The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles


Read by CJ Plogue

(4.4 stars; 66 reviews)

This is a compilation of ancient books attributed to the writings of the apostles of Jesus Christ and their disciples. These books were once regarded with reverence by the early Christian Church during the first four centuries. After violent disputations by the Bishops of the Nicene Council, these books were forbidden and omitted from the Catholic and Protestant Editions of the New Testament in the reign of the Emperor Constantine. The "Forbidden Books" have been translated from the original tongues, with historical references to their authenticity, BY ARCHBISHOP WAKE AND OTHER LEARNED DIVINES.
- Summary by Paraphrase of the original Archbishop Wake Introduction (0 hr 10 min)

Chapters

Preface 7:31 Read by CJ Plogue
Mary 22:28 Read by CJ Plogue
Protevangelion 39:19 Read by CJ Plogue
Infancy - Chapters I-XI 33:12 Read by CJ Plogue
Infancy - Chapters XII-XXII 31:15 Read by CJ Plogue
Infancy - Young Childhood 6:22 Read by CJ Plogue
Nicodemus - Chapters I-XI 43:30 Read by CJ Plogue
Nicodemus - Chapters XII-XXII 38:36 Read by CJ Plogue
Christ and Abgarus 3:30 Read by CJ Plogue
Laodiceans 3:29 Read by CJ Plogue
Paul and Seneca 13:31 Read by CJ Plogue
Acts of Paul and Thecla 38:25 Read by CJ Plogue
I Clement - Chapters I - XII 35:41 Read by CJ Plogue
I Clement - Chapters XIII - XXIV 41:02 Read by CJ Plogue
II Clement 16:06 Read by CJ Plogue
Barnabas - Chapters I-IX 31:44 Read by CJ Plogue
Barnabas - Chapters X-XV 26:57 Read by CJ Plogue
Ephesians 16:46 Read by CJ Plogue
Magnesians 10:00 Read by CJ Plogue
Trallians 8:51 Read by CJ Plogue
Romans 9:07 Read by CJ Plogue
Philadelphians 9:11 Read by CJ Plogue
Smyrnaeans 10:41 Read by CJ Plogue
Polycarp 9:15 Read by CJ Plogue
Phillipians 14:01 Read by CJ Plogue
I Hermas 42:09 Read by CJ Plogue
II Hermas 47:23 Read by CJ Plogue
III Hermas - Similtudes I-VII 36:13 Read by CJ Plogue
III Hermas - Similtudes VIII & IX, verses 1-100 39:50 Read by CJ Plogue
III Hermas - Similtudes IX, verses 101-280 & X 44:21 Read by CJ Plogue

Reviews

Yet another hidden gem (J.Lundy)


(5 stars)

Excellent book. Anyone who considers themselves a true Christian should read this...

Miss CJP invites with grace as usual :)


(4.5 stars)

Excellent job!

Inconsistent with the rest of the Bible


(3 stars)

It’s easy to understand why this is not included in the Protestant Bible. It reads more like an imaginary yarn than like Scripture. It makes Mary look like a holy saint rather than a common young woman who was surrendered to God’s will.


(4.5 stars)

indeed a companion no doubt hidden a forbidden to continue alongside ones seeking to better know and serve our Creator & those whom we need to serve and hold in better esteem than ourselves.


(2.5 stars)

The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles These books were considered apocryphal and were forbidden. That reminds me of something else that was forbidden as well, a fruit, and what happened? “This is a compilation of ancient books attributed to the writings of the apostles of Jesus Christ and their disciples. These books were once regarded with reverence by the early Christian Church during the first four centuries.” (LibriVox) To me, the information presented in these books was interesting but not surprising. Many chronological gaps, religious practices, and mysterious events contained in the Old and New Testament were meticulously explained in these books. For example, the young childhood life of Jesus is fully described along with His not so ‘holy’ character traits. This provided ‘historical’ continuity based on causality and gave reason to many religions practices. It also raised doubts in the minds of many scholars as to the authenticity of this work. Were some of these ‘dubious’ books written for no other purpose but to fill in chronological gaps? Were they written to explain certain events and practices? Were they written by the person claiming to be the author? Genuine or apocryphal? Some of these texts are considered by modern scholars to be forgery (or not authentic) created in antiquity. How they came to this conclusion is a fascinating study in itself; regardless, even well written forgery created before the fourth century AD makes an excellent reading experience. In my opinion, everyone who is interested in biblical studies should have The Forbidden Gospels and Epistles on their reading list.