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Gospel of Barnabas (Apocrypha)

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The Gospel of Barnabas (GB) is a well known late-medieval forgery (most likely 15th or 16th Century Spain) which purports to be a lost or suppressed gospel by the apostle Barnabas. This edition is a re-release of the Ragg's early twentieth century translation amended to incorporate opening comments from an Islamic apologetic perspective. I offer the following thoughts for potential readers.

This book is probably only of interest for serious students of religious apologetics and religious history. Despite the publisher's claim the GB is not, nor has it ever been, recognized as a legitimate historic text by main stream scholars. It does, however, have some appeal for the insight it provides into popular apologetics.

Perhaps the GB's most interesting aspect is its enduring appeal as an apologetic tool. Undoubtably historic texts can make effective evangelizing tools - the GB, however, appears to be poorly suited for this role. It is a clearly an inauthentic document and exposes a message contrary to the religion in professes to support.

With regard to authenticity its challenges are numerous:

- it refers to jubilees occurring every 100 years rather than every fifty as was the case in the early Christian epoch (changed to 100 years intervals in 14th century)

- uses the fourth century Latin vulgate translation of the Bible (challenging for first century author)

- claims that Jesus was born when Pilate was governor (26 or 27 A.D.)

- claims that Nazareth is a seashore or lakeshore village

- despite the editors apparent attempt to confuse GB with the first century Epistle of Barnabus or the fifth century apocryphal Acts of Barnabas there is no reference to this text by either Christian or Islamic writers prior to approximately 1600

Despite it fabricated nature, perhaps what makes its use as an apologetic tool even more surprising is its heretical theology:

- contrary to Quran Mohammad is portrayed as a Christ-like entity

- the world was created for Muhammad

- Muhammad is an intercessor between God and man

- Contradicts Quran claim that Jesus is the Messiah

Overall, GB is an interesting read for students of religious apologetics. I cannot recommend the text for a broader audience - it is replete with misrepresentation and fabrication. Readers seeking a more serious examination of GB can see David Sox's the Gospel of Barnabas. Those interested in a discussion of GB within the genre of religious forgies may find J. Slomp's work helpful (some available for free on net). Those interested in serious comparative apologetics may wish to look at a series of public debates between Shabir Ally and William Craig.

I read this book years ago(5) and recently I let someone borrow it

they lost it and I was deeply upset because I had a very old version of the book it was passed on to me from a spiritual mentor of mine .So know Im searching to see If I can find it again I dont Know If this version is as the one I had (will see). If you seek for a gerater understandig, a diffrent view from what others believe to be what is true. This book Is wonderful, it will open your mind .

ahmed4488@hotmail.com from Saudi Arabia , May 23, 1999 Excellent Book, I undrstood Jesus more and Love him much more I did not know much about Jesus until I read this book, but after reading this book I started to like his message and live by it, this book is my best companion wherever I go. Unlike the cannonical Gospels, The stories, the parables, and the whole mission of Jesus are mentioned from start to finish, everything makes perfect sense.

I have read a couple different translation this one is pretty good. For those of you who are new to the Gospel of Barnabass, I hope that you have done your research and understand how there was a council in Nice who decided which books were going to be compiled into or left out of the Bible that you see today. Also how this is one of the Gospels that is in the Vatican library but won't be acknowledge like many others because it threatens the structure of the church. There are Gospels written by females for example, but you wont hear of them through the church. This Gospel specifically is noted because it is one of the most accurate accounts of Jesus but it does not support the crucifixion (cruci-fiction) story. It tells in detail how it was made to appear that Christ was crucified while in actuality he wasn't. The intervention and aide of a few Archangels saved him from that "cup". You will have to read the book to know the account and the name of the angels who helped him. Due to the nature of this book you could see why it would be threatening to the Christian Church even though it is one of their Gospels. Lets remember cruci simply means to hang on a cross while fixio means to make up, as in making up murder. So when we say crucifixion what are we really saying? Keep in mine that all of the disciples ran when the centurions came, so who could have given an accurate account, plus Mark and Luke was written how many years after Jesus? The only accurate account is the one he personally dictated to Barnabass his disciple. Check out the book!

The Gospel of Barnabas isn't exactly Christian. It isn't exactly Islamic. It certainly isn't an early church manuscript, therefore I find it only mildly interesting.

During the middle ages there were numerous Christian/Muslim dialogues. Considering the tension in the world today these are somewhat interesting, but I don't find them to be of much use the the average reader.

This should not be confused with the "Epistle of Barnabas" which really is an early church document. In all of today's muddy waters of gnostic gospels and conspiracy theories it is difficult for an interested person to know what to read.

There actually are two books added to our earlist known copy of the New Testament (codex siniaticus). They are the "Epistle of Barnabas" and "Shepherd of Hermas." If you really want to study "lost books of the bible" start here. They weren't actually lost, just not considered quite as good. Once the reader makes it through these the next tier I would go to are, "Didache" and "Apostolic Constitutions."

