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

This collection of apocryphal writings supersedes the best-selling edition by M. R. James, first published in 1924. Since then, several new works have come to light, and the textual base for some of the works previously translated by James is now more secure. In this volume, J. K. Elliott presents new translations of the texts into modern English, together with a short introduction and bibliography for each of them. The collection is designed to give readers the most important and famous non-canonical Christian writings, many of them popular legends with an enormous influence on later, particularly medieval, art and literature, as well as on later beliefs and practices of the Church.

Table of Contents:
Preface;General Bibliography;Lists of Apocryphal Works;1. APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS;Lost Gospels;1.Jewish-Christian Gospels:Introduction; (a) The Gospel according to the Hebrews;(b) The Gospel of the Nazaraeans; (c) The Gospel of the Ebionites; 2.The Gospel of the Egyptians; 3.The Traditions of the Matthias; 4.The Preaching of Peter (Kerygma Petrou); 5.Other Lost Gospels; Agrapha Fragments of Gospels on Papyrus; 1.Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 840; 2.Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 1081; 3.Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 1224; 4. Papyrus Cairensis 10735; 5.Papyrus Egerton 2; 6.The Strasbourg Fragment; 7. Papyrus Berolinensis 11710; 8.The Fayyum Fragment; 9.Papyrus Merton 51; BIRTH AND INFANCY GOSPELS: Introduction;The Protevangelium of James; The Infancy Gospel of Thomas; The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew; The Arabic Infancy Gospel; Arundel 404 (Liber de Infantia Salvatoris); The History of Joseph the Carpenter; Other Infancy Narratives GOSPELS OF THE MINISTRY AND PASSION; The Gospel of Thomas (including Coptic Thomas and P.Oxy. 1,654,655); The 'Secret' Gospel of Mark; The Gospel of Peter; The Gospel of Gamaliel; Coptic Narratives of the Ministry and Passion; THE PILATE CYCLE; The Gospel of Nicodemus; The Acts of Pilate; Christ's Descent into Hell; Other Pilate Texts; The Letter of Pilate to Claudius; The Letter of Pilate to Tiberius; Paradosis Pilati;Anaphora Pilati; Vindicta Salvatoris; Mors Pilati; The Narrative of Joseph of Arimathaea; The Letters of Pilate and Herod; The Letter of Tiberius to Pilate II APOCRYPHAL ACTS: Introduction; The Acts of Andrew; The Acts of John; Secondary Acts of John; The Acts of Paul; Secondary Acts of Paul; The Acts of Peter; Secondary Acts of Peter; The Pseudo-Clementine Literature; The Acts of Thomas; Other Apocryphal Acts; III APOCRYPHAL EPISTLES; Introduction; Shorter Epistles; The Letters of Christ and Abgar; The Letter of Lentulus; The Epistle to the Laodiceans; The Correspondence of Paul and Seneca; The Epistle to the Alexandrians; The Epistle of the Apostles (Epistula Apostolorum) IV APOCRYPHAL APOCALYPSES; Introduction; The Apocalypse of Peter; Appendix: The Sibylline Oracles; The Apocalypse of Paul (Visio Pauli); The Apocalypse of Thomas; The Questions of Bartholomew and the Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew the Apostle; The Letter of James; Other Apocryphal Apocalypses; Appendix: The Assumption of the Virgin; Indexes: 1. Apocryphal Writings with detailed lists of Contents; 2. Subjects and Proper Names; 3. Biblical and other Citations; 4. Ancient Authorities.

About the Author :
J. K. Elliott is Professor in New Testament Textual Criticism, University of Leeds.

Review :
`Review from previous edition Interest in the so-called New Testament apocrypha is probably greater now than it has ever been. Elliott has provided a reliable resource which should inform and increase that interest.' Biblical Interpretation `It is good to have this excellent replacement [of M. R. James's edition] which takes account of recent discoveries.' The Expository Times `this is a book that will serve the needs of students for many years to come.' Journal of Theological Studies `It has been beautifully produced with very useful bibliography accompanying the selections, and it will be an important reference work for every college and seminary library.' Southwestern Journal of Theology `fascinating source of information ... The collection made by James contained the most important and the most influential of these texts and gave valuable access to significant but often little known part of the Christian heritage ... James' book has been the standard work in English since it was brought out in 1924 ... Dr Elliott has drawn on the scholarly discussion and critical editions of his texts in a variety of languages ... He has, as it were, done the groundwork and readers are able to benefit from the results of his research without the task of wading through the secondary literature for themselves ... an easy to consult, conveniently-sized volume.' Churchman