Forgotten Gospel

Jesus called only one message "gospel" the Kingdom of God. Mark said at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God, saying "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." When demons saw the new King, they trembled and cried out, "Have you come to destroy us?" After three years of preaching His kingdom, Jesus promised, "This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the earth ..." In the book of Acts, "They believed Philip preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God ..." Forgotten Gospel investigates: - How and when our modern gospel began to drift from that of Scripture. - Where the bible of Judaism specifically defined "the kingdom of God." - How the Gospel of the kingdom illuminates the atonement messages of the apostles.

Waiting to be rediscovered in the British Library is an ancient manuscript of the early Church, copied by an anonymous monk. The manuscript is at least 1,450 years old, possibly dating to the first century. And now, The Lost Gospel provides the first ever translation from Syriac into English of this unique document that tells the inside story of Jesus’ social, family, and political life.The Lost Gospel takes the reader on an unparalleled historical adventure through a paradigm shifting manuscript. What the authors eventually discover is as astounding as it is surprising: the confirmation of Jesus’ marriage to Mary Magdalene; the names of their two children; the towering presence of Mary Magdalene; a previously unknown plot on Jesus’ life (thirteen years prior to the crucifixion); an assassination attempt against Mary Magdalene and their children; Jesus’ connection to political figures at the highest level of the Roman Empire; and a religious movement that antedates that of Paul—the Church of Mary Magdalene.Part historical detective story, part modern adventure, The Lost Gospel reveals secrets that have been hiding in plain sight for millennia.

Presents the original teachings of Jesus written by his contemporaries and early followers

The Forgotten Gospels shows how the creation of the canon that we now take for granted excluded many important, informative, and illuminating writings about the life, death, and teachings of Jesus. Here are texts newly translated from their original Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Slavonic, and Coptic and accompanied by clear, concise explanations of their origins and relevance. Together, they form a supplement to the New Testament that will set the record straight. The materials have survived in fragments and snippets, some only discovered in modern times (the gospel of Thomas turned up in 1945), others via the writings of early Christians. Many will challenge: The gospel of the Hebrews introduces an alternative account of the resurrection; Clement of Alexandria writes of and quotes from a secret gospel of Mark; Celsus claims that Mary had an adulterous affair with Panthera and the result was Jesus—all will be of intense interest. No text of any consequence from the earlier period relating to the historical Jesus has been omitted. They provide one last, unexpected window onto his life and teachings.

Darrell L. Bock suggests the real lost gospel is the one already found in the Bible and reminds everyone of what it means: good news. --from publisher description.

An accessible translation of this important lost gospel of the Bible, with an account if its reconstruction and analysis of its far-reaching implications. This is the first full account of the lost gospel of Jesus’ original followers, revealing him to be a Jewish Socrates who was mythologized into the New Testament Christ. Compiled by his followers during his lifetime, the Book of Q (from Quelle, German for source) became the prime foundation for the New Testament gospels. Once lost, it has now been reconstructed through a century of scholarship. Instead of telling a dramatic story about Jesus’ life as the Christian gospels do, the Book of Q contained only his sayings. The first followers of Jesus focused not upon his life and destiny, but on the social experiment called for by his teachings. Their book collected his proverbs, aphorisms, and parables to offer instruction in living authentically in the midst of a most confusing time. In presenting his own translation, Burton Mack explains how the text of Q was determined and explores the implications of the discovery that Jesus was transformed into the dying and rising messianic savior of Christianity by the New Testament gospels.

'It has been slowly dawning on me over many years that there is a fundamental problem deep at the heart of Christian faith and practice as I have known them . . . we have all forgotten what the four Gospels are about.' With that surprising assertion, Tom Wright launches this ground-breaking work in which he helps us to see the gospel story in radically a new light, and to acknowledge that, for many generations, the Church has been avoiding its full impact and holding back from proclaiming its full meaning. 'Classic Wright: clear, accessible, robust, engaging and challenging.' Paula Gooder in Third Way 'Scholarly, accessible, insightful and provocative.' Christianity 'Wright argues compellingly that the twin themes of kingdom and cross are inseparably linked. . . This is a much-needed reorientation. The book makes its case for 'rethinking' cogently and deserves widespread attention.' Theology

With little or no agreement on the deeper meanings of the gospel of Christ and what it truly means to bear the name Christian, the contemporary church in the United States is in fragmented disarray. Much of our time and energy in church is spent on what others say or think about Christ, often neglecting to focus on his own words. Church problems today frequently arise because we have failed to follow Christ's teachings, preferring to emphasize other biblical passages and looking in the wrong places for our directions. When we return our focus and attention consistently to what Christ has said and discover what it truly means to "take his yoke and learn" from him, today's Christian and today's church will be capable of fulfilling their mission and calling. While exploring the historical and sociological backdrop that precipitated the Church's current confusion and brokenness, this book examines scriptural passages essential to providing a Christ-centered gospel and restoring the concept of vital Christianity. This book results from a lifetime of contemplation on the role of Christianity and the church in today's society and what it means to be truly Christian in today's world. It is my hope that this book will make a difference, bringing about a more Christ-centered Church. Let me behold thy face O blessed Master, O let me see thy beauty and be blessed.