“Perfection is not reached with the eyes of the body, but with the light I wake up in the interior.”
1. What is the “Gospel of Perfection”
- Original name likely in Greek: εὐαγγέλιον τελειώσεως (euangélion teleíōseōs), which in Latin is cited as Evangelium perfectionis, i.e., “The gospel of Perfection” or “Gospel of the Consummation”.
- Part of the apocryphal literature of the New Testamentin the group of “gospels under general titles” (not attributed to an apostle concrete: gospel of truth, of the four regions, celestial, etc).
- The unanimous opinion of the scholars (Otero, Hennecke-Schneemelcher, dictionaries bible) is that it is a source text gnosticprobably used by gnostic sects such as the borboritas or ophites.
Conclusion of departure:
We know that he existed, that he was a gnostic and condemned as a heretic, but we don't know what I was saying.
2. Ancient sources that mention it
2.1. Epiphanius of Salamis (s. IV)
The main source is Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis (c. 315-403), in his great work antiherética Panarion (“kit of remedies against heresies”).
In the Panarion 26, against the so-called Gnostic/Borboritas, Epiphanius, lists a series of books which, according to him, he used that sect:
- Book of Noria (wife of Noah),
- Gospel of Perfection,
- Gospel of Eve,
- Questions (or Issues) of Mary (major and minor version),
- Seth books,
- The apocalypse of Adam,
- Birth of Mary, etc
In one of the translations of the Panarion 26,2,5, Epiphanius says about this book:
Key points:
- Considered a written dummy and obscene, associated to sex rites heretical.
- No appointment to any fragment the Gospel of Perfection; just name it and we ridiculed.
“Only those who know its origin recognizes its target.”
2.2. Filastrio of Brescia (s. IV)
Another heresiólogo, Filastrio of Brescia († c. 397), in his work Liber de haeresibus, also mentions the Gospel of Perfectionbut his testimony depends on Epiphanius: basically repeats that it is a book, heretic and whimsical.
2.3. Lists of ancient apocryphal books
In subsequent lists of “apocryphal gospels lost” (for example, builds, medieval or catalogs modern to collect old testimonies) the Gospel of Perfection is recorded only by the title and the reference to Epiphanius/Filastrio.
3. What we know (and what not) of your content
3.1. Opinion of modern scholars
Classic works such as “The apocryphal gospels” Aurelio de Santos Otero, and other manual summary of the situation:
“The gospel of Perfection. Source gnostic. We know his existence by the testimony of Epiphanius, and Filastrio, without this we can conclude something specific about its content.”
In summary:
- Does not retain any manuscript the Gospel of Perfection.
- We do not have direct quotes explicit (just a mention hostile to the title).
- Any detailed reconstruction of his doctrine is speculative.
3.2. Possible relationship with the “Gospel of Eve”
There is an important assumption: the Gospel of Perfection, and the Gospel of Eve would be the same textor two titles for the same work.
- The Gospel of Eve it is also a gnostic gospel almost completely lost, known by a few quotes from Epiphanius (Panarion 26) where it attaches to the borboritas and practice of “free love” and sexual symbolism.
- Some scholars think that the Gospel of Perfection it would be simply a variant of the same text, given the closeness of the titles and the same sectarian group.
But there is no final consensus: other distinguished both gospels, pointing out that Epiphanius mentions the two separate titles.
3.3. The term “perfection” in the context of gnostic
In the terminology religious old, especially in mysteries and gnosticism, the term “perfect” (teleios) designated the “started full”someone who has reached the full gnosis or enlightenment.
- Various currents gnostic, salvation is not given by the simple faith, but by an in-depth knowledge, esotericreserved for “perfect”.
- Probably the gospel bore that title because it had a revelation destined to the perfect, or describing the “consummation” (teleíōsis) of salvation in key gnostic.
This is consistent with the fact that the Borboritas/Ophitas used other texts, laden with esoteric symbolism (Seth Books, the Apocalypse of Adam, etc).
“Do not be afraid of the dark: is the veil that guards the revelation of the perfect.”
4. Historical and theological context
4.1. Time and place likely
Although we can't set an exact date, by the context of the controversies:
- The text should circulate at least from the century III and be active still in the century IVwhen Epiphanius, and Filastrio written.
- Associated with gnostic circles of the East (Syria, Palestine, Egypt), similar to the Ophitas/Borboritas, who developed myths themselves about Adam, Eve, the serpent, Seth, etc
4.2. Current doctrinal
Tracks (sect user, accusations of sexual rituals, name text) suggest:
- Christology gnostic: Christ divine emanation that brings knowledge savior, rather than as a historical Messiah incarnated.
- Anthropology dualistic: strong contrast between spirit/light and matter/darktypical gnostic.
- Perfection as gnosis: the “perfection” would not be moral in classic biblical sense, but full integration into the lightwith access to mysteries reserved for the few.
But I insist: this is reconstruction of contextnot textual content of the gospel.
“The soul perfect it ascends by force, but by memory.”
5. Reception patristic: why it considered heretical
In the fathers of the Church, this gospel appears always in listings of books condemned:
- Epiphanius calls “work fictitious pornography” and it includes, among books forged by heretics.