If the reader makes it through all four, congratulations! By now you understand that there is a wealth of material from that time period. You might start in on books that were influential, but not considered Scripture:

The Gospel of Thomas (Gnostic)

Apologetics of Justin Martyr

Letter to Pliny

Letters and writings by Origen, Iranaeus, and many others, most of which were written before the rest of the "Gnostic Gospels" and disgarded before Constantine.

Ok, I think the Gospel of Barnabas is one of the most important text about the real Jesus ( Isa ). But, I doubt the originality because we can't find the original one.

For some of you who said that Al Qur'an never claim that Muhammad is the Messiah...You ARE WRONG ( May Allah Forgive You ).

You know, in Islam, both Yesus ( Isa ) and Muhammad is called Rasulullah ( the one that send God's order and save the people of their age ), there are other who are also called Rasulullah example : Musa.

Back to this book, I doubt the originality of this book like I doubt the originality of Bible ( sorry, no specific offend ).

I had searched for religions for years, and believe me or not, I find the truth in Islam. I have also search through spiritual world and metaphisycs world. You know, there are some case that some spiritualwas fooled by what you call spirit ( its not a spirit by any chances ). If you want to find truth from spiritual world, you have to be caution and aware of some tricks by the Jin, Syaithan and Iblis. ( For KK from Jakarta, I am sorry but I doubt that you found the truth )

If some of you want to share your experiences, ask questions, or debate me, please e-mail me at Lunatic070@gmail.com

Oh, and please stop giving false information about Islam ok, lets have peace without any false offends about religion.

I'll be happy to share my experiences and I can tell that Islam is the only religion that Allah ridha.

I first read the Gospel of Barnabas when I was 8. I had heard the Christian version of Jesus' life but it made no sense. I didnt understand why God would kill his son, let alone why God would have a son when he is above all that is mortal. The Bible of today is a farce written by crusaders who have twisted true Christianity into something that allows them to do and act as they please. These same poeple even want to re-write the Holy Qur'an which has been untouched for millienia. The Gospel of Barnabas is the original gospel, the one written by Barnabas depicting the life and last days of Jesus in a more natural, smooth, understandable form. Contrary to what Christians keep forcing others to believe, Jesus never said that he was God or the son of God. He says he is a messenger. He was not crucified, Judas was made by God to resemble him and thought by Pilate to be Jesus, and so, met his rightful demise. Jesus then ascended and will return during the last days to slay the Anti Christ. I encourage all, especially right wing Christians to read the Original Gospel.

I was very excited about this "gospel" when I first learnt about it. Since that initial short-lived euphoria many years ago, I had forgotten about this book, until now. It would be fascinating to read it again. Despite what critics say, the Jesus of this gospel is most definately closer to the Jesus (`Isa) Muslims know. And for Muslims, what is closer to the Quran and the Islamic tradition must be more correct than what is not.

Points to note:

1. This may be a work of fiction, but what can be said for the "Gospels" of the New Testament?

2. It seems that anybody can write a "gospel" and call it Gospel, when infact the Gospel -or Injil(Latin=Evangelium) to the Muslims - is what Jesus taught, possibly in Aramaic, a spoken version of liturgical Hebrew (and not Greek or Latin, let alone English!)

[Mat9:35,Luke20:1]

3. Anybody interested to know what Jesus taught should not stop at the New Testament or the "Gospel" of Barnabas, but go to the Quran and the Islamic tradition, the latter containing a wealth of sayings ATTRIBUTED TO Jesus. While the Quranic picture of Jesus is not open for debate among Muslims, the traditional (non-Quranic) sayings of Jesus can be of doubtful authenticity. Nevertheless, they all convey important spiritual teachings.

4. Even if this is a forgery, and even if no page in the Bible had any prophecy to indicate the coming of Muhammad, the truth of his prophethood, and the truth of the Quran as the final and most perfect revelation from God to mankind, cannot be falsified.

I first learned about the Gospel of Barnabas in Kenya, from Muslim sources who proposed that this was the name of the original Gospel that "came down upon Jesus." I bought my own copy in 2001 in Larnaca, Cyprus, where I found it in a used book store. I kept it on my shelf until I read it in November 2007.

This English version was translated from the Italian manuscript in the Imperial Library at Vienna. This is the medieval apocryphal gospel claimed by Muslim to be the original Gospel [injil], which they say Christians changed into the four variations now included in the New Testament.

Jesus Denies Messiahship

The portrait of Jesus here has Jesus denying he is the Messiah, but announcing that Mohammad will come as the messenger of God, and will be the Messiah for all nations. Mohammad is actually mentioned by name.

