1. The Other Gospels: Additional Portraits of Jesus
Chapter 11
The Other Gospels:
Additional Portraits of Jesus

2. Key Topics/Themes
Diversity of Gospels produced in early Christian period
Reflect great diversity of views about nature of Jesus and his message
Three classes of early, noncanonical Gospels
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3. Introduction
The composite portrait of Jesus assumed by casual readers of the four canonical Gospels
The actual uniqueness of each canonical Gospel
Other Gospels produced in first three centuries CE
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4. Introduction (continued)
A reflection of the early fluidity of Christian belief and practice
Early use of edited versions of canonical Gospels:
Gospel of the Nazoreans
Marcion’s canon
Tatian’s Diatessaron
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5. The Gospel of Thomas
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6. Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas
Discovery among the Nag Hammadi documents
Consists of 114 sayings of Jesus
The ostensible author: the apostle Didymos Thomas
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7. Thomas’s Diverse Contents
79 of 114 sayings resemble Synoptic material
Possible Gnostic orientation of some sayings
Lack of highly developed Christology
Jesus as wisdom sage rather than savior who dies for sins of the world
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8. Independence from the Synoptic Gospels
Strong possibility of Thomas preserving forms of Jesus’ sayings earlier than Synoptic accounts
Negative attitude toward women
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9. Significance of the Gospel of Thomas
Scholars uncertain of historical authenticity of its materials
Demonstrates existence of early Christian communities that saw Jesus only as wisdom sage
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10. The Gospel of Judas
New discovery portraying Judas very differently from other accounts
Irenaeus denounced as heretical in 180
Expresses a form of Gnostic dualism
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11. The Case of Secret Mark
Many teachers reserved special teachings for closest followers
Clement of Alexandria: special version of Gospel of Mark reserved for Jesus’ secret teachings
Copy discovered Some scholars say a forgery; other say genuine.
Parallels with raising of Lazarus in John 11
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12. Gospel of Peter Version of the Passion of Jesus
Close parallels with Matthew
Includes scene of Jesus’ actual resurrection
Scholarly debates about document’s origin and significance
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13. Gospels About Jesus’ Infancy and Childhood
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14. Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Dated c. 150 CE
Portrays child Jesus using divine power selfishly and vindictively
Jesus grows in maturity and awareness of the need to use powers for good
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15. Infancy Gospel of James
Also known as Protoevangelium of James
Personal history of Mary, mother of Jesus
Mary the result of miraculous birth
Mary a descendant of King David
Joseph Mary’s guardian, not husband
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16. Infancy Gospel of James (continued)
Mary a perpetual virgin
Contributed significantly to Mariology in Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches
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17. Summary
Demonstrates that early Church did not settle quickly on single view of Jesus
Demonstrates early competition between competing views about Jesus
Debate settled in fifth century with establishment of doctrinal orthodoxy that condemned competing views about Jesus
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