Forbidden Books of the Original New Testament

Written by Archbishop Wake who was the Archbishop of Canterbury (1716-1737). I looked this up on the Internet to check on the author to see if he was legitimate and it appears he is. He starts off referring to the Nicene Council (who decided what books would and would not be in the 'official' Bible) as 'pious frauds.' He says one particular bishop basically got his opponent and that man's supporters kicked out.

The Gospel of the Birth of Mary

The story is basically that of Joseph getting yelled out by the High Priest for not having children. An angel appeared to him later and told him about what would happen and how he would end up having a wife and child.

Mary, when she was three years old, was taken to the Temple to study and be raised there. She grew up talking to angels and being pretty much a perfect young lady. When she was 14, though, the guy running the place it was time for all girls of her age to leave and do what they were supposed to do and that is find themselves husbands.

Mary said no. Something strange happened in the temp, a 'mercy seat' talking or something like that. Anyhow, the guy in charge got his mind changed. There is also a reference to Mary's 'first born' which would indicate that she had at least one other child after Jesus. There are some references in other works to 'James' being the brother of Jesus.

The Protevangelion

Again there's the prejudice against Joachim for not having kids. There are differences, though, from the Birth of Mary section. In this section Mary is 12 instead of 14, for example. There's the wise men story and the murder of the young children under Herod's orders. Zachiarias is murdered and this leads to the death of around 94,000 others.

There is one really odd thing, though. Joseph is walking along looking for a midwife for Mary. He passes people who are eating but everything seems to stop. Their motions are frozen and there seems to be a complete time stoppage. This doesn't seem to be tied into anything else before or after. It's a definite paranormal event, though, and it would be interesting to know if any sources of similar age refer to this type of thing happening elsewhere.

The Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ

This is one section that is really, really upsetting and very, very strange. Jesus appears able to speak while he's still in the crib. Mary is referred to as 'St. Mary.'

There is a woman that takes the foreskin of Jesus (or perhaps the placenta) and puts it into a jar with spikenard ointment. Later this is the stuff that is used in the situation where a woman washes his feet. Odd.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus are in Egypt and there seem to be a lot of cures that are worked. Jesus meets the two thieves that were later crucified with him and he talks to them.

Then it's revealed that Judas, as a boy, was possessed by Satan. He hits Jesus and the side he hit Jesus on is where he was pierced by the spear.

If this all isn't strange enough there's the part about Jesus playing a king along with a few other boys who are his underlings. There are several instances in which Jesus kills some boys and even a teacher.

This whole section section is really incredibly strange.

The Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to Laodiceans

A very, very short entry. Paul refers to 'my' converts which to me seems a little self-centered. Converts shouldn't have been counted like some kind of competition among the apostles. The other thing that bothered me was his phrase 'act in fear.' That doesn't seem a way to live at all. Act in respect, act with thought, act with knowledge but don't let your life be ruled by fear. The Epistles of St. Paul, the Apostle, to Seneca, with Seneca's to Paul

This refers to a book Paul wrote of his Epistles. The Roman Emperor, according to this entry, liked Paul's epistles. There were serious fires in Rome at the time. Seneca was in Caesar's household. Another short entry.

The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus, king of Edessa

Another short entry. This is a letter from Abgarus requesting healing to cure a disease. Jesus' answer was that, after he goes to heaven, he'll have one of his disciplines come and do the curing. The basic book says that this section may or may not be genuine.

The Gospel of Nicodemus

This section is very similar to material in the 'accepted' Bible. It covers the whole part about Pontius Pilate talking to the Jews, their complains about Jesus, Pilate giving them a choice of who to save and the Jews voting to save Barabas.

In this book Pilate comes across as a decent man. He basically acted as a judge and listened to all the evidence given to him.He seems to have not have been prejudiced one way or the other. It was kind of like a trial the way he heard evidence from both sides.

The entry then goes on through the crucifixion, Jesus being put in a tomb and Mary Magdalene being at the tomb.

