Presented here are two volumes of apocryphal writings reflecting the life and time of the Old and New Testaments. Stories told by contemporary fiction writers of historical Bible times in fascinating and beautiful style.

You're probably missing some of the most interesting books of the Bible. In the Jewish tradition, the five books known as "The Five Scrolls" perform a central liturgical function as the texts associated with each of the major holidays. The Song of Songs is read during Passover, Ruth during Shavuot, Lamentations on Tisha B'av, Ecclesiastes during Sukkot, and Esther during the celebration of Purim. Together with the five books of the Torah, these texts orient Jewish life and provide the language of the faith. In the Christian tradition, by contrast, these books have largely been forgotten. Many churchgoers can't even find them in their pew Bibles. They are rarely preached, come up only occasionally in the lectionary, and are not the subject of Bible studies. Thus, their influence on the lives and theology of many Christians is entirely negligible. But they deserve much more attention. With scholarly wisdom and a quick wit, Williamson insists that these books speak urgently to the pressing issues of the contemporary world. Addressing themes of human sexuality, grief, immigration, suffering and protest, ethnic nationalism, and existential dread, he skillfully guides readers as they rediscover the relevance of the Five Scrolls for today.

This is the extended and annotated edition including * an extensive annotation of more than 5.000 words about the history and evolution of the book we call 'The Bible' This volume contains all the Gospels, Epistles and other pieces that were attributed in the first four centuries to Jesus Christ and his companions. Contents: The History of The Bible The Lost Books of The Bible INTRODUCTION TO THE LOST BOOKS OF THE BIBLE PREFACE The GOSPEL OF THE BIRTH OF MARY The PROTEVANGELION The First Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ Thomas's Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus, King of Edessa The Gospel of Nicodemus The Apostles' Creed. The Epistle of Paul, The Apostle of the Laodiceans The Epistle of Pau the Apostle to Seneca, with Seneca's to Paul The Acts of Paul and Thecla The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians The General Epistle of Barnabas The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, of the Ephesians to Ignatius The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians The Shepherd of Hermas The Second Book of Hermas, called his Commands. The Third Book of Hermas, which is called his Similitudes. Letters Of Herod And Pilate. Connecting Roman History With The Death Of Christ At Jerusalem. Letter Of Herod To Pilate The Governor. Letter Of Pilate To Herod. The Epistle Of Pontius Pilate, Which He Wrote To The Roman Emperor Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Report Of Pilate The Governor, Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ; Which Was Sent To Augustus Caesar, In Rome. The Report Of Pontius Pilate, Governor Of Judea; The Trial And Condemnation Of Pilate. The Death Of Pilate,Who Condemned Jesus. The Lost Gospel According To Peter

The First Book of Adam and Eve, written by Rutherford Platt, is a deeply impactful and thought-provoking work that offers a unique perspective on the beginning of humanity. This book delves into the story of Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God in the Garden of Eden, as told in the Book of Genesis. However, unlike traditional interpretations, Platt’s retelling of this biblical tale explores the inner thoughts and emotions of these iconic figures, giving readers a deeper understanding of their actions and the consequences of their choices. Platt’s writing style is captivating and engaging, drawing readers into the world of Adam and Eve and allowing them to experience their journey firsthand. Through vivid descriptions and richly detailed imagery, we are transported to the idyllic setting of the Garden of Eden and can almost feel the warm sun on our skin and smell the sweet scents of the fruit trees. But as the story progresses and Adam and Eve face challenges and temptations, the tone shifts to one of tension and uncertainty, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. One of the most striking aspects of this book is the way in which it humanizes Adam and Eve. Rather than being seen as perfect and faultless beings, they are portrayed as complex individuals with flaws and doubts, making their story relatable and relevant to modern-day readers. Platt’s portrayal of Eve, in particular, challenges traditional views of her as the temptress who caused the downfall of humanity. Instead, she is depicted as a strong and independent woman who is curious and eager to learn, but also vulnerable and struggling to find her place in the world. In addition to its literary merits, The First Book of Adam and Eve also offers a wealth of educational value. Not only does it provide a fascinating retelling of a well-known biblical story, but it also raises important questions and prompts critical thinking about the nature of God, humanity, and the relationship between the two. By going beyond the surface level of the biblical account, Platt encourages readers to delve deeper and examine the moral and philosophical implications of this ancient tale. Overall, The First Book of Adam and Eve is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the biblical story of creation in a fresh and thought-provoking way. Platt’s masterful storytelling and insightful commentary make this book an invaluable resource for educators and students alike, offering a unique perspective on a foundational story of the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is a timeless work that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.

