Apocryphal writings?

[alms]

Can anybody provide information to why some early Christian writings were considered apocryphal? Were the gospels of Thomas and Mary and the like considered frauds? I’m trying to understand why these writings, that claim to communicate some of Jesus’ teachings, were not considered “inspired”.

 

[Lazerlike42]

alms:

Can anybody provide information to why some early Christian writings were considered apocryphal? Were the gospels of Thomas and Mary and the like considered frauds? I’m trying to understand why these writings, that claim to communicate some of Jesus’ teachings, were not considered “inspired”.

These writings were written hundreds of years after Jesus’ death by various heretical groups in an effort to validate their beliefs. In other words, they needed to justify their beliefs, so they made up gospels to support them. The criteria for inclusion in the canon required that the books be written by an Apostle or one directly linked to the apostle. By the time these writings were composed, all such persons were dead.

 

[NotWorthy]

Each book was considered on its own merit. Take for example, Clement’s Epistles. They are not considered to be false and are used as examples of Sacred Tradition.

What made a book or epistle included in the Canon was that it was inspired by God.

Notworthy

 

[Timidity]

Just as any nutcase can get a web page and say anything he wants, so it was in the days before computers. But instead of using web pages and pixels they used this stuff called “ink” that was smeared across various paper-like surfaces.

Some people, hoping to be taken more seriously, would even claim to be someone else when they wrote these things!

 

[alms]

Thanks for the answers.