Irenaeus (130-202 AD): John's Gospel written to refute Gnosticism - Kegan Chandler

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What do Synoptic Gospels say about Jesus?

The Synoptic Gospels portray Jesus as a prophet, hero and martyr - not as a God who became a Man, was sacrificed and rose again for the salvation of humanity.

2.What did Apostle Paul think of his fellow Gospel writers?

3.How did Matthew (Gospel) support Apostle Pauline Christian doctrine?

It did not! Matthew (85 CE) was written for Jewish-Christians who observed the Law and did not wish to break away from Judaism. Matthew is in complete opposition to Pauline doctrine.

4.When were the Gospels written?

Not a single one of the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses.
Not one of the Gospels was written in the lifetime of Jesus, the earliest known Gospel recounting the life of Jesus came 30-35 years after his ministry - this being the Gospel of Mark.

5.What did Apostle Paul say about the other gospels?

Paul rebuked other gospel writers.

6.Who wrote John's gospel?

The writer of John is believed to be a Greek convert and he often shows a lack of knowledge of Judaism and the Torah; and even shows a disrespect for the Jews, as he uses the term "Jews" as a slur over 60 times in the Gospel of John alone.

7.What were the Apocryphal Gospels?

Apocrypha are works, usually written works, that are of unknown authorship, or of doubtful authenticity, or spurious, or not considered to be within a particular canon.

The Apocrypha (Greek for 'hidden away') are revered Biblical text which were excluded from the canon Bible. They were literally hidden away from the early Christians, and tell a very different story of Jesus.

Gospel of Nazoreans
Gospel of Ebionites
Gospel of Egyptians
Gospel of Peter
Gospel of Thomas
Gospel of Hebrews

8.What is the significance of the Gospel of Thomas?

Thomas is the most important non-canonical Gospel recently discovered in the last century. It positively features in current studies of Christian origins and the historical Jesus.

Gospel of Thomas with sayings of Jesus is thought to be earliest written record of his life produced within ten years of his death.

9.How was the Gospel of John viewed?

In the 2nd century, some Christians felt John gospel was so different in tone and approach in comparison to the other three synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke); it should have been excluded from the cannon.

10.In 325 AD, did Emperor Constantine burn gospels, writings and religious text?

The books of Arius and his followers, after the first Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.), were burned for heresy by the Roman emperors Constantine, Honorius, and Theodosius I, who published a decree commanding that, "the doctrine of the Trinity should be embraced by those who would be called catholics; that all others should bear the infamous name of heretics".