Billed as the most important Coptic discovery found since the Nag Hammadi scripts found in 1945, (Polish) Egyptologists have uncovered a set of three ancient (6th Century AD) Coptic manuscripts in a tomb in Luxor, Egypt.
Nag-Hammadi manuscripts (Courtesy: Gnosis Archive)
Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities head Dr. Zahi Hawas said one of the manuscripts is 22.5 centimeters by 17 centimeters (nine by seven inches) and three centimeters thick. The second has 50 pages and a cover made of skin with ornaments, while the third (which also has 50 pages) is in a poorer state.
The experts will try to decipher the manuscripts, which should shed some interesting light on early Christianity. The Naga Hammadi manuscripts contain a large number of primary Gnostic scriptures; texts once thought to have been entirely destroyed during the early Christian struggle to define "orthodoxy" -- scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. Perhaps some such interesting documents will be deciphered from this batch, which will open up some new chapter in history.
Nag-Hammadi manuscripts (Courtesy: Gnosis Archive)
Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities head Dr. Zahi Hawas said one of the manuscripts is 22.5 centimeters by 17 centimeters (nine by seven inches) and three centimeters thick. The second has 50 pages and a cover made of skin with ornaments, while the third (which also has 50 pages) is in a poorer state.
The experts will try to decipher the manuscripts, which should shed some interesting light on early Christianity. The Naga Hammadi manuscripts contain a large number of primary Gnostic scriptures; texts once thought to have been entirely destroyed during the early Christian struggle to define "orthodoxy" -- scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. Perhaps some such interesting documents will be deciphered from this batch, which will open up some new chapter in history.
Ancient Coptic Manuscripts
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4 Comments:
It would be fascinating reading nonetheless, even differing translations should be illuminating.
All these early gnostic texts stressed a direct connection to god. Somehow, the church has inserted themselves in between. Too bad people dont see the irony in a rich church 'spreading' the (so-called) word of Jesus.
But of course, you have to defer some respect to the historians, as they are the people who know the most. Just as you would defer to your car mechanic if you know nothing about cars! But you can and should always ask questions, and keep an open mind.
I don't think there's a conspiracy, here.
I'm very much interested in this kind of thing.
As some will no doubt know by now, I have several issues with religion . most of which are the size of small countries.
But there's no denying the cohesive force of early religion on human society.
This could offer us yet more insight...
Hopefully, it will shed some light on the politics of the day, or some passages which have long been excised from the 'official' bible.
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