What's the difference between the Apocryphal and Gnostic gospels?

[Arch_Angel]

I just started researching what the Apocryphal and Gnostic gospels are and was wondering what the the difference is? The internet is littered with info but I figured I’d get a more concise response here Thanks!

 

[Wesley7]

Apocrypha is authentic & divine revelation written down.

Gnostic gospels is spurious claims & interwoven stories about Jesus.

. .

 

[WoundedIcon]

Well, wait. They’re not talking about the Deuterocanon, but rather why there’s a distinction between apocryphal and gnostic in some of the extra-biblical gospel writings. I think the simplest way to put it, OP, is that the apocryphal books may actually be legitimate history whereas the gnostic books are pagan and basically just use Jesus to push their views. One of the apocryphal books tells us about St. Anne and Mary’s consecration, actually.

 

[followingtheway]

Apocrypha is accepted as scripture by Catholics and Eastern Christians (whether Orthodox, Oriental, Assyrian/Ancient or whatever) These are called “Deuterocanonical” books by the Christians you use them. And these Christians put them in between the Old and New Testament.

These books are not accepted by Protestants. While Anglicans say these books are useful reading and Lutherans say they can be used for edification, they are not accepted.

This the main difference between Catholic Bibles and Protestant Bibles. We have the Old Testament, Apocrypha, and the New Testament (73 books in total). They have just the Old and New Testament (66 books in total).

Gnostic gospels are not accepted by Christian groups and are not part of a Mainstream Bibles

 

[Warloff]

Not all the Apocryphal Gospels or letters are Gnostic. Gnosticism was a heresy that emphasized secret knowledge only revealed to a select few. Not all of the spurious gospels and letters contain this heresy.

Some of the apocryphal gospels or letters of the apostles have a lot of good stuff in them, but were rejected because they weren’t inspired and were thus open to error.

So for example the Gospel of James (from the 2nd century), while not inspired, contains many of the oldest direct references to the immaculate conception, Mary’s ever virginity, Saint Anne, an explanation that Joseph was widowed and had children from his first marriage (thus explaining Christ’s “brothers”), and the depiction of Christ being born in a cave.

Another one of these apocryphal writings is the first to mention how Saint Peter was crucified upside down.

They are not quite history, but you certainly might find truth. But, you should never confuse them with inspired writing. You should also remember all of these writings came much later than canonical scripture. While many of the Church Fathers found a lot of good in these writings they were very concerned that they might easily be confused with inspired writing and were strongly opposed to them even though they might not be heretical for that reason. These gospels may contain stories about Christ that while consistent with his message are just not true.

However, the Gnostic gospels are outright heresy.

 

[EricFilmer]

The term “apocryphal” means “hidden things” (in Greek) and this term has a broad (and inconsistent) usage among historians.

If you see a Protestant Bible that says “with Apocrypha”, then the designers of that Bible are using the term to signify the Deuterocanon.

However, many other people (including Catholics) use the term “apocrypha” to designate any ancient Judeo-Christian text which is not considered canonical (by either Jews or Christians). Such texts may stem from the Old Testament era (such as the Book of Enoch) or the New Testament Era (such as the Shepherd of Hermas).

Gnostic documents were specifically written by religious groups of the 2nd Century (and later) who combined Gnostic and Christian spirituality. In order to give the appearance of credibility, they tended to ascribe their works to 1st Century Christian authors (for example, the so-called Gospel of Mary Magdalene). Gnosticism is considered by the Catholic Church to be a false school of philosophy (meaning that its teachings concerning reality and the nature of God are contrary to Church doctrine).

In light of all this, Gnostic documents come under the umbrella of the term “apocrypha”, but not all apocryphal texts are Gnostic.

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

I just started researching what the Apocryphal and Gnostic gospels are and was wondering what the the difference is? The internet is littered with info but I figured I’d get a more concise response here Thanks!

On the subject of the gnostic texts, they are uninspired works of heretics. Open up a text and see for yourself as the evidence is self revealing. I remember a feminist on this site who was ridiculing the Church for out casting these books. I knew see never read a single sentence of any of these books because when I presented her with this verse:

Gnostic “Gospel” of Thomas 114 Simon Peter said to them, “Make Mary leave us, for females don’t deserve life.” Jesus said, “Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

She left the debate. Being knowledgeable about the religions of knowledge (gnosis, gnosticism) is damaging to their agenda

Oh and it was verses like these, and there are others like it, that belittle women that led gnostics into grave matters of the sin of lust. St. Augustine will tell you all about that since he was once a manichaean gnostic.

 

[Arch_Angel]

Thanks for the GREAT feedback everyone!