Have you ever read the Bible from cover to cover? Do you understand the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? Have you ever considered that the Levitical laws had amazing implications for maintaining good health? If not, why are you commenting?
How many articles have you read, written by highly qualified scientists from a creation perspective?
Your choice. Obviously, Q's injunction to "expand your thinking" does not extend beyond your current prejudices.
>and then some. have you read the gospel according to Mary? the gospel according to Judas? have you researched the politics behind the canonization? hmmmmm…?
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>i believe in a Creator, but my opinion is not important here. this is a research board, or used to be…
Before I started to devour the Bible like a man starved of food for months, I personally experienced the amazing freedom that comes with being born again of the Spirit. I cannot deny the life-changing effect without making myself a liar. That was 40 plus years ago and still I come back only to the Bible - nothing else compares. On a daily basis I prove the truth statements in the Bible
I answered your question in a way that you are not prepared to receive.
Only those who still seek for God are compelled to read every text of every false or heretical manmade religion. Those who have experienced the truth no longer need to search amongst the myriad lies to discover it. They KNOW the truth because they are of one spirit IN the truth - Jesus Christ, who said: "I am the way the TRUTH and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me."
I have not read it because as I'm sure you know the word "gospel" means "good news" and relates to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus who died in our place so that God's wrath against sin and evil was satisfied. There is only ONE Gospel and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why would I want to read a bunch of lies?
If you are really interested in knowing God, may I suggest starting here?
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/3254.htm
Although I'd like to bet you'll never read it. You will find some excuse or other as to why reading the "gospel of Mary" is worthwhile but reading what I propose will give you a greater understanding of truth is not worth your time and effort.
Why read lost books of dubious origin when one already has experience of the truth? That is for those referred to in 2 Timothy 3.
Evil in the Last Days
1But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
6They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, 7always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith
No.
I have experienced spiritual rebirth so I don't need to do spiritual/mental gymnastics to work out for myself who God is or how to interpret Scripture - the Holy Spirit shows me. I am one in Spirit with God through spiritual regeneration.
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/3254.htm