Reading Non Canon Books/Gospels and other books

[40_number]

Hello, i was wondering whether it is alright (approved or not not approved by the Church) whether i read non canon books or gospels. For example, is it ok if i wanted to read the recently rediscovered Gospel of Judas?
Secondly, is it also alright if i wanted to read books about different beliefs like ‘Quotations from Chairman Mao’ (commonly known as the little red book) or ‘The Communist Manifesto’ by Karl Marx. My only intention for doing this is not to possibly waste my time, but to gain an understanding of the other side of things or different views so i can compare it to my own Catholic Belief,for i believe you can’t criticize was you don’t understand or know anything about.
Lastly, what other religious scriptures like the Quaran or the Bagvadhgita. Forgive me if i have phrased anything wrong or poorly.
Thanks for your answers.

 

[Julian0404]

The more you read, the better you are to deal with the world. Test what you read against the Gospel and if you become confused, go to your priest or Catholic Answers or Cathechism of Catholic Church.

 

[cthulhubryan]

Hello, i was wondering whether it is alright (approved or not not approved by the Church) whether i read non canon books or gospels. For example, is it ok if i wanted to read the recently rediscovered Gospel of Judas?

I do not know if you remember the movie “Stigmata” or not.

This movie was supposedly based upon the Secret Gospel of Thomas. I read the Secret Gospel of Thomas. It was fascinating. While the movie portrayed this non-canonical book as destroying the Catholic Church, it was not. It in fact was a piece very much in line with St. Paul’s letter to the Romans.

The thing to remember about these non-canon books is that often the works are mainly guesses. With Thomas it was about 4 of every 10 words were intact and the rest were guesstimates based on context. This is why they are non Canon. There has yet to be a historical document that contradicts either the Bible or the Teaching of the Church but remember that they are incomplete.

Bryan

 

[Harland]

Why would you want to take the chance? The Church didn’t include them for a reason.

 

[Spencerian]

Hello, i was wondering whether it is alright (approved or not not approved by the Church) whether i read non canon books or gospels. For example, is it ok if i wanted to read the recently rediscovered Gospel of Judas?
Secondly, is it also alright if i wanted to read books about different beliefs like ‘Quotations from Chairman Mao’ (commonly known as the little red book) or ‘The Communist Manifesto’ by Karl Marx. My only intention for doing this is not to possibly waste my time, but to gain an understanding of the other side of things or different views so i can compare it to my own Catholic Belief,for i believe you can’t criticize was you don’t understand or know anything about.
Lastly, what other religious scriptures like the Quaran or the Bagvadhgita. Forgive me if i have phrased anything wrong or poorly.
Thanks for your answers.

Hi.

To my knowledge, the Church does not restrict what you can read or study.

That said, be completely sure in the foundations of your own faith before you start reading of other’s viewpoints or scriptures.

Remember, too, that some readings such as “Gospel of Judas” were Gnostic works, written intentionally to redefine the Church’s teachings as we know them, some of these made centuries after Christ.

Political manifestos and similar writings could be helpful, historically, but again, are you trying to read to understand the philosophies and their impact in history, or are you trying to gain wisdom from such readings? Much of what you noted has substantial fallacies or contradictions, not to mention history that questions their worth and, ultimately, truth.

 

[40_number]

Thanks for the replies that you’ve all given me. All of you have given me something to think about before i choose to read such texts. Again, your help has been most appreciated.