Number 52: May 14, 2006
 
Recently a decaying copy of the Gospel of Judas, circa 300 A.D., was purchased by a collector from an Egyptian antiquities dealer. It was known because it had been placed on the heretical reading list by the early Church Fathers. It was originally written around 150 A.D. by followers of the sect of Gnosticism.
 
Gnosticism was started by Simon Magus, who is the Simon the Sorcerer of Acts 8. The Greek word for knowledge is gnosis. Ancient Gnostics pursued hidden, esoteric knowledge and claimed to have secret insights into the workings of the universe. This knowledge, in reality, came from Greek philosophers whose teachings they mingled with the teachings of Jesus.
 
Throughout history there has been many non-canonical books written. The Apocrypha books, the Old Testament books of Jasher and Enoch, plus the Gospels of Thomas, Phillip, Peter, Barnabas, Mary Magdalene, Judas Iscariot, and James, the lord’s brother are all spurious, not being inspired by the true God. Many are from a Gnostic viewpoint and conflict with the God-inspired Word.
 
II Timothy 3:16:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
 
II Peter 1:21:
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
 
These writings are insightful by allowing us an inroad into the thinking of the people who lived during the timeframe that these books were written; but they are not God-inspired. At best, they are commentaries or Scriptural interpretations of the times. Just because someone says something “spiritual” or says it is genuine, does not make it inspired of God.
 
II Corinthians 11:3:
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
 
The Adversary’s subtilty, or trickery, or seduction, influenced the fall of mankind. His lies are prevalent throughout much of Christianity today. Many do not believed in the integrity of the Scriptures. Many do not believe that the Bible originally came from The Holy Spirit, God. Thus, it is easy to purport false teachings through various media to unknowing, yet willing recipients.
 
The purpose of the book, The Da Vinci Code, soon to be released on the big screen, is to continue to confuse people into not trusting the Bible as the Word of God. The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. It is not based on truth, but rather on Gnostic beliefs passed down by those who do not believe in the integrity and accuracy of what God wanted preserved in His Word.