Secret Gospel Of Mark (Jesus, ritual, reject, Kingdom, beliefs)

[A. Ben-Shema]

In 1958 professor Morton Smith of Columbia University discovered, in an ancient Christian monastery near Jerusalem, a copy of a previously unknown letter written by Clement [3rd Century AD Bishop of Alexandria] to someone named Theodore, and containing a fragment of a “Secret” Gospel of Mark. From the contents of the letter it seems that Clement had previously received a communication from Theodore complaining of a sect of pseudo-gnostics called Carpocratians (named after their leader: Carpocrates). Apparently, these Carpocratians had obtained a copy of this ‘Secret Gospel’ and were misinterpreting it according to their own false beliefs. In Clement’s reply to Theodore, he states:
“[As for] Mark, then, during Peter’s stay in Rome he wrote [an account of] the Lord’s doings, not, however, declaring all [of them], nor yet hinting of the secret [ones], but selecting those he thought most useful for increasing the faith of those who were being instructed. But when Peter died as a martyr, Mark came over to Alexandria, bringing both his own notes and those of Peter, from which he transferred to his former book the things suitable to whatever makes for progress towards Knowledge [gnosis]. [Thus] he composed a more Spiritual Gospel for the use of those who were being perfected. Nevertheless, he yet did not divulge the things not to be uttered, nor did he write down the hierophantic teaching of the Lord, but to the stories already written he added yet others and, moreover, brought in certain sayings of which he knew the interpretation would, as a mystagogue, lead the hearers into the innermost sanctuary of that Truth hidden by seven [veils]. Thus, in sum, he prearranged matters, neither grudgingly nor incautiously, in my opinion, and, dying, he left his composition to the church in Alexandria, where it even yet is most carefully guarded, being read only to those who are being initiated into the great Mysteries.

But since the foul demons are always devising destruction for the race of men, Carpocrates, instructed by them and using deceitful arts, so enslaved a certain presbyter of the church in Alexandria that he got from him a copy of the Secret Gospel, which he both interpreted according to his blasphemous and carnal doctrine and, moreover, polluted, mixing with the spotless and holy words utterly shameless lies. From this mixture is drawn off the teaching of the Carpocratians.”

A little later in his letter, Clement actually quotes a short, but important passage from this Secret Gospel itself:
“And they came into Bethany, and a certain woman whose brother had died, was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and said to him: ‘Son of David, have mercy on me’. But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near, Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days Jesus told him what to do, and in the evening the youth came to him, wearing a linen cloth over [his] naked [body]. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the Mystery of the Kingdom of God.” (Secret Gospel of MARK).

Prof. Smith, talking of his discovery on a TV documentary, concluded: “A few years after Jesus’ death we hear of disciples baptising converts in His name, but about baptism administered by Jesus himself the Gospels say practically nothing. Why? There is a mystery here! Can it be that Jesus’ baptism was the Mystery? Perhaps the Mystery of the Kingdom of God! In that secret nocturnal initiation, Jesus may have given the initiates a hypnotic experience that would make them share His ascent to the Kingdom of Heaven… He was offering his disciples’ access to the Kingdom of Heaven, not in the far future, but right now!”

The implications of this discovery are a real blow to orthodox Christianity, who have always tried to hide Jesus' Gnostic teachings.

[sojourner]

It's time to play the lightning round of "Let's Defame Orthodoxy."

Thanks for playing. Departing contestants will receive as a parting gift, the exciting home edition of our game.

[A. Ben-Shema]

Originally Posted by sojourner

It's time to play the lightning round of "Let's Defame Orthodoxy."

Thanks for playing. Departing contestants will receive as a parting gift, the exciting home edition of our game.

I would rather call it: Let's get back to TRUTH.

Peace & Love

[UnTheist]

No tenga La Verdad.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by A. Ben-Shema

The implications of this discovery are a real blow to orthodox Christianity, who have always tried to hide Jesus' Gnostic teachings.[i][size=2]

See the Blomberg Review.

[Random]

Whenever this Gnostic Gospel is brought up, the main-stream scholars usually end up gossiping over the issue of whether Jesus was gay and the naked youth his lover...

But of course the passage above is about Jesus initiating a young man in the Mysteries of the Kingdom and the boy is only "naked" in the sense that Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.

Very interesting. Always great fun to meet a Gnostic crusader, OP. Thanks.

[A. Ben-Shema]

Originally Posted by Jay

See the Blomberg Review.

This is really rather silly. You can provide scholarly criticisms which reject Secret Mark, and I can provide scholarly criticisms which accept it, i.e. see http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/secretmark.html
where it states: "Although there has been some controversy over the letter, today it is generally agreed that the letter is authentic correspondence written by Clement."

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by A. Ben-Shema

This is really rather silly.

And not too different from your other posts.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by A. Ben-Shema

You can provide scholarly criticisms which reject Secret Mark, and I can provide scholarly criticisms which accept it, i.e. see http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/secretmark.html
where it states: "Although there has been some controversy over the letter, today it is generally agreed that the letter is authentic correspondence written by Clement."

Your dishonesty is embarrassing and repugnant. The point is not that one can find scholars weighing on on both sides of the issue, but that you pretentiously and deceitfully offered up the document as authenticated fact.