April 30, 2021 — The Coptic Apocalypse of Peter

“And when I said these things, the Savior said, “I have told you that these (people) are blind and deaf. Now then, listen to the things which they are telling you in a mystery, and guard them, Do not tell them to the sons of this age. For they shall blaspheme you in these ages since they are ignorant of you, but they will praise you in knowledge.” “For many will accept our teaching in the beginning. And they will turn from them again by the will of the Father of their error, because they have done what he wanted. And he will reveal them in his judgment, i.e., the servants of the Word. But those who became mingled with these shall become their prisoners, since they are without perception. And the guileless, good, pure one they push to the worker of death, and to the kingdom of those who praise Christ in a restoration. And they praise the men of the propagation of falsehood, those who will come after you. And they will cleave to the name of a dead man, thinking that they will become pure. But they will become greatly defiled and they will fall into a name of error, and into the hand of an evil, cunning man and a manifold dogma, and they will be ruled without law.” “For some of them will blaspheme the truth and proclaim evil teaching. And they will say evil things against each other. Some will be named: (those) who stand in (the) strength of the archons, of a man and a naked woman who is manifold and subject to much suffering. And those who say these things will ask about dreams. And if they say that a dream came from a demon worthy of their error, then they shall be given perdition instead of incorruption.” (Coptic Apocalypse of Peter)

The Coptic Apocalypse of Peter is an early Christian apocalypse, written pseudonymously in Peter’s name. A text that is titled as “Pseudonymously” means it was falsely attributed to Peter – someone other than Peter wrote the apocalypse. Since it shares terminology and concepts with related second- and third-century traditions, including other Nag Hammadi writings, it is typically characterized as “gnostic.” In this writing Jesus issues dire warnings against the teaching of heretics. These heretics are named as the bishop and deacons of the “orthodox” or traditional church. What these gnostic teachers call “false” is their belief that Christ did not suffer on the cross. This author believes that, though Christ’s flesh was killed, Christ was far removed from suffering. Those with the right “gnosis” or knowledge did not see the suffering Jesus on the cross, but the living Christ who was laughing at the entire proceeding as he stood far away, possibly at the right hand of G-d.

We too wonder how G-d could have allowed Jesus to suffer on the cross. I have told people before that if Christ did not actually allow himself to be nailed on the cross, suffer for all of humanity, and die for our sins, then the cross event is completely devoid of its power. Yes, we wish there could have been another way for humanity to be saved from ourselves, but extraordinary times required extraordinary measures. That is how much G-d loves all of humanity – G-d loved the world so much G-d sent the Son to die for you and me.

Difficult or not, we stand in the shadow of the cross in awe of the length G-d went for our salvation.

Pastor Dave

April 28, 2021 — The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

IX. 1 Now after certain days Jesus was playing in the upper story of a certain house, and one of the young children that played with him fell down from the house and died. And the other children when they saw it fled, and Jesus remained alone. 2 And the parents of him that was dead came and accused him that he had cast him down. (And Jesus said: I did not cast him down) but they reviled him still. 3 Then Jesus leaped down from the roof and stood by the body of the child and cried with a loud voice and said: Zeno (for so was his name called), arise and tell me, did I cast thee down? And straightway he arose and said: Nay, Lord, thou didst not cast me down, but didst raise me up.

X. 1 After a few days, a certain young man was cleaving wood in the neighbourhood (MSS. corner), and the axe fell and cut in sunder the sole of his foot, and losing much blood he was at the point to die. 2 And when there was a tumult and concourse, the young child Jesus also ran thither, and by force passed through the multitude, and took hold upon the foot of the young man that was smitten, and straightway it was healed. And he said unto the young man: Arise now and cleave the wood and remember me. But when the multitude saw what was done they worshipped the young child, saying: Verily the spirit of God dwelleth in this young child.

XI. 1 Now when he was six years old, his mother sendeth him to draw water and bear it into the house, and gave him a pitcher: but in the press he struck it against another and the pitcher was broken. 2 But Jesus spread out the garment which was upon him and filled it with water and brought it to his mother. And when his mother saw what was done she kissed him; and she kept within herself the mysteries which she saw him do.

