written, the Gospel of Judas reemerged resurfacing after sixteen hundred years through the discovery of a Coptic translation. They offer a way to look at Judas differing from the popular narrative, presenting a positive light on Judas and his extraordinary relationship with Jesus
Another disappeared book is the Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach. The exclusion of this book is especially strange because it was originally in the Hebrew Bible, known as the Apocrypha. Just like other books of the Bible, the Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach was originally written in Hebrew, yet, according to some scholars, it was later edited by a Syrian to clarify certain passages. Its general absence from Christian Bibles has been frequently lamented by theologians and scholars of scripture alike.
The Gospel of the Ebionites makes for an interesting read as well. It’s a collection of material about the life and words of Jesus, as told by the Ebionites, a sect of the early Church who considered themselves to the true followers of Jesus and rejected the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Ebionites believed Paul was a heretic and rejected most of the letters written by Paul. The Ebionites Gospel was likely omitted from the Bible due to its anti-Pauline stance.
Influence On Modern Thinking
Reading the ancient texts will reveal a new way of learning and an intricate understanding of ancient themes and values. Genre and narratology help impose powerful messages on the reader, such as the power of sisterhood and the notion of autonomy. Such lost texts were written in Greek and the Syriac language, the ancient form of Aramaic, which held the key to unlocking new and often, more progressive views and insights.
Other evolving takes include the fight between the inferiority of women and the empowerment of feminine expression. In the book of 5 Ezra, women are described in a light never seen before, women as beautiful and powerful — standing against cultural and institutionalized gender norms.
As times changed, many ancient texts and manuscripts not only vanished but entire communities as well. Languages and territories were erased in the process leaving fewer traces of erased people and cultures.
The Rediscovery Of Lost Gospels
The process of rediscovering lost gospels has been made easier in modern times, as it is now possible to access digitized versions of ancient texts. Over the last two centuries, large-scale archaeological excavations have unearthed a great deal of ancient texts, as well as translations, which have enabled scholars to gain a better understanding of ancient texts and texts missing from the bible.
From the Early Church era, earliest manuscripts of the New Testament have been found and transcribed through digital retranslation. Additionally, digital workflows and the advanced understanding of ancient languages have enabled the rediscovery of different sources, offering us glimpses of alternative stories of Jesus’ life, his miracles, and his followers.
The Nag Hammadi Library was an extensive collection of unseen Gnostic texts, all unearthed in Egypt in 1945. These ancient texts revealed an entirely different and alternative understanding of Christianity, an understanding that was probably far ahead of its time but too controversial and non-traditional for the developing mainstream Church.
The Shape Of Things To Come
People today have access to many more structures, platforms, and languages than before and the ways to learn new stories, new histories, and new dialogues have increased. This provides the perfect platform to share stories from the past and promote messages of inclusion, understanding, and acceptance. Clearly, the world has seen only a fraction of what’s out there and there’s still so much to unlock.
More recently, researchers at the American Baptist Seminary of the West have worked to uncover new gospels that offer an alternative perspective to existing literature. They are using crowdsourcing to locate, document, and spread the stories of the lost books of the bible. These scholars believe that while understanding ancient texts can be difficult, they hold a valuable knowledge which needs to be shared with the world.
The tablets of Nineveh are among the most recent discoveries, with over 9,000 tablets being released from the British Museum. They have revealed some texts referencing the idea of creation of a hidden world, as well as a book named “Secure That Which You Speaks of” which mentions creation of a new civilization, rebirth of a soul, and the concept of duality.
The Place Of Fiction In Religious Writings
Modern scholars also believe the line between religious and fiction writing has become incredibly blurred. For example, in many cases, authors wrote engaging stories to explore the moral philosophy of their time and this has to be taken into consideration when looking at what books are absent from the bible.
The idea of fiction and non-fiction being intertwined is further evident in other texts such as the Shem-Tob Hebrew Matthew, the Didascalia Apostolorum, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which all demonstrate a level of fiction and fantasy in their portrayal of Jesus.
In the end, only time and scholarship can truly unravel the answer to what books are missing from the bible. But one thing’s for certain — these ancient texts have the power to transform how we look at the world and our understanding of our shared histories.
A Look Into Ancient Wisdom & Metaphor
The Q source, an alternate representation of the New Testament, takes a unique approach by combining parables, metaphors, and allegories as a form of teaching. This can be seen in the secret language of the Q source that consisted of words and phrases such as “the Kingdom of Heaven”, “the Power of the Highest”, and “the Son of Man”. Each of these phrases has a deeper, often unknown, meaning, which can be explored through further study and evaluation to get a comprehensive understanding of the text.
Ancient scholars looked to often-surreal stories from the bible to decipher the infinite wisdom within them, looking for underlying meanings. This openness to an alternate reality, helped to build up society and enhance the power and progression of the teachings of ancient wisdom by envisioning a world in which such stories could take place.
The Role Of Translators And Scholars
Scholars and archaeologists have devoted their lives to the study and preservation of ancient words and documents. A great example of this is the discovery of the lost library of Alexandria, a repository of ancient wisdom and learning that had largely been destroyed due to natural causes. The discovery of this collection offered invaluable insight into centuries-old thinking, offering valuable advice for those seeking alternative interpretations of religion and faith.
Translators have made tremendous contributions to unlock and unlock the mysteries of the ancient texts. Their work has provided easier access to long forgotten tales and stories which can be examined and further understood.
More recently, digital technologies have enabled easier access to ancient manuscripts and rare biblical and non-biblical sources. Researchers have been able to source and combine different sources to gain a better and more complete understanding of these documents. The use of images and symbols are also an invaluable way to experience the stories within the lost manuscripts.
Final Thoughts
Through the rediscovery and examination of the lost books of the bible, a vast store of ancient stories, wisdom, and meaning can be explored and understood. By allowing ourselves to delve into alternative interpretations of religious writings, we can also become closer to discovering who we are and the role of faith in our individual lives.
Furthermore, as time passes, more and more ancient texts are being translated and uncovered due in large part to advances in technology, modern scholarship, and the preservation of manuscripts. This provides insight into the beliefs, values, and struggles of ancient cultures from all around the world, which can only serve to exact a greater appreciation for the diversity of humanity.
