Heretical Christianities

What if early Christian “heretics” preserved alternative visions of Jesus—Jewish, purely gracious, or prophetically inspired—before official orthodoxy took shape? This anthology presents fragments of the Ebionites’ Jewish-Christian gospel, Marcion’s radical canon, and oracles from the Montanist “New Prophecy.” Updated for modern readers, these texts reveal communities that clashed with mainstream leaders yet influenced the theology, worship, and scriptural boundaries we take for granted today. Included Texts: Gospel of the Ebionites & Fragments of Jewish-Christian Sects Marcion’s Edited Luke & Pauline Summaries (Patristic Reconstructions) Montanist Oracles – Priscilla and Maximilla’s prophecies. Epistle of the Apostles & Patristic Excerpts – Early refutations and context. What You’ll Discover Inside: A More Jewish Jesus? – Ebionite dietary laws, rejection of sacrifice, the role of the Torah. Marcion’s God of Pure Grace – A stark divide from the “inferior” Old Testament creator. Prophetic Frenzy vs. Church Order – Montanist oracles challenging hierarchical authority. The Formation of the Canon – How these debates forced decisions on scripture and doctrine. Meet the “heretics” who shaped orthodoxy by forcing early Christianity to define its boundaries. Consider their provocative ideas—and why they ultimately lost favor.