Below you will find some of the best books for the study of early Christian writintgs, including collections of primary sources and presentation of scholarly opinion in secondary literature. This short list of recommended books will provide valuable additions to anyone's library. There are more good books available on the Theories of the Historical Jesus webpage.
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The Nag Hammadi Library in English
This book contains translations of all the documents discovered at Nag Hammadi. The texts reveal the Gnostics as they saw themselves, not as the Church Fathers characterized them, and thus these texts have provided a wealth of information for the study of ancient Gnosticism and, by extension, ancient Christianity. The translation has been conducted by a team of scholars, correctly noting the lacunae and those places where reconstruction of the text is conjectural or where the English equivalent is approximate. This ensures an accurate translation. Moreover, the notes alone justify the low, mass paperback price of the book. Each one of the documents is introduced with excellent notes on estimated dating and other information critical to an understanding of the text. This volume is a welcome addition to the personal library of any person who professes an interest in the history of early Christianity, and it is absolutely necessary to anyone who is interested in ancient Gnosticism.
New Testament Apocrypha : Gospels and Related Writings
This is the standard scholarly work with up-to-date translations of all the ancient noncanonical Christian writings. This volume contains Oxyrhynchus 840, Papyrus Egerton 2, Oxyrhynchus 1224, Cairensis 10 735, the Fayyum Fragment, the Strasbourg Coptic Papyrus, the Secret Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of the Nazareans, the Gospel of the Ebionites, the Gospel of the Hebrews, the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of the Egyptians, the Gospel of Peter, the Book of Thomas, the Freer Logion, the Epistula Apostolorum, the Apocryphon of James, the Dialogue of the Saviour, the First Apocalypse of James, the Dialogue of the Saviour, the First Apocalypse of James, the Second Apocalypse of James, the Letter of Peter to Philip, the Gospel of the Four Heavenly Regions, the Gospel of Perfection, the Gospel of Truth, the Sophia Jesu Christi, the Dialogue of the Redeemer, the Pistis Sophia, the two Books of Jeu, the Gospel of the Twelve, the Lukean Gospel of the Twelve, the Memoria Apostolorum, the Manichean Gospel of the Twelve Apostles, the Gospel of the Seventy, the Gospel of Matthias, the Gospel of Judas, the Apocryphon of John, the Fragments of a Dialogue between John and Jesus, the Apocryphon of James, the Gospel of Bartholomew, the Questions of Mary, the Gospel of Mary, the Genna Marias, the Gospel of Cerinthus, the Gospel of Basilides, the Gospel of Marcion, the Gospel of Apelles, the Gospel of Bardesanes, the Gospel of Mani, the Protevangelium of James, the Infancy Story of Thomas, the Arabic Infancy Gospel, the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, the Abgar Legend, the Gospel of Nicodemus, the Gospel of Bartholomew, and the Gospel of Gamaliel.
New Testament Apocrypha : Writings Relating to the Apostles Apocalypses and Related Subjects
This second volume contains the Kerygma Petri, the Epistle to the Laodiceans, the Correspondence between Seneca and Paul, the Pseudo-Titus Epistle, the Acts of Andrew, the Acts of John, the Acts of Paul, the Acts of Peter, the Acts of Thomas, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, the Pseudo-Clementines, the Ascension of Isaiah, the Apocalypse of Peter, the Fifth and Sixth Books of Esra, the Christian Sibyllines, the Book of Elchasai, the Coptic Apocalypse of Paul, the Coptic Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Paul, and the Apocalypse of Thomas.
The Complete Gospels: Annotated Scholars Version
This is another excellent collection of gospels accompanied by good introductory notes. This volume includes the canonical four as well as Q, the Signs Gospel, and even the little-known fragment that is Oxyrhynchus 1224. Other documents included are: the Gospel of Thomas, the Dialogue of the Savior, the Gospel of the Egyptians, the Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840, the Apocryphon of James, the Secret Gospel of Mark, Papyrus Egerton 2, the Gospel of Peter, the Gospel of the Hebrews, "John's Preaching of the Gospel," the Gospel of the Nazoreans, the Gospel of the Ebionites, the Protevangelium of James, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the Epistula Apostolorum, and the Acts of Pilate. This volume will do a great job of providing a collection of gospel texts that you can read with fresh translations and with all the comforts of a physical book.
The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English
This is the standard translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls and is a must-own for anyone is interested in the Qumran community. Vermes provides a very useful introduction to the background of the Dead Sea Scrolls in addition to an excellent collection of texts.
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments
This is the first volume of a comprehensive two-volume collection of ancient Jewish literature. Anyone who is interested in ancient Judaism should have these volumes along with the Dead Sea Scrolls. The first volume contains the following: Apocalypse of Abraham, Apocalypse of Adam, Testament of Adam, 2 Baruch, 3 Baruch, Apocalypse of Daniel, Apocalypse of Elijah, 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, 3 Enoch, Apocryphon of Ezekiel, Fourth Book of Ezra, Greek Apocalypse of Ezra, Questions of Ezra, Revelation of Ezra, Vision of Ezra, Testament of Job, Testament of Moses, Apocalypse of Sedrach, Treatise of Shem, Sibylline Oracles, Testament of Solomon, Testaments of the Three Patriarchs, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, and Apocalypse of Zephaniah.
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Expansions of the 'Old Testament' and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms, and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works
This is the second volume of a comprehensive two-volume collection of ancient Jewish literature. Anyone who is interested in ancient Judaism should have these volumes along with the Dead Sea Scrolls. The second volume contains the following: Life of Adam and Eve, Ahiqar, Letter of Aristeas, Aristeas the Exegete, Aristobulus, Artapanus, 4 Baruch, Cleodemus Malchus, More Psalms of David, Demetrius the Chronographer, Eldad and Modad, Eupolemus, Pseudo-Eupolemus, Ezekiel the Tragedian, Fragments of Pseudo-Greek Poets, Pseudo-Hecataeus, Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers, Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah, Ladder of Jacob, Prayer of Jacob, Jannes and Jambres, Joseph and Aseneth, History of Joseph, Prayer of Joseph, Jubilees, 3 Maccabees, 4 Maccabees, Prayer of Manasseh, Syriac Menander, Orphica, Philo the Epic Poet, Pseudo-Philo, Pseudo-Phocylides, The Lives of the Prophets, History of the Rechabites, Odes of Solomon, Psalms of Solomon, and Theodotus.
An Introduction to the New Testament
This book is a bargain: nearly 900 pages of high-quality information for about $30. I suggest this book as an excellent introduction to the New Testament. Brown is always fair and does a great job of explaining the concepts in a way that is comprehensible to a new student of the NT. Brown does a superb service in providing detailed argumentation for all the positions held on all of the books of the New Testament. Brown has succeeded in providing an excellent and balanced introduction to the New Testament.
Ancient Christian Gospels
This book is a modern classic. Koester provides extensive information on all the early Christian gospels, whether inside or outside of the canon. These include Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Q, the Gospel of Thomas, the Protevangelium of James, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the Dialogue of the Savior, the Secret Book of James, the Egerton Gospel, the Gospel of Peter, and even the Diatessaron.
The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide
In my opinion, this is one of the best introductions to Jesus research that is available today. I have provided a detailed Review of The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide.
There are more good books available on the Theories of the Historical Jesus webpage.
by James M. Robinson, et al.
by Wilhelm Schneemelcher (Editor), R. M. Wilson (Translator)
by Wilhelm Schneemelcher (Editor), R. M. Wilson (Translator)
by Robert J. Miller, et al.
by Geza Vermes
by James H. Charlesworth et. al.
by James H. Charlesworth et. al.Secondary Literature
by Raymond Brown
by Helmut Koester
by Gerd Theissen and Annette Merz
Go to the Chronological List of all Early Christian Writings
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Peter Kirby <E-Mail>.
Kirby, Peter. "Recommended Books." Early Christian Writings. <http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/books.html>.