The Encyclopedia of Lost and Rejected Scriptures: The Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha - Section One - Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament - First Book of Adam and Eve, Second Book of Adam and Eve, First Book of Enoch, Second Book of Enoch (Secrets of Enoch), Third Book of Enoch (Hebrew Enoch), Jubilees, Jasher - Section Two - Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days - Apocalypse of Abraham, Apocalypse of Thomas, 2 Baruch, War Scroll (Sons of Dark vs. Sons of Light) - Section Three - Lost Scriptures of the New Testament - Gospel of Philip, Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Apocryphon of John, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, Acts Chapter 29 - - Section Four - The Life and Times of Jesus - Infancy Gospel of James, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, Life of Joseph The Carpenter, Letters of Pilate, Life of Saint Issaa - Section Five - The Apocrypha - 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, 3 Maccabees, 4 Maccabees, Letter (Epistle) of Jeremiah, The Prayer of Azariah, 1 Baruch, Prayer of Manasseh (Manassas), Bel and the Dragon, Wisdom of Sirach, Wisdom of Solomon, Additions to Esther, Tobit, Judith, Susanna, Psalm 151, 1 Clements, Shepherd of Hermas, The Didache

This incisive critique thoroughly and convincingly debunks the claims that recently discovered texts such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and even the Dead Sea Scrolls undermine the historical validity of the New Testament. Jenkins places the recent controversies surrounding the hidden gospels in a broad historical context and argues that, far from being revolutionary, such attempts to find an alternative Christianity date back at least to the Enlightenment. By employing the appropriate scholarly and historical methodologies, he demonstrates that the texts purported to represent pristine Christianity were in fact composed long after the canonical gospels found in the Bible. Produced by obscure heretical movements, these texts have attracted much media attention chiefly because they seem to support radical, feminist, and post-modern positions in the modern church. Indeed, Jenkins shows how best-selling books on the "hidden gospels" have been taken up by an uncritical, drama-hungry media as the basis for a social movement that could have powerful effects on the faith and practice of contemporary Christianity.

One man’s quest to find the oldest Bible scrolls in the world and uncover the story of the brilliant, doomed antiquarian accused of forging them. In the summer of 1883, Moses Wilhelm Shapira—archaeological treasure hunter and inveterate social climber—showed up unannounced in London claiming to have discovered the oldest copy of the Bible in the world. But before the museum could pony up his £1 million asking price for the scrolls—which discovery called into question the divine authorship of the scriptures—Shapira’s nemesis, the French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau, denounced the manuscripts, turning the public against him. Distraught over this humiliating public rebuke, Shapira fled to the Netherlands and committed suicide. Then, in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Noting the similarities between these and Shapira’s scrolls, scholars made efforts to re-examine Shapira’s case, but it was too late: the primary piece of evidence, the parchment scrolls themselves had mysteriously vanished. Tigay, journalist and son of a renowned Biblical scholar, was galvanized by this peculiar story and this indecipherable man, and became determined to find the scrolls. He sets out on a quest that takes him to Australia, England, Holland, Germany where he meets Shapira’s still aggrieved descendants and Jerusalem where Shapira is still referred to in the present tense as a “Naughty boy”. He wades into museum storerooms, musty English attics, and even the Jordanian gorge where the scrolls were said to have been found all in a tireless effort to uncover the truth about the scrolls and about Shapira, himself. At once historical drama and modern-day mystery, The Lost Book of Moses explores the nineteenth-century disappearance of Shapira’s scrolls and Tigay's globetrotting hunt for the ancient manuscript. As it follows Tigay’s trail to the truth, the book brings to light a flamboyant, romantic, devious, and ultimately tragic personality in a story that vibrates with the suspense of a classic detective tale.

This book was lost for centuries to the western world although it was kept by the Ethiopian church. In 1773 the Scottish explorer James Bruce heard that the Book of Enoch may have been in Ethiopia so traveled there and procured three copies. In 1821 Richard Laurence, a professor of Hebrew at Oxford, produced the first English translation. Fragments of ten Enoch manuscripts were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is quoted by the New Testament Book of Jude.This book contains all sections:The Book of the Watchers The Book of Parables of Enoch The Astronomical Book The Book of Dream Visions The Epistle of Enoch It is of particular interest to anyone with an interest in angels and demons, or Bible history in general.