Newly Discovered Gospel Fragment Says Jesus Was Married

[Fpqxz]

The decision about whether this fragment of text (and whatever source text from which it came) is canonical is largely the decision of each denomination.  Remember that the Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental/African Orthodox churches all consider different sets of books to be "official".

That and IIRC it's Coptic, which is viewed as heretical by other forms of Christinity.

The Coptic Church is only one branch of Oriental Orthodoxy, and while it may be considered heretical by some church bodies, I seem to recall some efforts to mend the schism between them and the other Eastern Orthodox churches.

[davedan]

I thought the reference to Coptic was the language it was written in.

[Cerim Treascair]

What if it's ancient fanfiction?

We have Bible fanfiction. It's called Paradise Lost and The Divine Comedy.

This reminds me, I need to read Dante's Inferno again.

Also, for more fanfic:  The Left Behind series.

[Distind]

Also, for more fanfic:  The Left Behind series.

The my immortal of bible fan fiction.

[Yla]

Also, for more fanfic:  The Left Behind series.

The my immortal of bible fan fiction.

/me trying to figure out whether that's an insult to my immortal or Left Behind.

Re topic: Mary Magdala being Jesus' wife is a idea that was accepted in certain circles already before this fragment's discovery, so I'm not surprised in any way. Difference is now they no longer have to rely on 'channeled' scripture for that.
(Yes, there is at least one book where the authors claim to have channeled Mary Magdala's spirit and wrote in first person about her marriage to Jesus, their daughter and what Jesus actually meant. Also, she was an Isis priestess apparently.)

[clockworkgirl21]

I honestly thought Mary Magdalene being Jesus's wife was just something Dan Brown made up.

[Distind]

Nah, someone made it up before him.

Old book, think it's "Holy blood, holy grail" or some such. The guy who wrote it was rather pissed and got a second round of interviews out of the deal when people realized brown really did just rip half his old bullshit and call it fiction.

[RavynousHunter]

What if it's ancient fanfiction?

We have Bible fanfiction. It's called Paradise Lost and The Divine Comedy.

This reminds me, I need to read Dante's Inferno again.

Also, for more fanfic:  The Left Behind series.

More to the list: The Book of Mormon.

[davedan]

Isnt the bible essentially fan fiction anyway. The epistles of Paul certainly are given that he never met Jesus.

[SimSim]

I watched a news segment about this fragment last night and it made one thing clear. That scholars, or at least least legitimate scholars aren't using it as evidence that Jesus had a wife. Rather that for some reason Coptic Christians felt it was important for Jesus to have been married.

The segment if anyone is interested http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/july-dec12/papyrus_09-20.html

[StallChaser]

Because it was cut off, we can say whatever we want about it.

I'd like to believe Jesus was doing stand up and was the first to come up with "Take my wife... PLEASE!"

[rookie]

I'd like to believe Jesus was doing stand up and was the first to come up with "Take my wife... PLEASE!"

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-8G0HCD5U" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-8G0HCD5U</a>

[syaoranvee]

This reminds of the whole Gospel of Judas bit found that went on a few years ago, it will fade into obscurity just as well.

[RavynousHunter]

Judas 6:4, "And, lo, I did give the guards the 30 sheckles of silver to pay off the Lord's debts.  When questioned where they might find me later, to deliver mine receipt, I did answer truthfully."

Judas 6:6, "OH FUCK, THE BASTARDS RAIDED THE PLACE AND TOOK JESUS?  THEY'RE BLAMING ME!  WHATDOIDO?  FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK!"

And that, children, is why we have Easter.

[Vypernight]

There are also the Gnostic Gospels.

In the Gospel of Mary, Mary Magdalene was Jesus' right hand.  Cue updates where she's a prostitute and Paul is descrying that women should not speak up in church.

In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus said your relationship with God is a private, personal one.  Cue the update where Paul declares that 'Good Christians' go to church and give them lots of $.