For centuries, humans have been reading the Bible in search of spiritual truth and guidance. But what if we told you other books were contained in the Bible — books that were taken out, hidden, or lost? These are referred to as the “Lost Books of the Bible.”
Many people wonder: Why were these books taken out? What secrets do they hold? Were they hidden on purpose? In this blog post, we’ll explore these mysterious texts, why they were banned, and what truths they may reveal.
What Are the Lost Books of the Bible?
The Lost Books of the Bible are old books not found in the Bible that most individuals read today. The books were usually written during the same period as the Old and New Testaments. Others were even read and accepted by early Jews and Christians.
But then, after a while, religious leaders decided what books to include in the Bible. Some they accepted, and some they excluded. The excluded books are now referred to as “apocryphal” (hidden), “deuterocanonical” (second canon), or “pseudepigrapha” (falsely written).
Some of the most famous lost books are:
- The Book of Enoch
- The Gospel of Thomas
- The Book of Jubilees
- The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
- The Apocalypse of Peter
Each of these writings gives a unique view of God, angels, creation, and Jesus’ teachings.
Why Were These Books Removed?
There are numerous reasons why some books were omitted from the Bible. These are the primary ones:
1. Too Strange or Mystical
Certain books, such as the Book of Enoch, tell of angels visiting the Earth, giant creatures (Nephilim), and trips to paradise. These accounts were deemed too bizarre, mystical, or perilous for ordinary believers.
2. Didn’t Match Church Teachings
Some books did not uphold the official teachings of the Church. For instance, the Gospel of Thomas has sayings of Jesus, but it does not talk about His death or His resurrection. The Gospel of Mary puts greater emphasis on a female disciple — a development which many early Church leaders were not yet willing to accept.
3. Written Too Late
A few books were composed much later than the days of the apostles. Leaders of the church felt that only the earliest writings were reliable. Later writings were considered to be less reliable, even though they might be spiritually significant.
4. Power and Politics
Regrettably, some decisions were not necessarily about truth but about authority. By deciding which books to include, leaders in religious and political arenas were able to control what people thought and acted on.
The Council of Nicaea and the Formation of Canons
In 325 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine summoned Christian bishops to the Council of Nicaea. Although this council didn’t determine the complete Bible, it initiated the formation of one “official” set of holy books.
During the next several hundred years, the leaders argued about what books to retain and what books to remove. By the 4th century, the Bible used today (with 66 books in the Protestant version and 73 books in the Catholic version) was largely complete.
This implies that numerous other books — formerly beloved and shared — were instantly no longer included within the sacred text. Some were lost, others were banned, and a few were even destroyed.
Read:more Was Tutankhamun’s Curse Scientific?
What’s Inside the Lost Books?
Let us just take a glance at what these books contain. Here are a few examples:
1. The Book of Enoch
This book discusses angels who descended from heaven and had children with mortal women. Their offspring were giants known as the Nephilim. The great-grandfather of Noah, Enoch, is brought to heaven and taught the mysteries of the world.
2. The Gospel of Thomas
This is not a storybook but provides 114 sayings of Jesus. Some of these are close to the Bible, but others are cryptic. One well-known saying is: “Split a piece of wood, and I am there.” This implies that God is present in all things.
3. The Gospel of Mary
This gospel presents Mary Magdalene as a wise and powerful follower of Jesus. She reveals secret teachings that were given to her by Jesus — something that shocked many of the early male leaders in the Church.
4. The Apocalypse of Peter
This is among the very oldest descriptions of Heaven and Hell. It depicts people being punished in gruesome ways, similar to what we find in later Christian concepts of hell.
Are These Books “True”?
This is the big question. Some folks think the Bible is the only true Word of God. So anything outside of it has to be false.
But others tell us that truth comes in many forms. Just because something is not in the Bible doesn’t mean it is not of use. Because, after all, these books were penned by men and women of great faith. They show us how early Christian and Jewish thought worked.
Scholars now examine these books in order to know how beliefs have progressed through time. It is even believed by some that banning these books probably limited our knowledge of God, Jesus, and the spiritual realm.
Why People Are Interested Again
During the past 100 years, there has been a growing interest in the lost books. The uncovering of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 and the Nag Hammadi Library in Egypt in 1945 uncovered many of those ancient books.
Curiosity exists. Humans want to know what was concealed. They ask:
Did Jesus teach more than what is recorded in the Bible?
Was Mary Magdalene more significant than we have supposed?
Did angels descend to Earth?
Was another message of peace, love, or freedom somehow lost?
Should We Read Them?
If you are fascinated by history, religion, or spirituality, then yes, you ought to read the lost books. But be careful. The books were written many years ago, in another time and in another culture. Some of it is difficult to understand, and some of it will sound odd.
It’s also a nice idea to read them in conjunction with the Bible, so you can contrast and ponder. Ask yourself:
- What rings true?
- tells me more about God?
- What was the author attempting to communicate?
Faith is a journey. These lost books might not be part of every official belief, but they can still impart wisdom.
Final Thoughts: Forbidden Truths?
So, were these books banned to hide forbidden truths? Some believe that. Others say the books were left out for good reason.
But one thing is certain: the missing books of the Bible exist, and they force us to think harder. They challenge us to raise questions, uncover mysteries, and remain open to new concepts.
Finally, the truth is not always simple, and sometimes it is hidden in pages that are forgotten.
