The Forgotten Books of Eden

by Rutherford H. Platt Jr., Paul Tice (Foreword), William N. Guthrie (Introduction)

This work contains twenty ancient holy books, many of which were rejected from the Old Testament. Some of these books were later preserved by the early Christian Church as Apocryphal writings, often inserted in Bibles between the Old and New Testaments. They were originally recognized by the Jews as Pseudepigrapha because they were attributed to writers that were long since passed, in an effort to give them sanctity. It is these that are reproduced in this volume. Some of the titles include The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve, The Secrets of Enoch, The Psalms of Solomon, The Odes of Solomon, The Story of Ahikar, and The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. More and more interest is being paid to excluded texts, and this collection falls into that category, having added another interesting dimension to lost Biblical texts.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Reference, History

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Aka Rutherford Hayes Platt

Reviews

[KamRun · Rating 3 out of 5]

در حال خواندن مجموعه سوداپیگرافای عهد عتیق هستم. بعد از اتمام کتاب ریویوش رو می‌نویسم ولی فعلا، بخش‌هایی زیر رو خوندم و در موردشون نوشتم

- کتاب اول آدم و حوا
- کتاب دوم آدم و حوا
- رازهای خنوخ
- مزامیر سلیمان
- قصاید سلیمان
- عهدهای دوازده شیخ

[José Monico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Pseudepigraphical tome is definitely on par with some of the most fantastical stories I have read. The embellishment and exaggeration is on par with most unverifiable Christian books out there, but three of the tales written here definitely stick out: mainly 1, 2 Adam & Eve (AE) and 2 Enoch; the former two filling up about 1/3rd of the compilation. It’s best to note that most of the books here are currently mere quirks in the long history of Christendom. The lack of canonicity does not imply any lack of significance, however. All of these books were written for a purpose – likewise all canon material. But the ultra-bias is very evident: either through the acceptance of the Septuagint (Ahikar), the development of “Satan”, or attempts to fill gaps to explain (Metatron origins) and much more.

Speaking about Metatron (Enoch), 2 Enoch was one of the most memorable reads in here. This Patriarch ascends to all ten levels of Heaven; each chapter exploiting some of the richest detail any biblical text will ever describe! Eventually, the protagonist ascends to the final level and describes God in all his glory: depending on whom you talk to, this text might seem incredibly heretical (but quite the pleasant surprise).
One of the most off-putting things was the first-half chronology of 1 AE; the structure on that half is incredibly exhaustive. It basically depicts the early interactions between “Belial” (then changed to Satan) and Adam and Eve—and the latter’s inability to adapt to flesh-life. That section is comprised of nothing but a Tom & Jerry short…for each chapter. Nevertheless, the first covenant is strongly dictated here, and the story serves the purpose of laying out the ground work for Judeo-Christian ideology.

As with all Christian material, I pay my due diligence by going a bit further with each book through secondary material (essays, wikis and blurbs) to get another perspective and further insight. And while it is all very fascinating and opens up a critical eye, don’t get too caught up trying to uncover every symbolic and relative detail. E.g., I came upon a post about the evolution of Satan throughout the years, and it’s incredibly fascinating to see the non-linear progression of his depiction in this book-- Which makes for a general – but redundant – way to ballpark the date of each story. And I'm sure I have missed a plethora of other insights by simply being a curious biblical reader.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Companion to The Lost Books of the Bible, but called the pseudepigrapha because the attributions are not the true authors. It starts with the two books of "Adam and Eve" which account for the time between their Edenic expulsion and the Flood. Unsurprisingly, they have a difficult time coming to terms with their punishment, Adam being particularly whiny, but God is nice enough to keep reiterating that they should've cared this much about the consequences BEFORE they ate the wrong fruit. Now, they're stuck outside for 5500 years (not 43 days, Adam) and they've got to stop killing themselves through either misadventure or physical neglect. (Again, God is nice enough to keep resurrecting Adam and Eve until they accept their punishment.) Another mystery solved is that both Cain and Abel had twin sisters, Luluwa and Aklemia, respectively. Satan tells Cain that his brother is the favored one because he'll get to marry the beautiful Luluwa unless Cain takes matters into his own hands. (The burnt offering explanation never made any sense to me.) Cain is then cursed and expelled down the mountain where his descendants become the people wiped away by the Flood. Adam and Eve then beget Seth who marries his sister (third sister?) Aklia and stays on the mountain to become the good people. Another odd fact is that the body of Joseph was on the Ark and was supposed to be interred in the middle of the earth where salvation shall come. (Jerusalem?) And that's only the start of these amazing works. The Book of Enoch is the most frequently cited, but there are other references to the Watchers throughout as well as wonderful poetry and sage advice.

[Vincent Konrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't really review this sort of thing I guess. Mostly reads like the bible (unsurprisingly). You'd have to do some deep reading and analysis to get any mystical secrets out of the mystical books, but that's par for the course.

The highlight of the collection is the two books of Eden, detailing Adam and Eve's life immediately after being cast out. They're such idiots! Charming idiots though. Terrified of the burning fire in the sky as the sun rises, and afraid and mournful that it is gone forever when it sets, but God reassures them and explains what's happening. Same goes for new experiences like hunger and thirst.

[Robert Johnston]

Blatant corruption

It's blatantly in error. wron




. Biblical theology is absent. Written by a bad rapist monk.
Alm

Absolute bunk. Completely contrary to reformed Xtian theology. May have worked in the 10th century. It's non-value added to modern theology.










monk

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books are forgotten for good reasons. These books have not been included in the canon of Scriptures for various reasons. I learned that in some cases the books of the pseudepigrapha were written hundreds and in some cases thousands of years after those who they were credited to were dead and gone. To me, these books contain nothing worthy of being called Scripture, and yet contained in them are some good wisdom, interesting storytelling, historical facts. I liked reading it because it contained insight into what people of these ancient times believed.

I read these forgotten books with the same perspective of reading a good historical fiction. They gave account of what happened to Adam and Eve after their fall and expulsion from Eden. There were chapters of proverbs and wisdom. The fourth book of Maccabees she light on more of the history of the intertestamental period. The final section were the deathbed confessions and blessings of the 12 sons of Jacob.

It is important to know what you believe before reading a book like this. I believe the true Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. These books had some value though not to add from or take away from the Christian Bible.

[Dianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this among my dad's things after he passed. I was somewhat surprised since he was a fundamentalist Christian. I was raised that way but although I still consider myself a Christian because I follow the teachings of Christ, I am very liberal and search for accuracy in everything.

I'm currently reading the First Book of Adam and Eve, which I can say is not accurate. It mentions the Sabath as Sunday and everyone who knows anything about the Bible knows that the Sabath is Saturday. So far, I am very disappointed.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

'It is not too much to say that no modern can intelligently understand the New Testament, unless he is acquainted with the so-called "Apocrypha", and with the "Pseudepigrapha" as well'. I love the Letter of Aristeas too.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting...not scripture but soo interesting.

[Doug Diegert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bargain Special Now $4.77 (Kmart)

[Thing One · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different relling of the early Judaochristian creation mythology, this expands the stories and gives a broader picture.