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The New Testament Apocryphal books, often discovered long after the canonical texts, have raised considerable debate concerning their authenticity and inspiration. Some ask, “How do we know that these documents, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Secret Book of James, and the Dialogue of the Savior, are not divinely inspired?” This question deserves careful examination. Upon reviewing the content and doctrinal teachings of these books, it becomes clear that they are in conflict with the teachings found in the accepted New Testament texts. These apocryphal writings often present distorted views of Christ, His apostles, and essential biblical doctrines. In this article, we will critique three such apocryphal works and demonstrate why they cannot be considered divinely inspired.

The Gospel of Thomas: A Challenge to Christ’s Authority

The Gospel of Thomas, discovered in 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, is often hailed by some as a lost gospel, with the potential to reveal secret teachings of Jesus. However, a careful reading reveals numerous doctrinal discrepancies with the established biblical canon. One significant issue is the elevated status given to James the Just, which contradicts the teachings of the New Testament.

In Thomas 12:1-2, we read, “The disciples said to Jesus, ‘We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?’ Jesus said to them, ‘No matter where you are, you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being.’” This passage suggests that James the Just has a special role in creation, claiming that “heaven and earth came into being for James the Just.” Such a claim directly contradicts the New Testament teaching about the central role of Jesus Christ in creation. In Colossians 1:16, the apostle Paul asserts, “For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” The idea that heaven and earth were created for James, as stated in the Gospel of Thomas, is in direct conflict with this foundational teaching of the New Testament.

Furthermore, in Revelation 21:14, the apostle John describes the heavenly city, saying, “The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” In this description, James the Just, despite his importance, holds no more rank than the other apostles. The Gospel of Thomas’ exaltation of James above all others is not consistent with biblical theology and undermines the exclusive centrality of Jesus Christ.

Another troubling passage in the Gospel of Thomas appears in verse 114, where Simon Peter reportedly says, “Make Mary leave us, for females don’t deserve life.” Jesus allegedly responds, “Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the domain of heaven.” This dialogue reveals a highly negative and distorted view of women, which stands in stark contrast to the treatment of women by Jesus and His apostles in the canonical Gospels. For instance, in Acts 9:36-41, Peter performs a miracle to restore the life of a woman named Tabitha. There is no indication in this passage that Peter held any view that women were undeserving of life. Similarly, in the Gospels, Jesus consistently shows care and compassion toward women, such as His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42) and His healing of the woman with a blood issue (Mark 5:24-34). Additionally, Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The Gospel of Thomas, with its anti-female sentiments, is not consistent with the teachings of the New Testament.

The Secret Book of James: Rejecting False Teachings

The Secret Book of James (SBJ), another text found in Nag Hammadi in 1945, presents a private revelation from Jesus to His disciples Peter and James. This book offers another view of the relationship between reason and the spiritual life that conflicts with Scripture.

In SBJ 3:18, Jesus allegedly says, “Therefore [become] full of the spirit but lacking in reason. For reason is of the soul, indeed it is soul.” This statement is in stark contrast to the teachings found in the New Testament, where reason is valued. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter encourages believers to “always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.” Similarly, the apostle Paul frequently uses reason in his ministry, as seen in Acts 18:4, where it is recorded that Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” The idea that reason is a hindrance to spiritual life, as proposed in the SBJ, is unbiblical and contradicts the New Testament’s emphasis on the use of reason in faith and evangelism.

Further troubling teachings arise in SBJ 5:3-6, where Jesus allegedly instructs His disciples to “Become seekers of death…for none will be saved who are afraid of death.” This teaching does not align with biblical doctrine. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 6:5, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave, who shall give thee thanks?” The Bible speaks of death as an enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26), not as something to be sought after. The concept of seeking death for spiritual enlightenment, as found in the SBJ, is not supported by the teachings of Scripture.

Moreover, in SBJ 5:6, Jesus allegedly says, “Become better than I; be like the son of the holy spirit!” The notion that anyone can be “better than Jesus” is blasphemous and unbiblical. Hebrews 1:3-4 asserts the absolute superiority of Jesus, saying, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” No human being, whether an apostle or otherwise, can be “better” than Jesus.

The Dialogue of the Savior: Scientific Error and Doctrinal Conflict

The Dialogue of the Savior (DTS), written around 150 C.E., is another apocryphal work discovered in Nag Hammadi. This text presents a dialogue between Jesus and His disciples. However, it contains a glaring scientific error, which further undermines its credibility.

In DTS 15:4-6, it is claimed, “When a word comes forth from the Majesty, it will come upon that which supports heaven and the earth. For the earth [itself] does not move – if it moved it would fall – but (it does not fall) so that the first word might not be nullified.” This teaching is in direct contradiction to the biblical description of the earth in Job 26:7, where it is stated, “He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.” The Bible teaches that the earth is suspended in space, a view that was confirmed long before modern science discovered the Earth’s position in the universe. The claim in DTS that the earth does not move contradicts both biblical teachings and established scientific understanding.

Furthermore, Isaiah 40:22 describes the earth as “he who sits above the circle of the earth,” indicating the earth’s spherical shape. The description in DTS reflects an outdated, incorrect view of the earth, which further distances this apocryphal book from biblical truth.

Conclusion: The Rejection of Apocryphal Books

The critique of these three New Testament apocryphal books – the Gospel of Thomas, the Secret Book of James, and the Dialogue of the Savior – demonstrates that they stand in stark contrast to the teachings of the canonical New Testament. They contain doctrinal errors, conflicts with established biblical truths, and in some cases, blasphemous claims about Christ and His apostles. The rejection of these books as divinely inspired is not based on arbitrary dismissal but is grounded in their failure to align with the truth revealed in the Bible. The absence of these books in early Christian manuscripts, their late discovery, and their conflicting teachings all contribute to the conclusion that they do not belong alongside the inspired Word of God.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).