Petrine Authority and Mariology in the Gospel of Bartholomew
I have developed a thesis that not all so-called “Gnostic” texts are in fact Gnostic, but they may be artifacts of Catholic communities that did not stray from a fulfilled eschatology -- hence the tendency to “spiritualize” certain teachings which we’ve received from futurist teachers of the Church.
Nonetheless, in spite of this so-called “spiritualizing” of Christian doctrine, the Gnostics nonetheless were active members of the Christian body and generally under the authority of its priesthood (bishops) -- as the story of de-frocked Bishop Valentinus, infamous Gnostic heretic, reminds us.
Jerome makes mention of this apocryphal, supposedly Gnostic, “Gospel of Bartholomew” in the 4th century. This excerpt is interesting in that it supports both Petrine (papal) authority as well as the traditional teaching that Mary was the ark, or tabernacle, of the Most High. These are instantly recognizable pillars of Catholic doctrine.
1 Now the apostles were in the place [Cherubim, Cheltoura, Chritir] with Mary.
2 And Bartholomew came and said unto Peter and Andrew and John: Let us ask her that is highly favoured how she conceived the incomprehensible, or how she bare him that cannot be carried, or how she brought forth so much greatness. But they doubted to ask her.
3 Bartholomew therefore said unto Peter: Thou that art the chief, and my teacher, draw near and ask her. But Peter said to John: Thou art a virgin and undefiled (and beloved) and thou must ask her.
4 And as they all doubted and disputed, Bartholomew came near unto her with a cheerful countenance and said to her: Thou that art highly favoured, the tabernacle of the Most High, unblemished we, even all the apostles, ask thee (or All the apostles have sent me to ask thee) to tell us how thou didst conceive the incomprehensible, or how thou didst bear him that cannot be
5 But Mary said unto them: Ask me not (or Do ye indeed ask me) concerning this mystery. If I should begin to tell you, fire will issue forth out of my mouth and consume all the world.
6 But they continued yet the more to ask her. And she, for she could not refuse to hear the apostles, said: Let us stand up in prayer.
7 And the apostles stood behind Mary: but she said unto Peter: Peter, thou chief, thou great pillar, standest thou behind us? Said not our Lord: the head of the man is Christ ? now therefore stand ye before me and pray.