Then it gets really weird. The next part seems to take place in some version of hell. Adam, though, and prophets that had already died were there (why?) Adam talks about therirbeing 5,500 years until the end times. Then it talks about Satan who is not the leader in hell. Beelzebub is the prince of hell, apparently. (This part seems more like ancient mythology of an underworld where the dead go but not to be punished.)

Jesus comes down and frees the tormented souls.

St. Thomas' Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ.

Another very short entry. It's also an incredibly nasty story. Jesus made some birds out of clay and then brought them to life and they flew away. That part is okay.

But, and a big but, he strikes back at people that bother him. He causes a boy to become withered, he outright kills another boy and he blinds people who complain about what he is doing.

Fortunately, this is a very short section. I hate to imaging what else it might have said.

The Acts of St. Paul and Thecla

This is all about a virgin named Thecla who listened to Paul and became a follower of his. Paul says that 'God is a god of vengeance' which isn't very comforting

She undergoes a series of events where the politicos try to kill her including being burnt at the state (rain put out the fire) and being thrown to the beasts (one of which protected her from the others.) There is also a very interesting bit about physicians being angry with her since she was a follower of Paul and healings could be done.

This is similar to what happened during the witch trials. The 'wise woman' were basically herbalists and could sometimes actually cure people of disease. The physicians hated the competition and were one of the forces who stirred up hate against the wise woman who were termed witches.

The worst part is where one of the politicos hires some guys to go and rape her. She manages to escape. The author of the basic book notes that this entry could be a forgery.

The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

He praises them but mentions something about sedition. He also talks about wives and 'keeping them within the bonds of due obedience.' He talks about the Cain and Abel story and opponents of Moses. He notes that Peter and Paul are dead at the time.

He stresses repentance and that 'you're condemned if you do not worship God.' An interesting line is 'The merciful shall inherit the Earth', changing the word weak to merciful. Offerings must be at a certain time but certain people and in a certain place. Death is the price of not doing it that exact way.

He also notes that there is some kind of argument going on among Christians.

The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

How to praise Jesus and how people used to worship things like brass and wood structures. Do not sacrifice to dead gods. Worship God with lips and heart and mind. Then he talks about how to behave properly.

The General Epistle of Barnabas

God has abolished legal sacrifices. Incense is an abomination. He doesn't like the Sabbath and hates appointed feasts. There should be no fasting and circumcision is to be abolished. 6000 years from then the world will end. He gives a lot of 'thou shalt nots.'

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians

He praises them. Their bishop is really good. 'The last times have come upon us.' He also goes after adultery.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians

He praises them. Their bishop is young and they should respect him. Behave properly.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallans

Avoid heresy. Be nice to your neighbor. Don't be mean to Gentiles.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans

He wants to be sacrificed and be eaten by wild beasts.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Phillipians

Stop arguing among yourselves. Flee divisions. Talks about the High Priest.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrna

He praises them. He talks about beasts in the shape of men. Don't have anything to do with non-Christians. Do things only the bishop is allowed to do.

The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp

Stay the course. Behave properly. Women should be satisfied with their own husbands. Love your wives.

The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians

The author notes that this epistle may not be genuine.

Praises the people. Things people should not do. The love of money is the root of all evil. He attacks fornicators and those who are effeminate. Teaches sobriety.

The First Part of the Book of Hermas Called His Vision

He talks about a woman who is 'noble and beautiful.' He has an 'evil desire' in his heart. IN a vision he sees a great beast.

Part 2 of above

He tells believe to believe in he one god. Speak evil of none. Give alms. Don't lie. If a guy divorces a wife for adultery then he can't remarry. Be patient and long suffering. He talks about the 'angel of inequity.' Flee from evil. Do good works. Sadness is bad.

Part 3 of above

Help the needy. No adultery. Being rich does not equal being godly. Don't defile your body. Repenting isn't enough.

Then he tells this long story about 10 virgins who build a great white tower.

There is dispute about the authenticity of this epistle.