This book tells the alternative story of God rescuing Jesus when the soldiers come to arrest him in the Garden, and as punishment, God turns Judas' features into those of Jesus, so he is arrested instead. The trial the canonical gospels record with Jesus, then is told with some variation, from the perspective of the puzzled Judas trying to convince the priests, Herod and Pilate that he is Judas, not Jesus.

Thus it is Judas who is crucified in Jesus' place. This book portrays the primary concern of Jesus as opposition to idolatry, both literal and spiritual. Thus the crime of the Pharisees is idolatry of the heart. Their hypocrisy is their condemnation.

New Role

The role of Barnabas is changed in this gospel, but his origin is the same as in Luke's writing, being described as a Jew from Cyprus. In the writing of Luke (Acts of the Apostles), Barnabas is a Jew from Cyprus who is in Jerusalem for the Passover and believes in Jesus. He is indeed later called an apostle, as are several other new converts or Jewish believers who were not among the original twelve.

In the Gospel of Barnabas, Barnabas is one of the 12 original disciples, and the author writes in the guise of Barnabas. The story does not explain why a Jew from Cyprus is in Palestine in a situation in which Jesus would choose him as one of his original followers. (Note also, incidentally, in the canonical Gospels the original twelve followers are never called Apostles until after Jesus has resurrected, and they are sent out. The word in Greek simply means messenger or missionary.)

Trinity is Paul's Fault

One purpose the author gives for writing this Gospel is that Paul has erred by changing Jesus into a Divine figure. He charges likewise that Paul has created the doctrine of the Trinity, which created three gods, leading all the followers of Paul into a new idolatry.

I was surprised to find this apparently mis-informed author blaming Paul for the doctrine of the Trinity, since Paul does not focus on that. He does refer to Jesus as the resurrected Messiah, and as the continuing ruler of God's spiritual Kingdom. And Paul refers to the dynamic figure of the Holy Sprit. He uses this term interchangeably with the risen Christ.

For instance, Luke's phrase that Jesus would baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit is expressed in Paul's statement that we are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. (In the book of Acts, various terms are interchangeable with the term Holy Spirit, which became dominant in history and theology. Luke uses the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord and several others.)

Parables and Stories

The Gospel of Barnabas has some Gnostic tendencies, though it sticks close to the canonical gospel stories. It changes some teachings or events in ways to make its point that idolatry is at the root of all sin. This author also has a broad range of parables and events, many of which are virtually word-for-word with the canonicals. But some are changed, and many additional ones are added.

In general The Gospel of Barnabas stays faithful to the teachings of Jesus except where New Testament Gospel writers have expressions of the Messiahship of Jesus, or other aspects that might be used to support the doctrine of the Trinity. There is not as much emphasis, however, on social justice and there is an extreme development of a vindictive punishment.

Vengeful Torture

This hammer-and-anvil character of God's punishment and torture of unbelievers is not found in the New Testament and certainly not in the canonical gospels. In the Gospel of Barnabas, God invites the righteous to come and watch the tortures of those who did evil to them. What is detailed is not just the administration of justice, but vengeful, torturous kinds of creative pain.

Mohammad is given the place of honor in observing the profound horrors of God's multiplied wrath. Though the punishment is said to be in line with the type and degree of evil the sinners committed in their life, the punishment is multiplied many times over, so the sinners suffer manifold torture and punishment.

Mohammad Advocates Mercy

The portrayals here are similar to those medieval visions of horror expressed by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, as Dante portrayed his view of the 9 levels of hell. Dante expresses gleeful joy at the punishment of rival families and those he feels treated him or his family badly in life. The punishment in the hells of the Gospel of Barnabas is so great and horrid, that even Mohammad is driven to cry out for mercy for the punished sinners.

Mild Gnosticism

The gnosticism of the Gospel of Barnabas is not "full-blown" as in the Gnostic gospels like the Gospel of Judas. The latter presents the full Gnostic two-level realities in both the visible and the hidden groups among Jesus' disciples. The Gospel of Barnabas references a dualistic spiritual reality, and has the ascetic streak found in many Gnostic and orthodox writings, as well as the express desire to release the soul from the body.

This expresses a western cultural focus found in one stream of Greek philosophy. This came to dominate popular European theology and is still prominent today in what is referred to as "evangelical" expressions of Christianity, and in Western popular culture in general.

Shift from Jewish Worldview

This shifts the focus from the strong Jewish background in New Testament emphasis on the resurrection of the body. This was the concern that arose among the early mixed Greek and Jewish synagogue of Christians in Thessalonica and led to the first Christian writings we know of, form the pen of Saul/Paul of Tarsus, Jewish Christian missionary to the Nations

I undrstood Jesus more and Love him much more, I did not know much about Jesus until I read this book, but after reading this book I started to like his message and live by it, this book is my best companion wherever I go. Unlike the cannonical Gospels, The stories, the parables, and the whole mission of Jesus are mentioned from start to finish, everything makes perfect sense.