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The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden
Suppressed by the early Church Fathers who compiled the Bible, these Apocryphal Books have for centuries been shrouded in silence.
Now, for the first time in paperback, the reader can discover the hidden beauties of the Lost Books. To be found in this volume are the Apostles’ Creed, the Psalms and Odes of Solomon, and other Apocryphal writings that have become part of our religious heritage. The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, of Adam and Eve, of the girlhood and betrothal of Mary, of the childhood of Jesus, are here in all the warmth, intimacy, and humanity of their first telling.
Now, for the first time in paperback, the reader can discover the hidden beauties of the Lost Books. To be found in this volume are the Apostles’ Creed, the Psalms and Odes of Solomon, and other Apocryphal writings that have become part of our religious heritage. The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, of Adam and Eve, of the girlhood and betrothal of Mary, of the childhood of Jesus, are here in all the warmth, intimacy, and humanity of their first telling.
640 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1926
99 people are currently reading
1367 people want to read
About the author
Rutherford Hayes Platt
57 books18 followersRutherford Hayes Platt Jr. was an American nature writer, photographer, and advertising executive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherf...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherf...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 9, 2012
This is a very interesting read but a little dry (as many of those religious texts can be). I've always found the old testament to be an interesting read with the Christian-Jewish roots. I've undertaken a bit of investigation in to this particular collection of texts and found that there have been many alterations to the Bible. The alterations (or more accurately 'omissions') come from various religious institutions, so it is no wonder that people are becoming more and more questioning of organised religion (which should not be confused with Faith which is as strong as ever).
So here is some things I have found over time:
There was no specific list or accounting of all the books that made up the Bible until the commission of the first Bible by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century AD. The books that make up the Authorized King James Bible were chosen by men, not divine forces. The language of the King James Bible is obscure and limited.
In the Catholic Church their Bible is the Douay-Rheims Bible consisting of 73 books.
In the Protestant Church only the 66 books approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1885, which today is known as the Authorised King James Bible, are used. No other books, neither the Apocrypha, which was included in the original King James Bible, nor the 22 books mentioned or quoted in the King James Bible, are considered inspired.
Human history has allowed precious few ancient religious writings to survive the onslaught of the more aggressive and powerful religious forces, which seek only to gain territory, wealth and power. Genocide and cultural eradication always go hand in hand with missionary zeal. In many cases every trace of the conquered society's religious writings, practices, icons, and even buildings were destroyed, in the name of conversion from worship of gods considered evil, and religious customs labelled as heresies. What generally results from past crusades is the conqueror's religion replacing or predominantly blending with the conquered culture's former religious practice, making the religion almost unrecognisable. Christianity falls into the latter category, having been the victim of the Roman Empire, under the Emperor Constantine, who blended the Christian Church with the institutionalised "pagan" practices of Rome and eliminated any semblance of either the Jewish religious influence or the first church Jesus established during his ministry.
So, with this in mind, it makes 'The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden' a very interesting read. Even if these texts have fallen victim to the same distortion as other religious texts.
So here is some things I have found over time:
There was no specific list or accounting of all the books that made up the Bible until the commission of the first Bible by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century AD. The books that make up the Authorized King James Bible were chosen by men, not divine forces. The language of the King James Bible is obscure and limited.
In the Catholic Church their Bible is the Douay-Rheims Bible consisting of 73 books.
In the Protestant Church only the 66 books approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1885, which today is known as the Authorised King James Bible, are used. No other books, neither the Apocrypha, which was included in the original King James Bible, nor the 22 books mentioned or quoted in the King James Bible, are considered inspired.
Human history has allowed precious few ancient religious writings to survive the onslaught of the more aggressive and powerful religious forces, which seek only to gain territory, wealth and power. Genocide and cultural eradication always go hand in hand with missionary zeal. In many cases every trace of the conquered society's religious writings, practices, icons, and even buildings were destroyed, in the name of conversion from worship of gods considered evil, and religious customs labelled as heresies. What generally results from past crusades is the conqueror's religion replacing or predominantly blending with the conquered culture's former religious practice, making the religion almost unrecognisable. Christianity falls into the latter category, having been the victim of the Roman Empire, under the Emperor Constantine, who blended the Christian Church with the institutionalised "pagan" practices of Rome and eliminated any semblance of either the Jewish religious influence or the first church Jesus established during his ministry.
