The Apocryphal New Testament: A Collection of Apocryphal Christian Literature in an English Translation

by J. Keith Elliott (Editor)

This collection of apocryphal texts supersedes the best-selling edition by M.R. James, which was originally published in 1924. Several new texts have come to light since 1924 and the textual base for some of the apocrypha previously translated by James is now more secure, as in several cases there are now recently published critical editions available. Although a modest addition to James's edition was made in 1953, no thorough revision has previously been undertaken. In this volume, J.K. Elliott presents new translations of the texts and has provided each of them with a short introduction and bibliography for readers who wish to pursue further the issues raised in the texts or to consult the critical editions, other translations, or general studies. The translations are in modern English, in contrast to James's deliberate imitation of the language of the Authorized Version. The collection is designed to give readers the most important or famous of the Christian apocrypha and a
small sample of gnostic texts. Full translations of the earliest texts are printed, as well as some derivative apocrypha.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Reference, Biblical

747 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 1993

About the author

Dr. James Keith Elliott

Reviews

[Porter Sprigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fascinating literature. It's well compiled and well organized and I learned a lot about early Christianity and some of its strange doctrines. It would feel weird to give a collection of heresies 5 stars though so 4 it is.

[Samuel J.]

In a class on the Cult of the Saints in BU Religion department I was introduced to Christian apocryphal literature for the first time. I had never heard of Thecla, Paul's female convert, who was the most famous female saint, other than Mary, in the early Church. Thus far I have read the Acts of Paul, John, Thomas, and Andrew. The Acts of Thomas records Jesus selling Thomas as a slave to India. Hilarious. If anything these stories are bizarre and thus very interesting.

[Lukerik · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some fine qualities. The English is modern and unpretentious. There’s a good selection of texts that show the range of what these early Christians were writing. The organisation of the material is excellent. Despite this I would like to register some complaints.

I should say that I’ve come here from Charlesworth’s Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and have probably been spoiled. The introductions there are deep and precise and really give you a deep drive into the ancient world, which is what I’m here for. The introductions in this book are vague. The entire book has been done by J. K. Elliott working alone. I’m sure he’s very knowledgeable, but no one man can be an expert in all of these texts.

Secondly, many of the texts are extracts or summaries, yet this is not clearly indicated on the contents page so I’d be halfway through a meandering starter before discovering that the chef is too drunk to continue. Some of this is no doubt down to cost, but Elliott only has Greek and Latin. If there is a book in another language he cannot include it unless he has someone else’s translation available to him. A case in point would be the Arabic Infancy Gospel. He describes this as follows: 'Ignorance, folly and mendacity are here at least as conspicuous as piety' and ‘They smack of the 'Thousand and One Nights' rather than pious Christian literature.’ Sold. That’s how you get me to read a book. Yet where is it? Not between these covers I can assure you.

I abandoning it at this point and switching to Schneemelcher’s New Testament Apocrypha. It appears to have all the texts that this book has and more. From what I can see it has the same kind of introductions as Charlesworth. Some of its contents are also extracts but at least it’s honest about them on the contents page. Unfortunately it would seem that the Arabic Infancy Gospel is here only in extracts also. My other option is Robert’s and Donaldson’s Ante-Nicene Christian Library which is comprehensive down to 1870. I was hoping to avoid this as it’s too old to provide good introductions and I’ve got a horrible feeling it’s going to be all unnecessary theeing and thouing. Wish me luck.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have another version of the Apocryphal New Testament, but the same writings. It is an unusual book. You can understand why these writings did not make it into the Bible, but they are interesting to read.

[Trever · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume sacrifices a lot of readability to insure it meets high academic standards.