Like followers of Jesus today, early Christians were interested in the lost early years of Jesus and the details of his childhood. The New Testament Gospels are very light on details until his baptism, when Jesus was about thirty years old. We have the infancy narratives, from Luke and Matthew, and his trip to Jerusalem at age twelve where his parents lose track of him on their way home. Other than those scant stories, we are left wondering if his powers to heal and to save were present throughout his life. As such, stories of his miracles performed as a child began to circulate. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas is one of those accounts.

When we read texts like this, questions come to our minds – questions like  which Thomas is this they are speaking about? There was already a legend about Judas Thomas, who was reportedly Jesus’ (twin) brother. It is not certain if that Thomas, and the Thomas of the Infancy narratives are one and the same Thomas. If this account is written by the brother of Jesus, then we would have an impeccable source for accurate details. This gospel tells of miraculous tricks he does for his friends – he even corrects a mistake his father Joseph makes in building a bed for a rich customer. If these are true stories, they are fascinating glimpses into the early life of Jesus – and I believe many of us would like to have a glimpse into the early years of Jesus’ life. Whether true or not, they help us to see both the humanity and the divinity of a young Jesus.

Pastor Dave

April 29, 2021 — The Proto Gospel of James

“And there was a council of the priests, saying: Let us make a veil 
for the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Call to me the undefiled virgins of the family of David. And the officers went away, and sought, and found seven virgins. And the priest remembered the child Mary, that she was of the family of David, and undefiled before God. And the officers went away and brought her. And they brought them into the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Choose for me by lot who shall spin the gold, and the white, (4) and the fine linen, and the silk, and the blue, (5) and the scarlet, and the true purple. (6) And the true purple and the scarlet fell to the lot of Mary, and she took them, and went away to her house. And at that time Zacharias was dumb, and Samuel was in his place until the time that Zacharias spake. And Mary took the scarlet, and span it.    11. And she took the pitcher, and went out to fill it with water. And, behold, a voice saying: Hail, thou who hast received grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! (7) And she looked round, on the right hand and on the left, to see whence this voice came. And she went away, trembling, to her house, and put down the pitcher; and taking the purple, she sat down on her seat, and drew it out. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before her, saying: Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found grace before the Lord of all, and thou shalt conceive, according to His word. And she hearing, reasoned with herself, saying: Shall I conceive by the Lord, the living God? and shall I bring forth as every woman brings forth? And the angel of the Lord said: Not so, Mary; for the power of the Lord shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of the Most High. And thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. And Mary said: Behold, the servant of the Lord before His face: let it be unto me according to thy word.” (Proto Gospel of James)

This book is called a “Proto-Gospel” because it narrates events that took place prior to Jesus’ birth. The ancient manuscripts that contain this book go by the names of “The Birth of Mary” and “The Birth of Mary: The Revelation of James”. In this proto gospel, the author is believed to be a son to Joseph by a previous marriage. This book provides accounts of Mary the mother of Jesus, including 1.) her miraculous birth to a wealthy Jew, Joachim and his wife Anna; 2.) her marriage at the age of twelve to Joseph, an older widower miraculously chosen to be her husband; and 3.) the birth of Jesus in a cave outside of Bethlehem, to name a few.

The Proto-Gospel talks a lot about Joseph’s previous marriage and his grown sons – Mary’s work as a seamstress for the curtain in the Temple, and how time stopped when Jesus was born into the world.

If you think about it, wouldn’t it make sense that time stood still when Jesus was born? At his birth, all of time was compressed into the now – from creation to the present – that was the importance of the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the World. I often preach that it appears to me that time stands still every December 24/25 – if then, then why not now? Although we know very little about Mary, Joseph and Jesus, this family chosen by G-d to bear the Savior of the World, one day we will know exactly how and why. But for now, these stories enrich our lives and our faith.

Pastor Dave