Apocryphote of the Day: 9-29-08

It is good to pray to God night and day, spreading out our hands toward him as do people sailing in the middle of the sea. They pray to God with all their heart without hypocrisy...God examines the inward parts and searches the bottom of the heart so that he might know who is worthy of salvation.

Exegesis on the Soul 136.17-25 (second century Valentinian sermon)

Apocryphote of the Day: Valentine's Day

"Like this, the soul again made herself beautiful. [She hastened] to enjoy her lover, and he too loved her. And when she made love with him, she received from him seed, which is the spirit that gives life. She bears good children and raises them. For this is the great perfect wonderful birth. So this marriage is consummated by the will of the Father.
The soul needs to regenerate herself and become as she was at first. So the soul moves. And she received divinity from the Father. She caused her rejuvenation so that she should be restored to where she was from the first.
This is the resurrection from the dead.
This is the redemption from captivity.
This is the ascent to heaven.
This is the road up to the Father."

Exegesis on the Soul 133.32-134.16 (A Valentinian text) (trans. DeConick)

Apocryphote of the Day

In order to highlight the fact that "heresy" depends on where you are standing, and that the people who wrote the literature that we call "apocryphal" of "parabiblical", were "living" their religion, I am going to begin posting "Apocryphotes", or daily readings from the apocrypha.

"It is written in the Psalms, 'I have been deeply troubled in my groaning, I shall drench my bed and cover each night with my tears. I have become old among all my enemies. Depart from me, all you who do lawless things, for look, the Lord has heard the cry of my weeping, and the Lord has heard my prayer.' If we truly repent, God, who is patient and abundant in mercy, will hear us. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Exegesis on the Soul 137.15-26 (A Valentinian text).