What Are the Lost Books of the Bible?
Quick Summary
The term “Lost Books of the Bible” refers to ancient writings that are not included in the canonical Scriptures. These include Jewish and Christian texts like the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Shepherd of Hermas. While they were written around the same time as biblical books, they were excluded from the canon for reasons such as questionable authorship, theological differences, or lack of widespread use. Some were never lost—just never accepted as Scripture.
Introduction: What Do We Mean by “Lost”?
Every year around Easter and Christmas, you can almost set your watch to it: the documentaries drop, the headlines swirl, and someone claims that the church has hidden the “real” Bible. The hype is thick—"lost gospels," "banned books," "secret scrolls"—all marketed as if truth has been locked away in a Vatican basement.
It makes for compelling television. But it’s not history.
The so-called “Lost Books of the Bible” weren’t suppressed. They weren’t covered up. In fact, most weren’t even lost. They were known, read, and discussed—and then set aside after thoughtful discernment by communities who were deeply invested in preserving the true witness to Jesus Christ.
So what are these books? And why weren’t they included in the Bible?
Examples of Lost or Non-Canonical Books
Here are some of the better-known texts often labeled as "lost books":
The Book of Enoch – An ancient Jewish text expanding on Genesis 6 and the Nephilim. Quoted in Jude (v.14) but not included in either Jewish or Christian canons.
The Gospel of Thomas – A sayings gospel with 114 alleged teachings of Jesus, some consistent with the Gospels and others heavily shaped by Gnostic philosophy.
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene – Fragmentary and Gnostic in tone, it paints Mary as a key figure with secret revelations.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas – Describes a young Jesus performing capricious miracles—more magical than messianic.
The Shepherd of Hermas – An early Christian allegory highly regarded by some but ultimately deemed non-authoritative.
The Acts of Paul and Thecla – Legendary account of a female disciple, mixing edifying stories with questionable apostolic origin.
Some of these were well known in early Christian circles. But familiarity alone isn’t what makes something Scripture.
Why Weren’t These Books Included?
The early church used several guiding criteria in determining whether a writing belonged in the Bible:
1. Apostolic Origin
Was the text written by an apostle or someone closely connected?
If a book appeared centuries after the apostles had died, or if its authorship was unknown or in doubt, it faced heavy scrutiny. Paul’s letters and the Gospels passed this test. The Gospel of Thomas and similar texts did not.
2. Orthodox Theology
Did it align with the "rule of faith" passed down from Jesus and the apostles?
Texts promoting secret knowledge, diminishing Jesus’s humanity, or advancing Gnostic teachings (e.g., denying the resurrection) were set aside. This wasn’t about suppressing diversity; it was about maintaining fidelity to the core witness of Christ.
"Orthodoxy, in the early church, was not the result of power plays but the outcome of consistent, cross-community faith practice over time." — Michael Kruger, Canon Revisited, p. 144
3. Widespread and Continuous Use
Was the book read in churches throughout the Christian world over generations?
Canonical books were not only apostolic and orthodox—they were loved. They fed the faith of the church across regions and generations. Books like 1 Peter and Romans were used everywhere. Books like the Gospel of Peter showed up sporadically and faded away.
4. Spiritual Authority
Did the book bear the marks of inspiration? Did believers recognize the voice of the Spirit in it?
This is harder to define, but it mattered deeply. Just as sheep know their shepherd’s voice (John 10:27), the early church sensed a difference between canonical Scripture and other writings.
“The Church did not create the canon. The Church recognized, collected, and preserved the books that had always been regarded as authoritative.” — F. F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, p. 276
What About the Apocrypha?
Some books fell in a middle category—not quite lost, not fully canonical. These include:
Tobit
Judith
1 & 2 Maccabees
Wisdom of Solomon
Sirach
These books appear in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used widely in the early church. Catholic and Orthodox traditions include them as Deuterocanonical books. Protestants label them Apocrypha—worth reading, but not Scripture.
For more background, see When Was the Bible First Translated into English?
Were These Books Suppressed?
No. That narrative may sell books or get Netflix clicks, but it doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
The Gospel of Thomas wasn’t suppressed—it was quoted and evaluated. The Book of Enoch wasn’t censored—it was known and excluded. Early church leaders like Irenaeus and Origen referenced these texts, sometimes even positively. But they made distinctions between useful reading and inspired Scripture.
The canon was not decided in secret, nor by fiat. It was the result of centuries of discernment, guided by the Spirit, grounded in worship, and confirmed by practice. One of the most astute summations of this is:
"A book was not canonical because a church council said so. Rather, councils affirmed what the church already practiced." — Lee Martin McDonald, The Biblical Canon, p. 287
So Why Does This Still Come Up?
Because mystery sells. Because suspicion is easy. Because the idea that “the truth is out there” feeds into modern cynicism about institutions.
But the early church wasn’t trying to hide Jesus. They were trying to honor him. That meant filtering out teachings that misrepresented him or distorted the gospel. It wasn’t about withholding truth—it was about guarding it.
When the hype resurfaces—usually around Easter and Christmas—it’s a good opportunity to revisit why the Bible is trustworthy. Not in spite of what was excluded, but in light of how carefully the early church discerned what was faithful.
Meaning for Today: Confidence Without Conspiracy
When you hear about “lost books,” remember:
They were not lost; they were known.
They were not banned; they were evaluated.
They were not inspired; they were interesting.
As Christians, we can read these texts for historical context, theological insight, and even spiritual reflection. But we do so alongside, not instead of, the 66 books of the canon.
You can trust the Bible—not because it fell from heaven bound in leather, but because it was shaped by a community of faith seeking the truth of Jesus Christ.
FAQ
What are the “lost books of the Bible”?
Ancient Jewish or Christian writings not included in the biblical canon, such as the Gospel of Thomas or the Book of Enoch.
Why were they excluded?
They were not apostolic, contradicted core doctrine, lacked widespread usage, or were not seen as inspired.
Are these books worth reading?
Yes—as historical and theological texts, not as Scripture.
Were any “lost books” ever in the Bible?
Some Apocryphal books were included in early Bibles like the Septuagint but are not considered canonical in Protestant traditions.
