Random Controversial Versions Of Popular Bible Stories (14 items)

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  (#14) There Are Many Different Versions Of The Apocalypse

  In the Gnostic gospels, there are many visions of the apocalypse. There is also a kind of apocalypse depicted in the "Gospel of Judas," and that may be the most terrifying of them all.

  According to the "Gospel of Judas," humanity is treated like chattel by powerful beings called "archons" that rule the material world. In this cosmology, Jesus is an "aeon," an incarnation of the true spiritual creator of the universe.

  Jesus comes down to Earth to open the eyes of mankind and free them from their slavery. He sets Judas up to betray him so that he will be freed from his physical form. However, by performing this sacrifice, Judas turns humanity over to the other apostles, who are archons. This means that nothing changes. Jesus's mission is thwarted and mankind returns to slavery, in which they will remain.
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  (#1) In The 'Hypostasis Of The Archons,' Noah's Wife Burns Down The Ark

  Noah's wife is unnamed in the Bible, but in the Gnostic gospels she is called Norea. She is Eve's first daughter and has special knowledge and powers. In the Gospel "Hypostasis of the Archons," Norea is a key player in the drama of Noah's ark.

  When Noah is first charged to construct an ark, Norea argues against it. In this gospel, God decides to end mankind not because humans are wicked but because they're growing too wise and God is jealous. Norea objects to the idea of the ark and eventually conspires to burn it down.

  Noah rebuilds the ark, and Norea is targeted by the forces of evil, which are bent on sexually assaulting her. At the last minute, she calls out to God, who sends an angel to protect her.
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  (#7) The 'Second Treatise Of The Great Seth' Claims Someone Took Jesus's Place On The Cross

  The "substitution hypothesis" is one of a number of theories that attempt to scientifically explain the resurrection of Jesus. According to this theory, another person was substituted for Jesus before he was crucified, often said to be named Simon.

  In the "Second Treatise of the Great Seth," Jesus is indeed replaced by a man named Simon. In this version of events, Jesus is not only fine with sending an innocent man to his doom, he thinks it's funny. He is quoted to say:

  Yes, they saw me; they punished me... They struck me with the reed; it was another, Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder. It was another upon Whom they placed the crown of thorns. But I was rejoicing in the height over all the wealth of the archons and the offspring of their error, of their empty glory. And I was laughing at their ignorance.
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  (#2) The 'Apocryphon Of John' Claims Adam And Eve Were Not Material Beings

  Many Gnostic texts focus on cosmology. They tend to feature sweeping hierarchies of gods, angels, and archons (malevolent beings that oversee the material world), with each occupying a distinct place in the Gnostic pantheon.

  In the "Apocryphon of John," this extends to Adam and Eve: They are represented not as flesh-and-blood humans created by God, but as manifestations of psychic energy. Before Adam even appears, God fuses together several abstract concepts, such as foreknowledge, indestructibility, and truth, to help him create Adam. When Adam is finally created, it is as a psychic manifestation of these concepts.
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  (#11) Young Jesus Slays Another Boy For Bumping Into Him In The 'Infancy Gospel Of Thomas'

  The "Infancy Gospel of Thomas" covers a period of Jesus's life largely ignored by the canonical gospels: his childhood and upbringing. However, even the most forgiving Christian would have a problem with the depiction.

  In the "Infancy Gospel," Jesus is powerful even as a child, but he does not always use that power to do good. At one point, he is walking through the village and a young boy bumps into him. Rather than shrug off the misunderstanding, Jesus says, "Thou shalt not finish thy course," and the boy falls dead on the spot.

  Unfortunately, that's not the end of it. After the boy's parents complain to Joseph, Jesus strikes them blind.
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  (#4) The 'Hypostasis Of The Archons' Discusses Sophia, Another Creator Who Inhabited Eden's Serpent

  The "Hypostasis of the Archons" literally means "the reality of the rulers." It includes an array of spiritual entities, including another creator, Pistis Sophia, an incorruptible celestial force who seems to be a kind of distant consort of God. Indeed, she is so central she is called the "female spiritual principle."

  In this Gnostic text, Sophia takes the form of the serpent in Eden and approaches Eve. Sophia convinces Eve to eat the fruit of the tree, causing her expulsion from paradise. After she is done speaking to Eve, the spirit of Sophia abandons the snake, causing it to collapse on the ground.

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