The Sayings Gospel

114 sayings of 'the living Jesus' without narrative—emphasizing self-knowledge, the kingdom within, and mystical interpretation—discovered at Nag Hammadi, possibly early 2nd century

Mary Magdalene's Gospel

Mary Magdalene receives secret visions from risen Jesus, Peter disputes her authority as a woman, Levi defends her saying 'the Savior loved her more than us'

Sacramental Theology

Gnostic-Christian sacramental theology emphasizing spiritual marriage, bridal chamber mysteries, and Jesus kissing Mary Magdalene 'often on the mouth' as his companion

Secret Book of John

Risen Jesus reveals to John an elaborate gnostic cosmology—divine Sophia's fall, the evil demiurge Yaldabaoth creating matter, and humanity's imprisonment requiring gnosis for escape

Valentinian Meditation

Valentinian gnostic meditation on Jesus bringing knowledge (gnosis) to dispel ignorance, error, and the nightmare of material existence—possibly by Valentinus himself

Faith-Wisdom

Risen Jesus teaches disciples for 22 years revealing elaborate aeon cosmology, Sophia's fall and restoration, soul's journey through archons, with Mary Magdalene as primary questioner

Secret Book of James

Post-resurrection dialogue where Jesus privately instructs James and Peter in esoteric teachings on martyrdom, prophecy, and the kingdom—discovered at Nag Hammadi

Secret Words of the Savior

Risen Jesus instructs his twin Thomas on rejecting bodily passions before his ascension—those enslaved to desire will burn, those who overcome will find rest

Coptic Gnostic Ritual Texts

Two Coptic ritual books attributed to Jesus revealing the structure of divine realms, passwords and seals needed to pass through heavenly archons, and secret baptismal rites

Nag Hammadi Revelation

Fragmentary dialogue between Jesus, Matthew, Judas, and Mary Magdalene on prayer, the soul's ascent, the end of this age, and escaping the powers of darkness

Allegory of the Fallen Soul

Allegorical narrative of the soul as a woman who falls from her Father's house into prostitution, is rescued through repentance, and reunited with her true heavenly bridegroom

Questions of Bartholomew

Bartholomew questions the risen Jesus about the harrowing of hell, Mary's conception, and Satan—Beliar is summoned, bound, and reveals the number of souls lost each day

Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit

Sethian Gnostic creation myth tracing the divine Seth's three descents into the world, the origins of baptism, and the salvation of the holy seed from the powers of chaos

Reality of the Rulers

Gnostic retelling of Genesis revealing the archons' failed attempt to create and control humanity, Norea's defiance of the rulers, and an angel's explanation of the true cosmos

Gnostic Cosmogony

Encyclopedic Gnostic account of creation from primordial chaos through the demiurge's ignorance, the Edenic drama, and the final conflagration that will restore the divine order

Wisdom of Jesus Christ

Risen Jesus answers twelve disciples' and seven women's questions about the nature of the universe, the Immortal Man, and how souls can return to the divine realm

The Divine Feminine Voice

Enigmatic Nag Hammadi poem spoken by a divine feminine voice delivering paradoxical self-declarations—'I am the whore and the holy one'—one of antiquity's most arresting texts

Valentinian Theology

Longest and most systematic Valentinian Gnostic treatise—the Father, Son, and Church; Logos's fall and repentance; three classes of humanity; and the final restoration of all things

Song of the Soul

Allegorical poem embedded in Acts of Thomas—a prince sent to Egypt to retrieve a pearl forgets his mission, is awakened by a letter from home, and returns triumphant to his Father's kingdom

The Lost Books of the Bible: The Complete Guide with Summaries

Everything You Want to Know About Forbidden Christian Texts in Plain English

The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs

Deathbed Testaments of Jacob's Sons with Complete Modern Translation