Introduction to the New Testament Apocrypha

Canon Dr. Fred Lapham received his Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter where he occasionally lectures in the New Testament Apocrypha. He lives in Shropshire, UK.

"...demonstrates careful awareness of patristic sources regarding sources of these texts and provides a helpful categorization of types of documents with respect to familiar New Testament documents. He also provides a helpful discussion of the origin and particular emphases of Gnosticism." -Daniel M. Gurtner, Society of Biblical Literature, September 2004

• Introduction: The Discoveries; Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha; Earlier-known Writings; The Manuscripts; The Classification of the Documents; The Gospels; The Acts Literature; The Epistolary Writings; The Apocalyptic Writings; Theological Types; The Gnostic Writings; The Jewish-Christian Writings; The "Orthodox" Writings Stylistic Differences. The early history: The Sources; The Judaean Church; The Church in Samaria; The Syrian Church; The Church in Mesopotamia; The Asian Church; The Egyptian Church. The Judean church: the Epistle of Peter to James and the Contestation of James; The Preaching of Peter; The Ascents of James; The Apocryphon of James; The Two Apocalypses of James; The Protevangelium of James The church of Samaria: The Acts of Peter; The Pseudo-Clementine; Recognitions and Homilies; The Epistle of Peter to Philip; The Gospel of the Nazaraeans; The Gospel of the Ebionites The church in Syria: The Gospel of Peter; The Gospel of Philip; The Apocalypses of Peter; The Apocalypses of Paul. The church in Mesopotamia: The Gospel of Thomas; The Acts of Thomas; The Book of Thomas the Contender; The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. The churches of Asia: The Acts of John; The Acts of Paul; The Acts of Andrew; The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles. The church in Egypt: The Gospel of the Egyptians; The Gospel of the Hebrews; The Gospel of Mary; The Epistle of the Apostles; The Dialogue of the Saviour Epilogue - "May it not be that these sacred scriptures,hidden under the sand for so many centuries, will yet help to bring a new spirit of openness and truth to the ancient Faith?".