In Reply to: Re: The Gnostic Gospels posted by OldtimerToo on June 09, 2004 at 15:27:49:
Thanks for that link Oldtimer Too. It is interesting. However, from my perspective (irreligious, non-Christian) the people behind that site are biased, and, therefore, not the best source as far as objectively analysing and interpreting the historical record. Here's the first part of their mission statement, copied from their website:
Our Mission at XOFC is threefold:
1. Expose the facts, stand up for the Historic Truths of the Christian Faith, and proclaim the Message of the Biblical Truth in Love, to those who are among the Eastern Orthodox Church, primarily by using a) the Bible and b) the historical record which supports the claims of the Protestant Faith.
2. Support other ministries which are discernment and truth-based ministries, assist in equipping them and in finding historical documentation - which will, in turn, help to demonstrate the Historic Truths of the Faith
3. Help in the education of laymen (& Pastors) in all Protestant Groups and Denominations, about the Truths of the Christian Faith, while providing all of the facts and documentation possible, to demonstrate that: 1) the Bible is the accurate and revealed word of God 2) The Bible proclaims an accurate Gospel of Truth and Love (not hate) 3) Christianity and the Bible can withstand any test and provide all of the Documentation necessary, to those who are truly seeking to find Spiritual Truth. (This includes the areas of History, Archeology, Science, Philosophy, etc).
It seems to me they have already made their minds up as to what the "Truth" is and they have a personal stake, i.e., their own salvation, in ensuring that that "Truth" is supported by the historical record. That worries me because it opens the door to intentionly distorting the facts to fit their doctrine. Personally, I would much rather trust objective academic sources whose intention is to discover the factual, historical record regardless of the impact on theology. Know where I can find any?