Darrell L. Bock, a respected scholar and author of the New York Times bestseller Luke: A Commentary, offers readers an in-depth look at some of Christianity’s most mysterious offshoots in The Missing Gospels. Delving into texts that have been long buried–literally and figuratively speaking–Bock explores alternative Christianities that have captivated believers for centuries while also raising provocative questions about the origins and accuracy of mainstream Christianity. Featuring engaging stories and accessible explanations, this thought-provoking volume sheds light on little-known gospels such as those attributed to Thomas, Philip, Mary Magdalene, Judas Iscariot, James the Just…and more. Each chapter considers a different gospel from historical, biblical scholarship perspectives to help you better understand how these writings can inform your faith today.” I found this book to be an interesting look at some of the lesser known gospels.
For who is this book for ?
This book is good for people who are interested in learning about different Christianities.
Pros :
- Bock offers a respectful and scholarly look at these texts.
- The book is easy to read and engaging.
- It provides insight into how these writings can inform faith today.
Cons :
- The author can at times be a bit dry
- The book jumps around between different gospels and it can be hard to follow
- At times the author tries too hard to tie these lesser known gospels in with modern Christianity, which is not always convincing
Learn more about the author
Darrell L. Bock is a senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of more than thirty books, including Luke: A Commentary (Zondervan), which won the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
Reader Reviews
“Bock does an excellent job of introducing the reader to these little-known gospels and their importance for understanding Christianity as a whole. I appreciated his careful scholarship in handling these texts.”
“Darrell L. Bock does a great job of providing historical and biblical scholarship perspectives on alternative Christianities in The Missing Gospels. This book is well written, accessible, and thought-provoking.”
“This is an important, well-researched book that fills a gap in the literature on early Christianity. Darrell L. Bock provides a thorough examination of alternative Christianities and their implications for contemporary faith.”
“Darrell Bock does a great job of making these more obscure gospels understandable. This is not a dry, academic study but readable and engaging for the general reader.”
