#314 Does the Bible Contain the Right Gospels? With Adam Claasen

Jun 19, 2025

Historian Adam Claasen, a New Zealand expert in 20th-century history, dives into the fascinating world of Gnostic gospels. He explores the reasons why only Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John made it into the Bible, shedding light on the historical contexts that differentiate canonical texts from Gnostic alternatives. Claasen critiques popular misconceptions, like those propagated by 'The Da Vinci Code', emphasizing the importance of eyewitness accounts and historical reliability in understanding Jesus. Prepare for a thought-provoking journey through early Christian history!

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INSIGHT

Gnostic Gospels Contrast With Canonical

Gnostic gospels were written later and reflect very different beliefs from the canonical gospels.
They promote secret knowledge and deny key Christian doctrines like Jesus' crucifixion for salvation.

INSIGHT

Beware New 'Secret Knowledge' Claims

Radical reinterpretations often reflect cultural or historical snobbery claiming secret knowledge.
The long history of Christian thought makes new radical claims suspect without strong evidence.

ANECDOTE

Da Vinci Code's Cultural Impact

Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code sold 80 million copies and convinced many of Jesus' marriage and descendants.
The book used selective Gnostic texts without understanding their context, spreading widespread misconceptions.

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The Missing Gospels

Darrell Bock

Gospel of Philip

Robert McLachlan Wilson

Can We Trust the Gospels?

Peter J Williams

Case for the Real Jesus

Lee Strobel

In "The Case for the Real Jesus," Lee Strobel investigates the historical evidence for the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The book examines various historical accounts, archaeological findings, and other evidence to support the claim that Jesus was a real historical figure. Strobel uses his journalistic background to present a compelling case for the authenticity of the Gospels and other historical sources. The book aims to demonstrate that Jesus was not merely a mythical figure but a real person who lived and died, leaving a lasting impact on the world. It challenges readers to consider the implications of accepting Jesus as a historical figure.

The Heresy of Orthodoxy

Michael J. Kruger

The case for Christ

a journalist's personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus

Lee Strobel

In 'The Case for Christ,' Lee Strobel, a former atheist and investigative journalist, conducts a comprehensive investigation into the claims of Jesus Christ. Using his background in law and journalism, Strobel interviews over a dozen experts with doctorates from prestigious institutions like Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis. He delves into questions such as the reliability of the New Testament, the existence of evidence for Jesus outside the Bible, and the validity of Jesus' resurrection. The book is a detailed and readable exploration of the evidence for Christ's divinity, making it a compelling resource for apologetics and those seeking to understand the Christian faith.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail

Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln

Henry Lincoln

Richard Leigh

The book, written by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, presents a controversial hypothesis that Jesus Christ did not die on the cross but lived to marry Mary Magdalene and father children. These children, according to the authors, became part of the Merovingian bloodline in southern France. The book delves into the history of the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion, and other secret societies, suggesting they were involved in protecting and promoting this bloodline. Despite its provocative claims, the book has been criticized by scholars for lacking historical evidence and being classified as pseudohistory[2][5][5].

The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown

In 'The Da Vinci Code', Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris after the murder of the curator, Jacques Saunière. Along with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon embarks on a perilous journey to decipher cryptic clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The plot revolves around an alternative religious history, suggesting that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a child, and their descendants are protected by the Priory of Sion. The novel is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the astonishing conclusion.

Jesus and the Eyewitnesses

Richard Bauckham

Dans "Jesus and the Eyewitnesses", Richard Bauckham soutient que les récits évangéliques reposent sur des témoignages directs de témoins oculaires. Il examine les personnages secondaires nommés dans les évangiles, les procédés littéraires utilisés par les auteurs, et la concordance des noms avec les données démographiques de la Palestine de l'époque. Bauckham réfute l'hypothèse d'une transmission anonyme et collective des traditions, proposant un modèle où des leaders individuels, ayant côtoyé Jésus, ont joué un rôle crucial dans la transmission des récits. Son ouvrage a suscité de nombreux débats dans le milieu académique, remettant en question les interprétations traditionnelles des évangiles. L'approche de Bauckham offre une nouvelle perspective sur l'historicité des évangiles.

The Gospel of Mary

Attributed to Mary Magdalene

The Gospel of Mary is a Gnostic text discovered in 1896 in a fifth-century papyrus codex written in Sahidic Coptic. The text is incomplete, missing several pages, but it provides a unique insight into early Christian controversies and the role of women in early Christianity. It features Mary Magdalene as a key figure who receives special teachings from Jesus through visions. The narrative includes discussions on the nature of matter, sin, and the soul's journey to its final rest. The text challenges orthodox views by presenting Mary as a legitimate leader and teacher among the disciples, despite opposition from Peter and Andrew. It emphasizes inner spiritual knowledge and critiques the suffering and death of Jesus as the path to eternal life, instead focusing on detachment from the physical world and the attainment of inner tranquility[2][3][5].

Gospel of Thomas

Richard Valantasis

The Gospel of Thomas is a non-canonical gospel, meaning it's not included in the Bible. It's a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus, differing significantly in style and content from the canonical gospels. It's considered Gnostic in origin, emphasizing secret knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. Scholars debate its historical accuracy and relationship to the canonical gospels. Its unique perspective offers insights into early Christian thought and diversity. The Gospel of Thomas's focus on spiritual understanding rather than historical narrative sets it apart from the canonical texts.

The Gospel of Barnabas

Lonsdale Ragg

The Gospel of Barnabas is a non-canonical text that presents a radically different version of the events surrounding Jesus's crucifixion. It claims that Judas and Jesus switched places before the betrayal, with Judas being crucified in Jesus's stead. This gospel offers a unique perspective on the identity of the crucified figure and challenges the traditional narrative. It also includes a scene where Jesus ascends to heaven and then requests to return to earth to rectify the situation. The text's unorthodox interpretation of biblical events and its focus on Judas's role make it a controversial but intriguing addition to the extra-biblical literature. It's known for its radical reinterpretation of the crucifixion and its unusual narrative structure.