So, with this in mind, it makes 'The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden' a very interesting read. Even if these texts have fallen victim to the same distortion as other religious texts.
September 10, 2016
As a Christian, this was a fascinating journey further into the forgotten books of the Bible. In truth, i had some knowledge of these books but not enough. These books were labeled 'forbidden' hundreds of years ago but available to be read and studied for decades. Reading this book will expand one's knowledge of biblical topics and make one say 'Aha!" One will learn more about Adam & Eve's other children two daughters, their trials after their expulsion and the journeys of Enoch. One will get an insight to Jesus and His times through other excluded shorter epistles, gospels and letter. Overall, there is much to be learned here if one approaches with an open mind and heart.
January 2, 2015
I decided to finish the end of the year with a bit of Christian immersion. I picked up a King James Bible thinking it would have apocryphal and pseudepigraphical inclusions in its tome. Luckily, an acquaintance came to the rescue when I saw my KJV only includes the OT-NT traditional format. I can’t say if the Lost Books of the Bible is exhaustive and complete, but it definitely is comprehensive. As far as its structure, I love the preamble to each new book, and its added support/blurb after each new chapter. I decided to read further on the internet while going through each story, and I found most of the preludes to have a more scholarly tone; and they definitely lack reference.
The books themselves were a mix of radicalism, to moderate canon; most often going into the propagandistic—centralizing against Judaism and its “faults” with the fall of Jesus. The blame is ever-present in Herod’s letters to Pilate; and subsequently, Pilate’s letters to Tiberius. In fact, through the sparse, but focused mentions of Pontius, the literature makes it clear that only absolute absolution for his participation in the death of Christ will do—to the point of describing his exaltation by the hands of God himself, at the time of his death (in Acts of Pilate). However, this definitely does not sway too much from canon, as the NT agenda does its best to downplay the Roman hegemon—e.g., Ethiopian recognition of Pilate as a saint.
Other highlights include the description of the killing(s) of a youth-Jesus: from his instructor, to a rock-throwing/tripping young companion; and the post-resurrection visit to hell as the Trinity fulfills its promise to Adam, 5,500 years prior due to his transgression(s). In this book, Jesus hands the Devil over the Prince of Hell (Beelzebub?) as he saves the patriarch lineage after so many years.
With all this extreme tale-telling, it is all under the guise of normative Christian morality: asceticism, temperance, piety, fear, forgiveness and single-mindedness. It is also important to note that most of the literature in this book is not taken seriously by contemporary-modern scholarship. Which is a given, since they all fall under the apocryphal section and not the accepted canon; however, some of these books had at one point during the evolution of Christianity been in Catholic or Orthodox sermons (not including the Ethiopian church).
Overall, a read that needs secondary sources for adept comprehension and full enjoyment – but like all antiquated works, I believe this is presumed. This was an incredibly eye-opening look into the radical and transparent side of Christianity.
The books themselves were a mix of radicalism, to moderate canon; most often going into the propagandistic—centralizing against Judaism and its “faults” with the fall of Jesus. The blame is ever-present in Herod’s letters to Pilate; and subsequently, Pilate’s letters to Tiberius. In fact, through the sparse, but focused mentions of Pontius, the literature makes it clear that only absolute absolution for his participation in the death of Christ will do—to the point of describing his exaltation by the hands of God himself, at the time of his death (in Acts of Pilate). However, this definitely does not sway too much from canon, as the NT agenda does its best to downplay the Roman hegemon—e.g., Ethiopian recognition of Pilate as a saint.
Other highlights include the description of the killing(s) of a youth-Jesus: from his instructor, to a rock-throwing/tripping young companion; and the post-resurrection visit to hell as the Trinity fulfills its promise to Adam, 5,500 years prior due to his transgression(s). In this book, Jesus hands the Devil over the Prince of Hell (Beelzebub?) as he saves the patriarch lineage after so many years.
With all this extreme tale-telling, it is all under the guise of normative Christian morality: asceticism, temperance, piety, fear, forgiveness and single-mindedness. It is also important to note that most of the literature in this book is not taken seriously by contemporary-modern scholarship. Which is a given, since they all fall under the apocryphal section and not the accepted canon; however, some of these books had at one point during the evolution of Christianity been in Catholic or Orthodox sermons (not including the Ethiopian church).
