The Lost Books of the Bible
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Book Reviews of The Lost Books of the Bible
Book Review: Back to my roots
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this back in college and just now got around to reading it. It's basically a collection of apocryphal and otherwise "unaccepted" texts regarding Jesus of Nazareth and his apostles.
Most of it was letters to various congregations, with messages such as "Be more patient with eachother. Infighting doesn't do us any good" and "Jesus still love you even though he's gone to Heaven". However, the parts I found interesting as a former Catholic were the books that filled in some of the blanks about Jesus' life, particularly as a child.
Apparently Jesus was not the nicest kid to be around. He was incredibly intelligent and confounded his teachers to no end because he already knew everything. However, what really got me was how he treated people who made him angry. On more than one occasion he killed his playmates if they made him made, transformed them into goats for the fun of it, or otherwise wreaked havoc til the neighbors complained and Joseph and Mary had to bring him inside. No wonder the early church fathers cut these out of the Bible! Not a very flattering picture!
However, there were some interesting "rest of the stories" about his adulthood, too. Apparently the robbers who were crucified next to him came from an incident in his childhood, and that was an intrguing tie-in. In fact, a lot of the folks from his childhood came back to play key roles as her got older; many of the apostles were children he healed of illnesses. I also thought the description of Jesus descending into Hell after the crucifixion and pulling Adam out of there was an appropriate story.
I like this because it makes the Christian mythos more complete. Some of it, to be sure, came about long after his death, but then again great figures in history and mythology often grow greater with the passing years.
To be sure, I'm still comfortable in my own (non-Christian) beliefs. However, this is a nice addition to the traditions I was raised in as a child, the stuff they don;'t teach you in Catholic school.
Book Review: 26 Books to provoke your Thoughts
Summary: 5 Stars
A good variety and collection of books which, for whatever reason, were excluded by the early Church councils from what became the Old Testament and New Testament.
Initially published as a group in 1926, each one of the "Lost Books" includes a brief introduction giving background and history. Like the editors of this two-part volume, I do not feel it is necessary to share my opinion of the historicity of these works, each reader can decide for him or herself what is shadow and what is worthy in his own esteem, and consider the debate which at one time engulfed some of these books.
This volume is divided into two sections. The first is called "Lost Books of the Bible", and includes works which deal with Jesus & Company, and may at one time have been considered part of the New Testament Gospel in various bishoprics (prioe to successive Councils and later the establishment of Roman and other Orthodox sects). Includes are the following 26 "lost" books:
Mary, Protevangelion, I. Infancy, II. Infancy, Christ and Abgarus, Nicodemus, The Apostles' Creed, Laodiceans, Paul and Senica, Paul and Thecla, I. Clement, II. Clement, Barnabus, Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrnaeans, Polycarp, Philippians, I. Hermas-Visions, II. Herman-Commands, III. Hermas-Similitudes, Letters of Herod and Pilate, The Last Gospel of Peter
There is even room in the margin for little notes to yourself as you read. I found it helpful to devote a specific portion of time to each chapter and consider its implications, weigh the quality of the writing, etc. This is an interesting window into the formation of Christianity during its first several hundred years. Also, don't miss the book "The Lost Books of Eden", which covers *JEWISH WORKS* :) which were not included in the Canon due to their more recent origin (ONLY about 2,200-2,000 years old).
Book Review: Worth owning; other editions have better notes
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a reprinting (no updates) of a text published in 1928. It contains Christian (New Testament) "apocrypha and pseudepigrapha" (hereafter NTAP) -- books which some considered to be scripture in the past, but which were not included in the canonical Bible as used by mainstream Christians today.
This book (available in several different printings, sometimes bound with "The Lost Books of Eden") is the most economical way to get acquainted with this material. It includes some simple critical notes describing the origins of these texts. If you have a larger budget, the current standard edition (available through AMAZON.COM) is Schneemelcher's "New Testament Apocrypha."
The original publication dates are important here, because biblical archaeology and textual studies have progressed substantially in the past seventy years. For example, this book predates the discovery of the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas, and accordingly does not include it.
The NTAP is the source of many Christian traditions. For instance, many believe that Mary's mother was Saint Anne. The only written source for this information is the "Protovangelion", in the NTAP.
On the other hand, The "Infancy Gospel", included in this book, claims to tell stories of the early days of Jesus's life. I think any committed Christian reading the "Infancy Gospel" would understand why the Church Fathers believed it was not Inspired and therefore did not include it in the canonical Bible. It presents Jesus as divine, yet also having the personality of a five-year-old boy. For example: "When the Lord Jesus was coming home in the evening with Joseph, he met a boy who ran so hard against him, that he threw him down; To whom the Lord Jesus said `As thou hast thrown me down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever rise.' And that moment the boy fell down and died." (I infancy, Ch. XIX, vv. 22-24)
Book Review: Buy this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
As an avid reader of scripture and one seeking all potential sources of God's word, whether directly from his being, or inspired, I take this reading very seriously. I always read the customer reviews before I buy the book. I have noticed an overwhelming pessimist or sometimes athiest attitude being prevelant in the reviews of many of the religiously based writings. I have this to say, that I am an intelligent person, I don't believe in force feeding religion to the people, we all must come to our own conclusion, and we are justified in having a backbone, but let us not attack each others standpoints in a battle which we will gain nothing. Now, if you're still reading, you might be interested in this book. In my personal opinion this is a great book with the possibility of some of the contents being of divine inspiration. Whether it is of divine inspiration is always up to the individual and this has been since the beginning and applies to any religious text. Every person must investigate and form their own beliefs. Some of the text in this book contains great verses, as well as all sorts of un-biased reflections, however unusual or contradictory they may be. I believe the contradictions contained show a sense of sincerity. If you are truly searching for every last word of God or even possibly history, this book will raise your faith, or lower it depending on your reasoning. It honestly raised my faith and is definately interesting. Buy it and add it to your library and you will not be dissapointed.Book Review: Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha Classics
Summary: 4 Stars
While it is true that these are considered the classics of the category of manuscripts considered noncanonical New Testament, that doesn't necessarily make them useful as teachings of "secret" or "hidden" wisdom. I found the texts a bit difficult and dull, with perhaps some interesting legends of The Infancy and Mary. The language isn't poetic or eloquent. In short, these are not Gnostic, and they are so blatantly late that I must wonder at how they could have ever been considered gospel. On the other hand, maybe it is a good indicator of just how alien Christianity was to the European mind, at the time. They are more like provincial spins on the Jesus story, and I read in them the beginnings of the whole mystique and superstition synthesized by the Catholic Church into what is now its main stay. My copy is the 1979 edition, which I probably paid $2 for at a flea market, and so, in that respect, it is a treasure. As has been stated by previous reviewers, it is worth acquiring if the price is right, and they can be interesting if you put yourself into the right frame of mind.
The medieval illustrations are interesting accompaniment.