Why Certain Gospels Were Excluded and the Impact on Christianity

Throughout history, the books included in the Bible have sparked considerable debate and curiosity. Many wonder why certain gospels were excluded from the canon, and what impact these missing texts might have had on modern Christianity. With a vast repository of literary works and ancient manuscripts, it's no surprise that the current 66-book Protestant Bible appears incomplete to some.

Variety of Gospel Writings

People often mistakenly believe that there were only a handful of gospels, but in reality, there were numerous books and writings attributed to the life and teachings of Jesus. By some estimates, there were around 800 men who wrote thousands of gospel manuscripts. However, only a small fraction of these writings made it into the Bible as we know it today. This raises a significant question: how can we explain the difference?

Given the hundreds of thousands of variants in the Bible today, one might reasonably expect a larger and more diverse collection of gospel texts. Interestingly, the New Testament only includes about 70 sayings of Jesus, as documented in the Gospel of Thomas, which contains nearly 114 sayings. This disparity is further highlighted by the inclusion of the Book of Enoch, which was once part of the canon but is now largely dismissed as apocryphal.

The Excavation of Biblical Manuscripts

For those eager to learn more about the creation and selection process of the Bible, numerous documentaries and linguistic research are available. For instance, a search on Tubi TV or YouTube reveals a variety of resources, including documentaries that delve into the history and composition of the Bible. These sources often highlight the discovery of ancient Bibles, which included manuscripts that are now little known to contemporary Christians.

One such documentary showcased four writings that were no longer included in most modern Bibles, illustrating the vast wealth of lost and overlooked texts. These manuscripts offer a tantalizing glimpse into the rich tapestry of early Christian literature, some of which were excluded for various reasons.

Exclusion of Non-Canonical Gospels

The gospels excluded from the canon were often deemed non-canonical for specific reasons. Many of these writings were either written by individuals who were not closely associated with Christ or his immediate disciples. As a result, they were not widely used or accepted in the early church. These texts can be seen as 'fan fiction' or propaganda, reflecting the theological views of their authors and somewhat divorced from traditional Christian narratives.

The Role of the Early Church

Contrary to popular belief, the early church did not have a centralized authority as we do today. Instead, it consisted of various independent churches, each worshiping Jesus in their own way. It was not until later periods that a centralized church authority emerged. When the canon of scripture was finally set, it included only the writings that had already been widely accepted by the churches as inspired Scripture.

It's important to note that no gospels were truly left out; rather, many apocryphal and Gnostic writings were excluded as they were not deemed authoritative or inspired. Some of these texts were dismissed early on as heretical, such as the Gnostic gospels, which were recognized as non-canonical much sooner than many other manuscripts.

Conclusion

The exclusion of certain gospels from the Bible didn't necessarily mean the absence of these texts; rather, it reflects the careful selection process that emerged from the early church's efforts to establish a unified and authoritative canon. This process helped to distinguish between inspired texts and non-canonical works, ensuring that the Bible maintained a consistent and coherent message for future generations.

Understanding the reasons behind the exclusion of certain gospels can provide valuable insights into the history and development of Christianity. Whether you believe these texts should have been included or not, the story of the Bible's evolution is a fascinating and complex narrative that offers much to explore and ponder.