Questions & Answers – Apocryphal/Apocalyptic Writings
Paul and Thecla What do scholars think about Paul's views on marriage as described in the Acts of Thecla? Carpocratians In relation to the Secret Gospel of Mark, Clement attacks a group known as the Carpocratians. Who were they, and why was he upset with them? Sethian Gnostics In reading about the Gospel of Judas, I keep coming across the term "Sethian Gnostics" as though this is some specific group within Gnosticism. Were they, and if they were, what set them apart from other Gnostic groups? Thomas the Twin I've heard several people say that scholars think the author of the Gospel of Thomas was Jesus' twin brother. Why on earth would anybody think that? 1 and 2 Maccabees Given the amount of history in 1 and 2 Maccabees, why aren't they part of the canon? False Witnesses In the story of Susanna, the evil judges are put to death for bearing false witness against her. Was this really the practice? 1 Esdras Why wasn't 1 Esdras included in the biblical canon? Gog and Magog In Revelation 20:7 it states, "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth — God and Magog — to gather them for battle." What do we know about these nations? The Significance of 666 In Revelation 13:17-18 we read about the name and the number of the beast. The number is 666. What does this mean? Book of Revelation In Sunday school last Sunday, one of my High school kids wanted to know about the seven last plagues and why God sent these plagues? And if God is Love, how could he do this? |
