Exploring the Reason Behind the Exclusion of The Gospel of Mary from the New Testament

The question of why The Gospel of Mary, alongside other gospels such as the Gospel According to John, was included in the New Testament has long captivated scholars and religious enthusiasts alike. This exploration delves into various hypotheses regarding the exclusion of the Gospel of Mary, focusing on historical context, authorship, and theological reasons.

Theological Dispute: Unscriptural Authorship and Godly Rejection

One of the most provocative explanations cited is that the Gospel of Mary is unscriptural and not from God. According to this perspective, the New Testament as it stands today has been divinely authored, compiled, and sealed by God. Consequently, any text outside the canon, no matter how spiritually inspiring, fails to originate from divine authority and is deemed destined for destruction in the end.

Lack of Historical Credibility: Fake Writings and Fictional Account

An alternative view argues that the Gospel of Mary, and other similar texts, do not exist as actual historical documents. Critics assert that numerous fictitious writings were authored by individuals who sought to give their works authenticity, often naming them after revered figures such as Mother Mary, Thomas, or other historical figures. These documents are viewed with skepticism, as their lack of genuine inspiration from the Holy Spirit makes them unreliable.

Historical and Literary Analysis: Unauthentic and Legendary Fabrication

A deeper dive into the late composition dates of the Gospel of Mary reveals that it was penned centuries after the events it purports to describe. Historical evidence indicates that the Gospel of Mary was written around 200-400 years after the death of Jesus. This late authorship raises serious doubts about the reliability of the text, as eyewitness accounts must be sufficiently ancient to be considered authentic.

Furthermore, the Gospel of Mary is seen as a legendary fabrication crafted by an author altering the story of Jesus to suit the community's religious purposes. While the text provides some elements of truth about Jesus, it is not treated as a reliable historical account due to its late composition. Historians and theologians argue that the inclusion of such a late and speculative text in the canon would undermine the integrity and reliability of the New Testament as a whole.

Reliable Eyewitness Testimony: The Four Attributes

According to the criteria set forth for reliable eyewitness testimony, one key attribute is the age of the document. The First Requirement is that the account should be written by someone who was present to witness the events he or she reports. The Gospel of Mary fails to meet this criterion, as it was written by an anonymous author long after the events it claims to recount.

Moreover, the rejection of the Gospel of Mary by the early Church can be attributed to its historical unreliability. Official church leaders did not consider it appropriate to include in the New Testament canon due to the lack of historical credibility and the risk of propagating untrue or distorted accounts of Jesus.

Conclusion: The Gospel of Mary's Lack of Canonical Worship

In conclusion, the exclusion of The Gospel of Mary from the New Testament can be explained by its late authorship and lack of historical credibility. It is important to recognize that the New Testament as we know it today has been painstakingly curated by early Christian ecclesiastical councils to ensure the preservation of reliable and authentic accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, and resurrection. While the Gospel of Mary contains some elements of truth, its secondary and legendary nature makes it an unsuitable addition to the authoritative scriptures of the Christian faith.

Understanding the context and criteria for selecting texts for the New Testament provides a clearer picture of why certain texts like The Gospel of Mary were left out, preserving the integrity of the divine message as preserved by the early Church.