Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Here is an array of remarkably varied writings from early Christian groups whose visions of Jesus differ dramatically from our contemporary understanding. Readers will find Gospels supposedly authored by the apostle Philip, James the brother of Jesus, Mary Magdalen, and others. There are Acts originally ascribed to John and to Thecla, Paul's female companion; there are Epistles allegedly written by Paul to the Roman philosopher Seneca. And there is an apocalypse by Simon Peter that offers a guided tour of the afterlife, both the glorious ecstasies of the saints and the horrendous torments of the damned, and an Epistle by Titus, a companion of Paul, which argues page after page against sexual love, even within marriage, on the grounds that physical intimacy leads to damnation.
In all, the anthology includes fifteen Gospels, five non-canonical Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles, a number of Apocalypses and Secret Books, and several Canon lists. Ehrman has included a general introduction, plus brief introductions to each piece. This important anthology gives readers a vivid picture of the range of beliefs that battled each other in the first centuries of the Christian era.
"The author of more than ten books on New Testament history and early Christian writings, Ehrman has established himself as an expert on early Christianity. These two works should soundly solidify his stature, as they illuminate the flavor and varieties of early Christian belief."--Library Journal (on Lost Christianities and Lost Scriptures)
"History, it's often said, is written by the victors. Bart Ehrman argues in a pair of intriguing new books that the same could be said of the Bible's New Testament.... Will shock more than a few lay readers."--The Boston Globe
"Lost Scriptures provides a good sample of the literature and illustrates nicely the complex and often exotic world of second- and third-century Christianity."--America
"Fresh authoritative translations of the texts that fell outside in the canon."--Christian Science Monitor
General Introduction NON-CANONICAL GOSPELS The Gospel of the Nazareans The Gospel According to the Ebionites The Gospel According to the Hebrews The Gospel According to the Egyptians The Coptic Gospel of Thomas Papyrus Egerton 2: The Unknown Gospel The Gospel of Peter The Gospel of Mary The Gospel of Philip The Gospel of Truth The Gospel of the Savior The Infancy Gospel of Thomas The Proto-Gospel of James The Epistle of the Apostles The Coptic Apocalypse of Peter The Second Treatise of Great Seth The Secret Gospel of Mark NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Acts of John The Acts of Paul The Acts of Thecla The Acts of Thomas The Acts of Peter NON-CANONICAL EPISTLES AND RELATED WRITINGS The Third Letter to the Corinthians Correspondence of Paul and Seneca Paul's Letter to the Laodiceans The Letter of 1 Clement The Letter of 2 Clement The "Letter of Peter to James" and its "Reception"
The Homilies of Clement Ptolemy's Letter to Flora The Treatise of the Resurrection The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles The Letter of Barnabas The Preachings of Peter Pseudo-Titus NON-CANONICAL APOCALYPSES AND REVELATORY TREATISES The Shepherd of Herman The Apocalypse of Peter The Apocalypse of Paul The Secret Book of John On the Origin of the World The First Thought in Three Forms The Hymn of the Pearl CANONICAL LISTS The Muratorian Canon The Canon of Origen of Alexandria The Canon of Eusebius The Canon of Athansius of Alexandria The Canon at the Third Synod of Carthage
As with many of Ehrman's writings, I found this to be thoroughly entertaining and accessible. I am a particular fan of this type of history of the various forms of Christianity and Ehrman provides some fine examples of the various writings left out of the New Testament (for a variety of reasons). Don't read this as an attack on religion, a view that these books should have been included or anything like that. The fact is that they were written as someone's belief (Gnostic and otherwise) and are legitimate views. And to the other reviewers. Please stick to reviewing the book at hand and not pontificating about your various views. There are other (and far better) forums for that type of discussion.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 15, 2005
I am fascinated that so many christians are so quick to turn to the bible to reinforce and confirm their views on homosexuality being a sin. These so called people believe that every word in the bible was inspired by the heavenly Creator Himself. I on the other hand do not, I think that those people who clain that everyword is an order, law or layout for how we are to live our lives, ought to take a closer look at the bible. First of all, the bible is very clear at letting us know exactly when GOD is speaking as well as when JESUS is speaking. There are several accounts in the old testament where GOD is walking with or talking with people. Such ex's. are- adam and eve, in the garden-Moses and the 10 commandments, Noah, and warning him of the flood, Issac, and Jacob. David, Joseph, as well as shadrac, meishac, and abendigo, in the fire, even lott. In the new testament, again, we are clear as to when JESUS , is commanding, healing and spreading the new doctrines, and laws to be obeyed. I guess that my point to all of this is that, the people critisizing gay people coming in the name of JESUS, who scream their going against GOD's Laws or HIS word, should look at the times that we know for sure when they are talking. Isn't it funny that the subject isn't brought up once, which leads me to believe that the times that it is mentioned is nothing more than opinions, or laws, customs of the times, as to what was accepted and what wasn't..
6 out of 21 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2012
If you are interesting in taking your knowledge of biblical scripture this is the book to help you get started.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2007
How this person dares to say 'I am fascinated that so many christians are so quick to turn to the bible to reinforce and confirm their views on homosexuality being a sin. These so called people believe that every word in the bible was inspired by the heavenly Creator Himself. I on the other hand do not, I think that those people who clain that everyword is an order, law or layout for how we are to live our lives, ought to take a closer look at the bible' You MUST take a closer look at the bible yourself...because rigth now you sound very ignorent!!! Take a look Lv 18: 1-30 and you will have your answer. Good luck!
0 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 31, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 4, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 9, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 20, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 28, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 29, 2008
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 26, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
While most people think that the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are the only sacred writings of the early Christians, this is not at all the case. A companion volume to Bart Ehrman's Lost Christianities, this book offers an anthology of up-to-date and readable translations of many non-canonical writings from the first centuries after Christ--texts that have been for the most part lost or neglected for almost two millennia.
Here is an array of remarkably varied writings...