- Catalogues post quoted along with other gospels of the gnostics and manichaeans as the Gospel of Mani (Gospel Live), the Gospel of Eve, the Gospel of Truth, etc
Here there are two levels that have to be distinguished:
- The doctrinal level:
- They rejected the entire theology of denied the incarnation real Christ, relativizara the material creation or propose a salvation only to an elite of initiates.
- Level controversial/propaganda:
- The heresiólogos used to describe the gnostic sects with accusations of sexual debauchery and rituals obscene (coitus interruptus, ritual consumption of semen, etc), in this case associated especially at the Gospel of Eve.
- It is not clear how much is a faithful description and how much cartoon controversy.
In any case, the Gospel of Perfection soon passed to the category of “banned book and lost” in the catholic tradition.
“Many hear the message, but only the perfect ones understand it.”
6. The gospel in the modern research
6.1. Rank in the current critical
In handbooks and dictionaries modern, the Gospel of Perfection appears:
- In the group of “apocryphal gospels lost”, along with others such as the Gospel of the egyptians, the Gospel of the nazarenes, etc
- Often with the note succinct: “It's supposed source gnostic; we only know of its existence to the statements of Epiphanius, and Filastrio; nothing is known of their contents.”
6.2. Hypothesis identification
There are three major lines:
- Gospel of Perfection = Gospel of Eve
- Based on the closeness in the lists from Epiphanius, the association to the same groups, and the fact that the Gospel of Eve is described as the text of gnosis “consumadora”.
- Gospel of Perfection = Gospel of Philip
- Some authors, ancient or modern, have suggested that the mention of Epiphanius could be referring to an early form of the Gospel of Philip (as the Nag Hammadi), also focused on mysteries of initiation and symbolism bridal.
- Gospel of Perfection = different text which is now lost
- It is the more prudent approach: given that Epiphanius named separately Gospel of Eve, the Gospel of Perfection and the Gospel of Philip, as honest is to treat them as three different titlesalthough related to each other.
There is No definitive evidence for any identification. The conclusion academic and most serious is: we don't know.
“The visible deceives; the invisible instructs.”
7. Meaning of the title: “Perfection” in front of the canonical Bible
It is interesting to confront the notion gnostic of “perfection” with the biblical notion.
- In the New Testament, for example in Matthew 5,48 (“Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”), the Greek word teleios points to the full, ripe, full in love, not an elite esoteric.
- In the mysteries and gnosticismthe “perfect” is the started topwho has gone through rituals, revelations and secret symbols.
The Gospel of Perfectionby its title and context of gnostic, surely:
- Had a an alternative vision of what it means to be “perfect”linked to gnosis and to a path of mystic initiation.
- Offered, at least for its followers, a “gospel” (good news) of consummation, that is to say, the explanation of how the soul becomes fully to the light world.
The Church majority saw it as a appropriation and distortion language christian and biblical.
8. What is NOT the Gospel of Perfection (to avoid confusion)
It should be clarified that the “The gospel of Perfection” apocryphal NOT to be confused with:
- The “Way of Perfection” by St. Teresa of Jesus
- Spiritual work of the SIXTEENTH century, is sometimes interpreted metaphorically as a “gospel” of the inner life, but there is an apocryphal gospel, nor has historical relationship with the text gnostic.
- Reflections modern “gospel and perfectionism”
- Articles contemporary evangelicals or catholics who speak of “the gospel in the face of perfectionism psychological” is another totally different thing.
When we speak here of the Gospel of Perfection, we refer exclusively to the text gnostic lost of the III–IV century.
9. Final synthesis: “everything that can be known”
In a scheme very direct:
- Existence and nature
- There was a text called the “The gospel of Perfection / Evangelium perfectionis”.
- Was apocryphal, gnostic, and considered heretical by the ancient Church.
- Sources
- Only what we know by the mentions of Epiphanius of Salamis (Panarion 26) and Filastrio of Brescia (Liber de haeresibus 33).
- Content
- Has not remained any fragment clearly identifiable.
- Possibly it was connected with other gnostic texts focused on Eva, Mary Magdalene, Seth, Adam, the serpent, etc, and with the idea of “perfection” as the culmination gnostic.
- Any detailed description of your narrative or teachings is speculation, not historical fact.
- Relationships text
- Some identify him with the Gospel of Eve or with a form of the Gospel of Philipbut there is no conclusive evidence.
- Theological value and historical
- It is a piece of the map of the gnostic gospels: shows that, already in the first centuries, there was a multiplicity of “gospels” private, designed for specific groups, with a esoteric doctrine on perfection.
- His disappearance is likely due to the sentence ecclesial and the fact that no one copied it in the manuscript tradition later.
“The initiated are not looking for a new world: seeks to awaken in the real.”
Conclusion
A “full and detailed study” on the Gospel of Perfection has necessarily this limit: there is no text that comment, only the name, the environment gnostic and the trials of their opponents.
What we can say with certainty is that this gospel:
- It was a written by gnosticprobably in the court of initiation.
- Circulated in groups heretics of the century, III–IV (borboritas/gnostics).
- It was presented as “gospel” to the perfectin a different sense of the evangelical perfection canonical.
- Was rejected and disappeared, leaving only the echo of his title in the polemics of the Church fathers.
