There are 52 Gnostic texts in the Nag Hammadi library discovered in 1945, though not all are classified as "Gospels". The Gospels, along with other treatises, constitute the main collection of early, non-canonical Gnostic Christian writings.
Key Details on the Gnostic Gospels
The Nag Hammadi Library: Discovered in 1945 in Egypt, this collection contains 13 leather-bound papyrus codices, comprising 52 separate writings.
Major Gnostic Gospels: Some of the most notable texts include:
The Gospel of Thomas (a collection of sayings by Jesus)
The Gospel of Judas.
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.
The Gospel of Philip.
The Gospel of Truth.
Context: These writings, dating mostly to the 1st and 2nd century AD, present diverse, often "outlawed" views of Jesus and his teachings compared to orthodox Christianity. These Gnostic Gospels often focus on secret truth, understandings, and knowledge (gnosis) rather than just faith.
Other Texts: Beyond the gospels, the collection includes letters, stories, and wisdom literature, such as the Apocryphon of John.
In these writings Jesus is portrayed as a Guide rather than a savior. Not a God or the Son of God, Jesus is an Enlightened Human Being who is here to guide individuals to their own personal Enlightenment. Once Enlightenment is achieved individuals become like and equal to Jesus, in fact you become one with him in spirit, purpose, and perspective... connected.
Other researchers have stated that Jesus's teachings in the Gnostic Gospels are closer to Eastern Philosophy, such as Buddhism than they are to what is represented in the 4 canonical Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, in the New Testament.
(back to "The Writings")