The Canon of the Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Sacred Scriptures Guiding The Holy State
The Canon of the Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux comprises sacred Scriptures guiding our faith, worship, and mission to restore true Christianity in The Holy State. Rooted in pre-Vatican II Catholicism, enriched by Anglican reverence and Baptist commitment, our canon includes the Douay-Rheims Bible, Epistle of James, Protoevangelium of James, Apocalypse of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of the Egyptians, Book of John the Baptist, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Peter, Second Treatise of the Great Seth, Gospel of Philip, Gospel of Nicodemus, and 1662 Book of Common Prayer. These texts, ordered chronologically, reflect our crusade mindset of militant spirituality and defense of the faith, as we proclaim Christ’s kingship, for “all Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, Douay-Rheims).
The following texts, ordered by approximate composition date, form our sacred canon, guiding The Holy State in faith and worship:
1. Epistle of James (circa 50–62 CE)
Authored by James the Just, the “Brother of the Lord” (Galatians 1:19), the Epistle of James emphasizes “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Canonized for its centrality, it unites our Catholic sacraments, Anglican prayer, and Baptist zeal, inspiring our crusade mindset to “be doers of the word” (James 1:22, Douay-Rheims).
2. Apocalypse of Peter (circa 100–150 CE)
Attributed to the Apostle Peter, the Apocalypse of Peter describes heaven, hell, and Christ’s final judgment, portraying him as a warrior-king. Its martyrdom and justice themes align with our crusading zeal, as “blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake” (Matthew 5:10, Douay-Rheims). Canonized for its eschatological call to steadfast faith.
3. Gospel of Thomas (circa 100–150 CE)
A Gnostic collection of 114 sayings of Jesus, the Gospel of Thomas emphasizes spiritual knowledge: “Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death” (Saying 1). Canonized for its call to combat ignorance, it evokes our crusade mindset, as “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, Douay-Rheims).
4. Gospel of the Egyptians (circa 100–150 CE)
A Gnostic Coptic text, the Gospel of the Egyptians narrates the divine realm’s creation and the spiritual battle against archons: “The great Seth wrote this book… sealed with the seal of the living God” (68:10–14). Canonized for its spiritual warfare, it aligns with our crusade mindset, as “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18, Douay-Rheims).
5. Protoevangelium of James (circa 120–150 CE)
Attributed to James the Just, the Protoevangelium narrates Mary’s life and Jesus’s nativity, emphasizing her purity. Canonized for its Marian devotion, it supports our pre-Vatican II theology, as “the Word was made flesh” (John 1:14, Douay-Rheims), honoring the Mother of our King.
6. Book of John the Baptist (circa 150–200 CE)
An adaptation of the Mandaean Book of John, the Book of John the Baptist portrays John as our main prophet, heralding repentance and baptizing in the Jordan: “Here I baptize, that souls may be cleansed” (Ch. 18). Canonized for its call to repentance and spiritual warfare, it aligns with our crusade mindset, as “repent, for the kingdom is near” (Matthew 3:2, Douay-Rheims), uniting family and faith.
7. Infancy Gospel of Thomas (circa 140–170 CE)
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas narrates Jesus’s childhood miracles, showcasing his divine power. Canonized for its emphasis on Christ’s authority, it evokes our crusade mindset, as “he hath borne our infirmities” (Isaiah 53:4, Douay-Rheims).
8. Gospel of Mary (circa 120–180 CE)
Attributed to Mary Magdalene, this Gnostic text presents her revelations: “There is no sin, but it is you who make sin” (Gospel of Mary, 7:14–16). Canonized for its spiritual warfare against worldly desires, it aligns with our crusade mindset, as “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4, Douay-Rheims).
9. Gospel of Peter (circa 150–190 CE)
The Gospel of Peter details Jesus’s passion and resurrection: “As one who has no pain” (Gospel of Peter, 10). Canonized for its triumphant narrative, it mirrors the Templars’ defense of the Holy Sepulchre, as “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3, Douay-Rheims).
10. Second Treatise of the Great Seth (circa 150–200 CE)
A Gnostic Coptic text, the Second Treatise portrays Christ’s spiritual victory: “I did not die in reality but in appearance” (55:30–56:10). Canonized for its triumph over archons, it supports our crusade mindset, as “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3, Douay-Rheims).
11. Gospel of Philip (circa 150–200 CE)
A Gnostic text on sacraments and spiritual union: “Truth brought names into existence” (54:13–15). Canonized for its sacramental focus, it supports our crusade mindset of combating ignorance, as “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, Douay-Rheims).
12. Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate) (4th–5th century)
The Gospel of Nicodemus narrates Jesus’s trial and “Harrowing of Hell,” depicting him as a warrior. Canonized for its spiritual warfare themes, it reflects our crusade mindset, as “I will put enmity between thee and the woman” (Genesis 3:15, Douay-Rheims).
13. Douay-Rheims Bible (1582–1610)
A Catholic translation of the Old and New Testaments, the Douay-Rheims Bible is our primary Scripture, guiding worship and study. Canonized for its fidelity, it supports our pre-Vatican II theology, as “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18, Douay-Rheims).
14. 1662 Book of Common Prayer (1662)
An Anglican liturgical text, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer contains prayers and services. Canonized for its role in worship, its call to “stir up the wills of thy faithful people” (Collect for the 25th Sunday after Trinity) evokes our crusade mindset.
Our canon reflects the legacy of James the Just, whose faith through works (James 2:17) inspires our mission. In our church’s opinion, though not universally accepted, St. Bernard of Clairvaux succeeded James’s vision, preaching the Second Crusade to defend the faith. The inclusion of the Book of John the Baptist, honoring our main prophet, alongside apocryphal and Gnostic Gospels, unites Catholic orthodoxy, Anglican liturgy, and Baptist zeal, aligning with our crusade mindset. These Scriptures guide The Holy State, as we uphold Christ’s kingship, knowing “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18, Douay-Rheims).
First Addition to the Canon
The Very First Bible
Attributed to Marcion of Sinope and edited by A.W. Mitchell, this text offers a perspective on early Christian scriptures, emphasizing the teachings of Paul and presenting a version of the New Testament that excludes the Old Testament. Its inclusion in our canon reflects a commitment to exploring diverse early Christian traditions and understanding the development of Christian theology.
Second Addition to the Canon
The Most Complete 150-Book Apocrypha
Compiled and translated by Ethan Jeremiah Whitlock, this monumental work presents a collection of 150 ancient texts, including the Books of Enoch, Jasher, the Giants, various pseudepigrapha, and deuterocanonical writings. These texts offer a rich and complex view of early Christian and Jewish beliefs, shedding light on the formative periods of both traditions.
This work aligns with the Church’s mission to restore and reclaim the sacred wisdom of lost or suppressed scriptures. By incorporating these apocryphal texts, the Church honors the tradition of spiritual warfare, the pursuit of divine knowledge, and the sanctification of all that has been obscured or corrupted. It serves as a crucial addition to the canon, broadening our understanding of the sacred texts and affirming our commitment to a comprehensive Christian faith.