Overall, a read that needs secondary sources for adept comprehension and full enjoyment – but like all antiquated works, I believe this is presumed. This was an incredibly eye-opening look into the radical and transparent side of Christianity.
September 19, 2015
Excellent resource for "those other" books not placed into the canon of Scripture. These were intentionally left out of the canon of Scripture because they do not match up with rest of Scripture. These are considered inspirational writings, but not the Word of God. My favorite among them is the Book of Enoch which ironically enough is alluded to in the Book of Jude. Quite an interesting read, especially Enoch's description of the various levels of Heaven.
October 23, 2012
Once I opened the book, it starts off with Mary's story and a little genealogy concerning her family history: father/mother unable to have a child and then was blessed with a daughter, Mary. The writing is a bit dry and slightly boring just starting out and hope it gets better.
Starting with the book of Mary; seems a tad bit strange that Joachim and Anna were without child, but later the angel spoke to them both separately yet with Anna specifically told her that she would be blessed to have the child, the Lord, once she comes of age and later Joachim and his wife are in shock when she is a virgin, set to be married to Joseph, is with child by the Holy Spirit...when the angel made it clear to Anna for sure according to these missing books of the Bible. (I guess movie versions made it seem that way, especially in the Navity).
Reading "the Protevangelion" chapter 13, first verse, "and leaving her and her sons in the cave..." and Joseph went to seek a Hebrew midwife. Who are the sons? Her sons? When Mary is carrying the son of God, Jesus, and about to have him but at least we see he went to get a midwide and didn't do it alone or stood by Mary while giving birth. So far, some parts of this forgotten books are slightly confusing and should not be if it is the Word of God. I also see the first few chapters speak highly of the "priests" and Mary given to them, like Samuel was given to the priest Eli except she was given to the high priests (plural vs. singular sense).
There was another passage where I read that church of God, Catholic Church. So this let me know where this book was written from. However, I am loving the book: Clements, who was a disciple of Peter. I've taken numerous notes from this book for my sermon teaching tonight on DYRP Midnight Hour, www.talkshoe.com/tc/91725 on "Let it Stick". I will also read "Adam and Eve" book before returning it back to the library (on hold item and overdue).
Adrienna Turner,
Author of "God is in the Equation"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
Starting with the book of Mary; seems a tad bit strange that Joachim and Anna were without child, but later the angel spoke to them both separately yet with Anna specifically told her that she would be blessed to have the child, the Lord, once she comes of age and later Joachim and his wife are in shock when she is a virgin, set to be married to Joseph, is with child by the Holy Spirit...when the angel made it clear to Anna for sure according to these missing books of the Bible. (I guess movie versions made it seem that way, especially in the Navity).
Reading "the Protevangelion" chapter 13, first verse, "and leaving her and her sons in the cave..." and Joseph went to seek a Hebrew midwife. Who are the sons? Her sons? When Mary is carrying the son of God, Jesus, and about to have him but at least we see he went to get a midwide and didn't do it alone or stood by Mary while giving birth. So far, some parts of this forgotten books are slightly confusing and should not be if it is the Word of God. I also see the first few chapters speak highly of the "priests" and Mary given to them, like Samuel was given to the priest Eli except she was given to the high priests (plural vs. singular sense).
There was another passage where I read that church of God, Catholic Church. So this let me know where this book was written from. However, I am loving the book: Clements, who was a disciple of Peter. I've taken numerous notes from this book for my sermon teaching tonight on DYRP Midnight Hour, www.talkshoe.com/tc/91725 on "Let it Stick". I will also read "Adam and Eve" book before returning it back to the library (on hold item and overdue).
Adrienna Turner,
Author of "God is in the Equation"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
November 30, 2009
There are so many books that were not included in our modern bible. These do not mean that their literary or historical values are of any less. While reading this book, let's keep in mind what the bible teaches.
May 17, 2014
Wonderful! These "omitted" books were amazing. I'm not sure why they were omitted, but I feel that as a Christian, it answered some questions that I have always had. I feel that it has brought me closer to God and reinforced my faith.
September 1, 2009
Outstanding book for the learned.
