New Testament Apocryphal Writings

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Literature, Church, Church History, General Christianity
Cover of the book New Testament Apocryphal Writings by James Orr, CrossReach Publications
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James Orr ISBN: 1230001364743
Publisher: CrossReach Publications Publication: September 29, 2016
Imprint: Language: English
Author: James Orr
ISBN: 1230001364743
Publisher: CrossReach Publications
Publication: September 29, 2016
Imprint:
Language: English

The Apocrypha began to be produced (so far as known) in the second century, mostly in Ebionitic and Gnostic circles, and, with few exceptions, were repudiated and condemned by the Church. Only later, and in modified and expurgated forms, did their stories pass into the general Catholic tradition. The second century seems to have been a perfect hot-bed for the production of this class of writings.
Of the purely heretical Gospels most have perished (for an account of some of the Gnostic ones, see Baring-Gould’s Lost and Hostile Gospels (1874), and Lipsius, as above). But apart from doctrinal reasons, sufficient motive always existed in persons of lax tendency to pander to the principle of curiosity and love of the marvellous in human nature by inventions of narratives on subjects on which the genuine Gospels were silent. An existing narrative, or traditions of sayings and doings of Jesus, might be, and frequently were, manipulated, recast, or embellished; but the grand opportunity came when the Gospels said nothing at all. Here was a space which imagination could fill up at pleasure. The stories might be puerile, demoralising, ridiculous to the last degree, but if they were only circumstantial and marvellous enough, and were backed up by names of Apostles, or others of repute, the narrator could always rely on finding readers greedy to receive them. This is precisely what happened with the Apocryphal Gospels.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Apocrypha began to be produced (so far as known) in the second century, mostly in Ebionitic and Gnostic circles, and, with few exceptions, were repudiated and condemned by the Church. Only later, and in modified and expurgated forms, did their stories pass into the general Catholic tradition. The second century seems to have been a perfect hot-bed for the production of this class of writings.
Of the purely heretical Gospels most have perished (for an account of some of the Gnostic ones, see Baring-Gould’s Lost and Hostile Gospels (1874), and Lipsius, as above). But apart from doctrinal reasons, sufficient motive always existed in persons of lax tendency to pander to the principle of curiosity and love of the marvellous in human nature by inventions of narratives on subjects on which the genuine Gospels were silent. An existing narrative, or traditions of sayings and doings of Jesus, might be, and frequently were, manipulated, recast, or embellished; but the grand opportunity came when the Gospels said nothing at all. Here was a space which imagination could fill up at pleasure. The stories might be puerile, demoralising, ridiculous to the last degree, but if they were only circumstantial and marvellous enough, and were backed up by names of Apostles, or others of repute, the narrator could always rely on finding readers greedy to receive them. This is precisely what happened with the Apocryphal Gospels.

More books from CrossReach Publications

Cover of the book The Mass vs. The Lord's Supper by James Orr
Cover of the book Apostolic Faith Missions by James Orr
Cover of the book The Ministers' Handbook by James Orr
Cover of the book History and Genius of the Heidelberg Catechism by James Orr
Cover of the book Recent Trends in Theology by James Orr
Cover of the book The Holy Trinity by James Orr
Cover of the book The Sayings of the Great Forty Days by James Orr
Cover of the book Theological Agnosticism by James Orr
Cover of the book Evolution by James Orr
Cover of the book The Virgin Birth of Christ by James Orr
Cover of the book Notes on the Epistle to the Colossians by James Orr
Cover of the book The Great Hereafter by James Orr
Cover of the book Peter's Sojourn in Rome by James Orr
Cover of the book Forgotten Truths by James Orr
Cover of the book The Rights And The Duties Of Masters by James Orr
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy