The Non-Canonical Gospels

by Paul Foster

Overview

This book brings together a collection of chapter length treatments on the most significant of the non-canonical gospels. A particular strength of the volume is that it draws upon the research of leading experts in the field and clearly and concisely communicates the most hotly contested issues surrounding each text. While a key function of each chapter is to make the current academic debates accessible to a wider audience, these treatments are not simply overviews or survey articles. They also present fresh perspectives on a number of points, and critically assess the most recent trends in scholarship. As such, they will provide an ideal entry point for advanced undergraduate courses and taught Masters programmes.

The structure of the book is divided up in an easily useable format. There is an introduction which underscores the significance of the non-canonical texts both for the original readers and for contemporary audiences. This chapter by Keith Elliott also traces important moments in the reception of a number of these texts both in art and literature. Next follows the main sequence of chapters dealing with individual texts. Texts such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, and the Gospel of Mary are treated first due to the impact they have had to varying degrees on Historical Jesus research. Other texts are grouped in various subgroups: the two infancy gospels follow each other, and the more fragmentary texts are also closely linked in the arrangement. The book presents one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date discussions of a range of texts that continue to be of interest to scholars and wider readers. The discussions should clarify a number of popular misconceptions and allow for a more informed debate. The scholars who contribute to this collection represent an eclectic range of views and theological outlooks. No attempt has been made to impose a prescribed perspective. Rather, the leading experts have been consulted to produce fresh and stimulating treatments.

The book will include contributions from Andrew Gregory (Oxford), Christopher Tuckett (Cambridge), April DeConick (Rice), and Simon Gathercole (Aberdeen), among others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567033024
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/11/2008
Series:	T&T Clark Biblical Studies
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Paul Foster is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He is author of Community, Law and Mission in Matthew's Gospel, Mohr Siebeck, 2004, and editor of The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers (T&T Clark, 2007).

Table of Contents

Preface (Paul Foster, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, UK)

Abbrviations
List of Contributors


1: Significance of the Non-Canonical Gospels (Keith Elliott, Professor of New Testament Textual Criticism, Univeristy of Leeds, UK)

2. The Gospel of Thomas (April D. DeConick, Professor of Biblical Studies, Rice University, USA)

3. The Gospel of Peter (Paul Foster, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, UK)

4. The Gospel of Mary (Christopher Tuckett, Professor in the Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford)

5. Jewish-Christian Gospels (Andrew Gregory, Chaplain in University College, University of Oxford, UK)
6. The Gospel of Philip (Paul Foster, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, UK)
7. The Gospel of Judas: An Unlikely Hero (Simon Gathercole, Lecturer in New Testament Studies, University of Cambridge)

8. The Gospel of Judas: A Parody of Apostolic Christianity, April D. DeConick, Professor of Biblical Studies, Rice University, USA)

9. Protevangelium of James (Paul Foster, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, UK)
10. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (Tony Chartrand-Burke, Assistant Professor, York University, Toronto, Canada)

11. Papyrus Egerton 2 (Tobias Nicklas, Visiting Professor, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Holland)

12. Fayum Fragment (Dr. Thomas J. Kraus, Hilpoltstein, Germany)

9. Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 (Michael Kruger, Associate Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, USA)

10. Secret Mark (Paul Foster, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, UK)

Editorial Reviews

'The book is to be recommended as a clear description and strong assessment of selected non-canonical Gospels, providing sane judgments based on clearly stated evidence while avoiding sensationalism.' --Sanford Lakoff

'The book presents one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date discussions of a range of texts that continue to be of interest to scholars and wider readers...fresh and stimulating.' --Sanford Lakoff

Mention Book News, February 2009

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From the Publisher