Want to read
February 7, 2020No
May 25, 2018
The Lost Books of the Bible present Folk Tales - stories told by contemporary fiction writers of historical Bible times - in fascinating and beautiful style. Some are presumed more factual than others by virtue of being written by a disciple or someone who knew the disciples (eg Nicodemus) or highly esteemed by men in church of Rome (eg Epistle of Paul to Laodiceans). Some gospels and epistles had actually been read in the early church but were not accepted for the canon. Others were written by gnostics who did not believe Jesus was the Christ and wrote some pretty satirical and insulting tales. Some fun "facts" include: while pregnant and also while traveling to Egypt, Mary herself had healing powers and as well as used Jesus' swaddling clothes to perform miracles. The names of the two men on the cross with Jesus were reported as Dimas on His right and Gestas at his left hand; Veronica was the name of the woman who touch His cloak and was healed from bleeding. And, of course, the mythical tales of Jesus creating doves from clay on the Sabbath. While many passages are identical to or similar to actual Bible verses, it is important to keep in mind that they are not approved canon and should be taken with a grain of salt.
May 19, 2024
Human beings have always surprised me they kill their children, burn books (Library of Alexandria) & forget their own history then claim it did not exist. Whatever the Devil's intention was for having omitted these books we will never know. But one thing is for sure, this was part of his plans. And just the way he tricked Eve at the Garden of Eden, he is doing the same to the generations that follow. Poisoning their minds.
He somehow managed to destroy parts of our history so that we can never know our past. I am extremely thankful to those who wrote this book (Rutherford Platt).
He somehow managed to destroy parts of our history so that we can never know our past. I am extremely thankful to those who wrote this book (Rutherford Platt).
March 27, 2019
Every Christian should read this from cover to cover.
September 8, 2021
The Truth set's you free, but beware of it's possession for some people misunderstands it.
November 2, 2014
I read this book back in 1994 actually, and I have it in my reference library today... I also read the book AGAIN in 1995 just after my Baptism because of all the writings in it that tied in with the "Doctrines of Mormonism"! This book is taken from translations in Greek and Hebrew from the Vatican and a couple other sources which were and are kept from the public in the dungeons and basements under Vatican city. Much of what is contained in the Book of Mormon as doctrinal and LDS Doctrines which are not "Main Stream" Christianity are contained in this book and are amazing, even some stories that tell of stories from other Prophets are in this book! It is a good read, my copy is filled with Outlinings of the doctrines and familiar tones of Mormonism and Native American beliefs in The Great White Spirit, and in the Atonement and the "Heavens" and Salvation of Children and so forth that is not believed by other churches, yet people know to be true in their hearts, including "Pre-Existance" the Plan of Salvation and other awesome truths lost to the world through the apostasy and the dark ages (Apostasy). This book is Amazing for ones Spiritual Growth and gaining more insight into the truth's God wants you to know. It needs to be read with Prayer and Guidance of the Spirit though, that will become apparent as portions of the book (Books) in the book are read. You will learn things you will bring up to Sunday School Classes in the future that will be intellectually and Spiritually Stimulating to all who listen to your comments.
July 16, 2007
A fascinating peek at Christian works rejected or ignored by the Church Fathers. From "The Letters of Herod and Pilate" to the multiple suicides of Adam and Eve, these tales, parables, and gospels provide a glimpse of a diverse Christian past.
April 4, 2008
In "The Protoevangelion of James" it explains some of the beliefs about the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. The Gospel of Nicodemus also has some stuff found in Orthodox and Catholic beliefs...
Want to read
December 26, 2012I'm thoroughly enjoying this. There is a lot there that is of interest to me and will be to anyone who is a scholar of the Bible, religion and history. Would be interesting to know the provenance of all the books.
January 19, 2008
very interesting. I'm not going to lose sleep over the content but I think a lot of it is credible.
February 19, 2008
I actually have read a little but I can tell I need to come back to this after I read the Lost Teachings of Jesus by Elizabeth Clare Prophet because i want to compare notes.....
Want to read
February 18, 2017I've read parts of it, but not the entire book.
December 20, 2009
people should read the book of enoch and odes of solomon out of this amazing book.
July 8, 2012
Every bible reader I know can tell you the books to the bible but they can't name any of the editors of the bible?
March 22, 2013
Some interesting (and also some bizarre) stuff to be found in this volume. It gets four stars because of the Shepherd of Hermas, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 8, 2014
Good and surprising, one will think why the stores were not canonized. T is wonderful
January 10, 2016
It's very good.
Read
March 5, 2013i love this book
August 10, 2015
Fascinating reading. Not really sure if it's all true, but it was interesting to read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews