"Non-canonical" Religious Texts in Early Judaism and Early Christianity

Author: Lee Martin McDonald

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-03-29

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 0567251756

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This volume draws attention to ancient religious texts, especially the so-called 'non-canonical' texts, by focusing on how they were used or functioned in Early Judaism and Early Christianity. The contributors are biblical scholars who have chosen one or more Jewish or Christian apocryphal or pseudepigraphical texts, with the aim of describing their ancient functions in their emerging social settings. These show the fluidity of the notion of scripture in the early centuries of the Church and in Judaism of late antiquity, but they also show the value of examining the ancient religious texts that were not included in the Jewish or Christian biblical canons. These chapters show that there is much that can be learned from examining and comparing these texts with canonical literature and evaluating them in their social context. No ancient text was created in a vacuum, and the non-canonical writings aid in our interpretation not only of many canonical writings, but also shed considerable light on the context of both early Judaism and early Christianity.


Book Synopsis "Non-canonical" Religious Texts in Early Judaism and Early Christianity by : Lee Martin McDonald

Download or read book "Non-canonical" Religious Texts in Early Judaism and Early Christianity written by Lee Martin McDonald and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-03-29 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume draws attention to ancient religious texts, especially the so-called 'non-canonical' texts, by focusing on how they were used or functioned in Early Judaism and Early Christianity. The contributors are biblical scholars who have chosen one or more Jewish or Christian apocryphal or pseudepigraphical texts, with the aim of describing their ancient functions in their emerging social settings. These show the fluidity of the notion of scripture in the early centuries of the Church and in Judaism of late antiquity, but they also show the value of examining the ancient religious texts that were not included in the Jewish or Christian biblical canons. These chapters show that there is much that can be learned from examining and comparing these texts with canonical literature and evaluating them in their social context. No ancient text was created in a vacuum, and the non-canonical writings aid in our interpretation not only of many canonical writings, but also shed considerable light on the context of both early Judaism and early Christianity.

Sacra Scriptura

Sacra Scriptura

Author: James H. Charlesworth

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2014-04-24

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 0567296687

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Many of the writings deemed 'apocryphal' and 'pseudepigraphical'were in circulation in the early centuries of Judaism and Christianity. Their influences and impacts on the development of early communities, and the development of Jewish and Christian thoughts, have not yet been sufficiently examined. While this judgment is especially true for the so-called Christian Apocrypha, it also applies for other writings that were not included in the Jewish and Christian Bibles and nor in other sacred collections of Scripture,like Rabbinics and Patristics. Most of these ancient writings functioned, to some degree, as sacred texts or scripture-sacra scriptura-in the communities in which they were produced and in others to which they circulated.This volume focuses on how some of these forgotten voices were heard within numerous early religious communities, helping to remove the distressing silence in many areas of the ancient world.


Book Synopsis Sacra Scriptura by : James H. Charlesworth

Download or read book Sacra Scriptura written by James H. Charlesworth and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2014-04-24 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many of the writings deemed 'apocryphal' and 'pseudepigraphical'were in circulation in the early centuries of Judaism and Christianity. Their influences and impacts on the development of early communities, and the development of Jewish and Christian thoughts, have not yet been sufficiently examined. While this judgment is especially true for the so-called Christian Apocrypha, it also applies for other writings that were not included in the Jewish and Christian Bibles and nor in other sacred collections of Scripture,like Rabbinics and Patristics. Most of these ancient writings functioned, to some degree, as sacred texts or scripture-sacra scriptura-in the communities in which they were produced and in others to which they circulated.This volume focuses on how some of these forgotten voices were heard within numerous early religious communities, helping to remove the distressing silence in many areas of the ancient world.

Jewish and Christian Scriptures

Jewish and Christian Scriptures

Author: James H. Charlesworth

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2010-05-27

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 0567372588

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Over the past four decades, many scholars have focused on the expanding collection of alleged "extra-canonical" documents that were deemed inspired by God in numerous early Jewish and Christian groups. Eventually, these texts ceased to have an authoritative role in Judaism and Christianity and were branded "extra-canonical." Now, these documents, once considered sacred, are recognized as fundamental in understanding antiquity, and the development of the canon. Many scholars are now according an authority to some of these texts This volume draws attention to these ancient religious texts, especially the so-called "non-canonical" texts, by focusing on how they were used or functioned in early societies. The contributors also warn us about the assumed barriers between "canon" and "extra-canon," "texts" and "traditions," and they suggest that we should be careful with labels such as "Jewish" and "Christian." The contributors also indicate, intermittently or implicitly, the importance of combining disciplines that had been isolated, especially the study of texts, the exploration of the canonical process, and the relevance of sociology in studying ancient groups.


Book Synopsis Jewish and Christian Scriptures by : James H. Charlesworth

Download or read book Jewish and Christian Scriptures written by James H. Charlesworth and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2010-05-27 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past four decades, many scholars have focused on the expanding collection of alleged "extra-canonical" documents that were deemed inspired by God in numerous early Jewish and Christian groups. Eventually, these texts ceased to have an authoritative role in Judaism and Christianity and were branded "extra-canonical." Now, these documents, once considered sacred, are recognized as fundamental in understanding antiquity, and the development of the canon. Many scholars are now according an authority to some of these texts This volume draws attention to these ancient religious texts, especially the so-called "non-canonical" texts, by focusing on how they were used or functioned in early societies. The contributors also warn us about the assumed barriers between "canon" and "extra-canon," "texts" and "traditions," and they suggest that we should be careful with labels such as "Jewish" and "Christian." The contributors also indicate, intermittently or implicitly, the importance of combining disciplines that had been isolated, especially the study of texts, the exploration of the canonical process, and the relevance of sociology in studying ancient groups.

Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures

Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures

Author: John J. Collins

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press

Published: 2020-08-25

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 161164982X

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Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures examines the writings included in and excluded from the Jewish and Christian canons of Scripture and explores the social settings in which some of this literature was viewed as authoritative and some was viewed either as uninspired or as heretical. John J. Collins, Craig A. Evans, and Lee Martin McDonald examine how those noncanonical writings demonstrate the historical, literary, and religious aspects of the culture that gave rise to the writings. They also show how literature excluded from the Jewish and Christian canons of Scripture remains valuable today for understanding the questions and conflicts that early Jewish and Christian faith communities faced. Through this discussion, contemporary readers acquire a broader understanding of biblical Scripture and of Jewish and Christian faith inspired by Scripture.


Book Synopsis Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures by : John J. Collins

Download or read book Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures written by John J. Collins and published by Westminster John Knox Press. This book was released on 2020-08-25 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures examines the writings included in and excluded from the Jewish and Christian canons of Scripture and explores the social settings in which some of this literature was viewed as authoritative and some was viewed either as uninspired or as heretical. John J. Collins, Craig A. Evans, and Lee Martin McDonald examine how those noncanonical writings demonstrate the historical, literary, and religious aspects of the culture that gave rise to the writings. They also show how literature excluded from the Jewish and Christian canons of Scripture remains valuable today for understanding the questions and conflicts that early Jewish and Christian faith communities faced. Through this discussion, contemporary readers acquire a broader understanding of biblical Scripture and of Jewish and Christian faith inspired by Scripture.

Corpus Christologicum

Corpus Christologicum

Author: Gregory Lanier

Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 737

ISBN-13: 1683071808

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"A compendium of approximately three hundred texts-in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Ethiopic, Syriac, Coptic, and other languages-that are important for the study of Jewish messianism and early Christology, with a critical apparatus and translation for each text, thematic tagging that enables textual cross-referencing, and bibliography"--


Book Synopsis Corpus Christologicum by : Gregory Lanier

Download or read book Corpus Christologicum written by Gregory Lanier and published by Hendrickson Publishers. This book was released on 2021 with total page 737 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A compendium of approximately three hundred texts-in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Ethiopic, Syriac, Coptic, and other languages-that are important for the study of Jewish messianism and early Christology, with a critical apparatus and translation for each text, thematic tagging that enables textual cross-referencing, and bibliography"--

Forgotten Scriptures

Forgotten Scriptures

Author: Lee Martin McDonald

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 0664233570

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The early Christian church had a variety of Scriptures and other source material that informed their faith and shaped their thinking. But after a few centuries the church decided to keep the twenty-seven books of our present New Testament and to treat them as a canonical in faith and practice. But what of the other books? Many of them have survived and remain valuable for understanding the diversity of the early Christian church and the astounding claims of faith on which it was founded. Learning about these ancient documents need not threaten the church's current orthodoxy and authority; in fact, learning about these texts can help today's Christians form a deeper understanding of the early church.


Book Synopsis Forgotten Scriptures by : Lee Martin McDonald

Download or read book Forgotten Scriptures written by Lee Martin McDonald and published by Westminster John Knox Press. This book was released on 2009-01-01 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The early Christian church had a variety of Scriptures and other source material that informed their faith and shaped their thinking. But after a few centuries the church decided to keep the twenty-seven books of our present New Testament and to treat them as a canonical in faith and practice. But what of the other books? Many of them have survived and remain valuable for understanding the diversity of the early Christian church and the astounding claims of faith on which it was founded. Learning about these ancient documents need not threaten the church's current orthodoxy and authority; in fact, learning about these texts can help today's Christians form a deeper understanding of the early church.

A Guide to Early Jewish Texts and Traditions in Christian Transmission

A Guide to Early Jewish Texts and Traditions in Christian Transmission

Author: Gabriele Boccaccini

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-10-04

Total Pages: 640

ISBN-13: 0190863099

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The Jewish culture of the Hellenistic and early Roman periods established a basis for all monotheistic religions, but its main sources have been preserved to a great degree through Christian transmission. This Guide is devoted to problems of preservation, reception, and transformation of Jewish texts and traditions of the Second Temple period in the many Christian milieus from the ancient world to the late medieval era. It approaches this corpus not as an artificial collection of reconstructed texts--a body of hypothetical originals--but rather from the perspective of the preserved materials, examined in their religious, social, and political contexts. It also considers the other, non-Christian, channels of the survival of early Jewish materials, including Rabbinic, Gnostic, Manichaean, and Islamic. This unique project brings together scholars from many different fields in order to map the trajectories of early Jewish texts and traditions among diverse later cultures. It also provides a comprehensive and comparative introduction to this new field of study while bridging the gap between scholars of early Judaism and of medieval Christianity.


Book Synopsis A Guide to Early Jewish Texts and Traditions in Christian Transmission by : Gabriele Boccaccini

Download or read book A Guide to Early Jewish Texts and Traditions in Christian Transmission written by Gabriele Boccaccini and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2019-10-04 with total page 640 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Jewish culture of the Hellenistic and early Roman periods established a basis for all monotheistic religions, but its main sources have been preserved to a great degree through Christian transmission. This Guide is devoted to problems of preservation, reception, and transformation of Jewish texts and traditions of the Second Temple period in the many Christian milieus from the ancient world to the late medieval era. It approaches this corpus not as an artificial collection of reconstructed texts--a body of hypothetical originals--but rather from the perspective of the preserved materials, examined in their religious, social, and political contexts. It also considers the other, non-Christian, channels of the survival of early Jewish materials, including Rabbinic, Gnostic, Manichaean, and Islamic. This unique project brings together scholars from many different fields in order to map the trajectories of early Jewish texts and traditions among diverse later cultures. It also provides a comprehensive and comparative introduction to this new field of study while bridging the gap between scholars of early Judaism and of medieval Christianity.

The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church

The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church

Author: Roger T. Beckwith

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2008-11-01

Total Pages: 545

ISBN-13: 1606082493

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This new study of the Old Testament canon by Roger Beckwith is on a scale to match H. E. Ryle's classic work, which was first published in 1892. But Beckwith has the advantage of writing after the Qumran (and other) discoveries; and he has also made full use of all the available sources, including biblical manuscripts and rabbinical and patristic literature, taking into account the seldom studied Syriac material as well as the Greek and Latin material. The result of many years of study, this book is a major work of scholarship on a subject which has been neglected in recent times. It is both historical and theological, but Beckwith's first consideration has been to make a thorough and unprejudiced historical investigation. One of his most important concerns - and one that is crucial for all students of Judaism, and Christians in particular - is to decide when the limits of the Jewish canon were settled. In the answer to this question lies an important key to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles, and the resultant beliefs of the New Testament church. Furthermore, any answers to questions about the state of the canon in the New Testament period would help to open a way through the present ecumenical (and interfaith) impasse on the subject. With its meticulous research and evenhanded approach, this book is sure to become the starting point for study of the Old Testament canon in the years to come.


Book Synopsis The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church by : Roger T. Beckwith

Download or read book The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church written by Roger T. Beckwith and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2008-11-01 with total page 545 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This new study of the Old Testament canon by Roger Beckwith is on a scale to match H. E. Ryle's classic work, which was first published in 1892. But Beckwith has the advantage of writing after the Qumran (and other) discoveries; and he has also made full use of all the available sources, including biblical manuscripts and rabbinical and patristic literature, taking into account the seldom studied Syriac material as well as the Greek and Latin material. The result of many years of study, this book is a major work of scholarship on a subject which has been neglected in recent times. It is both historical and theological, but Beckwith's first consideration has been to make a thorough and unprejudiced historical investigation. One of his most important concerns - and one that is crucial for all students of Judaism, and Christians in particular - is to decide when the limits of the Jewish canon were settled. In the answer to this question lies an important key to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles, and the resultant beliefs of the New Testament church. Furthermore, any answers to questions about the state of the canon in the New Testament period would help to open a way through the present ecumenical (and interfaith) impasse on the subject. With its meticulous research and evenhanded approach, this book is sure to become the starting point for study of the Old Testament canon in the years to come.

