Mystical Christianity: lesson 3 (assignment)

Mystical Christianity: lesson 3 1.    What in your opinion is the significance of the discovery of these ancient manuscripts? It is very significant because it casts new doubt on the integrity of the New Testament as it is known today. These writings remind us that the biblical canon was not handed down from heaven from God in a nicely bound volume, but rather a collection compiled by Church councils – and oftentimes the inclusion or exclusion of certain writings came down to a few votes. 2.    What is your understanding of the Essene Community? My understanding of the Essenes is that they were an ascetic, mystic community of healers – a third major tendency in Judaism, distinct from the Pharisees and Sadducees.  I find the hypothesis that Jesus, as well as Mary and Joseph, were Essenes quite plausible. 3.    How do you define the term "gospel"? Do you feel that the non-canonical gospels have valid authority and significant messages for your life? Although many people interpret the word "gospel" as being equivalent to "truth", the term really means "good news".  By this definition, the non-canonical gospels certainly can have importance for me. These writings help fill in the gaps in the overall Christian message and help us rediscover the mystical roots of Christianity. After all, the canonical gospels were chosen with a specific agenda in mind – and the rest were suppressed, largely because they bore messages threatening to the Church hierarchy and their patriarchal agenda. J.P. Amis