The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity

The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity

Author: Edmon L. Gallagher

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2017-10-26

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 0192511033

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The Bible took shape over the course of centuries, and today Christian groups continue to disagree over details of its contents. The differences among these groups typically involve the Old Testament, as they mostly accept the same 27-book New Testament. An essential avenue for understanding the development of the Bible are the many early lists of canonical books drawn up by Christians and, occasionally, Jews. Despite the importance of these early lists of books, they have remained relatively inaccessible. This comprehensive volume redresses this unfortunate situation by presenting the early Christian canon lists all together in a single volume. The canon lists, in most cases, unambiguously report what the compilers of the lists considered to belong to the biblical canon. For this reason they bear an undeniable importance in the history of the Bible. The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity provides an accessible presentation of these early canon lists. With a focus on the first four centuries, the volume supplies the full text of the canon lists in English translation alongside the original text, usually Greek or Latin, occasionally Hebrew or Syriac. Edmon L. Gallagher and John D. Meade orient readers to each list with brief introductions and helpful notes, and they point readers to the most significant scholarly discussions. The book begins with a substantial overview of the history of the biblical canon, and an entire chapter is devoted to the evidence of biblical manuscripts from the first millennium. This authoritative work is an indispensable guide for students and scholars of biblical studies and church history.


Book Synopsis The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity by : Edmon L. Gallagher

Download or read book The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity written by Edmon L. Gallagher and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-10-26 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Bible took shape over the course of centuries, and today Christian groups continue to disagree over details of its contents. The differences among these groups typically involve the Old Testament, as they mostly accept the same 27-book New Testament. An essential avenue for understanding the development of the Bible are the many early lists of canonical books drawn up by Christians and, occasionally, Jews. Despite the importance of these early lists of books, they have remained relatively inaccessible. This comprehensive volume redresses this unfortunate situation by presenting the early Christian canon lists all together in a single volume. The canon lists, in most cases, unambiguously report what the compilers of the lists considered to belong to the biblical canon. For this reason they bear an undeniable importance in the history of the Bible. The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity provides an accessible presentation of these early canon lists. With a focus on the first four centuries, the volume supplies the full text of the canon lists in English translation alongside the original text, usually Greek or Latin, occasionally Hebrew or Syriac. Edmon L. Gallagher and John D. Meade orient readers to each list with brief introductions and helpful notes, and they point readers to the most significant scholarly discussions. The book begins with a substantial overview of the history of the biblical canon, and an entire chapter is devoted to the evidence of biblical manuscripts from the first millennium. This authoritative work is an indispensable guide for students and scholars of biblical studies and church history.

Early Jewish Writings and New Testament Interpretation

Early Jewish Writings and New Testament Interpretation

Author: Casey Deryl Elledge

Publisher:

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780190274610

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"Early Jewish writings pose important implications for understanding the nature of "scripture" in ancient times, prior to the later formation of biblical canons. A review of early "non-canonical" literary collections unveils the diverse assumptions about "scripture" that existed within ancient Judaism. In their formative contexts, many of these writings present their religious claims as extensions of divine revelation, not merely as secondary, post-biblical compositions. Others endeavor to present themselves as essential complements to earlier scriptural books. Such high esteem for their authority appears to have been shared among some of their earliest audiences. Carefully studying the literature of this era, thus, reveals the extended horizon of authoritative traditions prevalent during the period of Christian origins. This realization arises from the modern study of literary collections known as Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books), Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of Philo and Josephus"--


Book Synopsis Early Jewish Writings and New Testament Interpretation by : Casey Deryl Elledge

Download or read book Early Jewish Writings and New Testament Interpretation written by Casey Deryl Elledge and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Early Jewish writings pose important implications for understanding the nature of "scripture" in ancient times, prior to the later formation of biblical canons. A review of early "non-canonical" literary collections unveils the diverse assumptions about "scripture" that existed within ancient Judaism. In their formative contexts, many of these writings present their religious claims as extensions of divine revelation, not merely as secondary, post-biblical compositions. Others endeavor to present themselves as essential complements to earlier scriptural books. Such high esteem for their authority appears to have been shared among some of their earliest audiences. Carefully studying the literature of this era, thus, reveals the extended horizon of authoritative traditions prevalent during the period of Christian origins. This realization arises from the modern study of literary collections known as Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books), Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of Philo and Josephus"--