The Pseudepigrapha and Christian Origins

Essays from the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas

Gerbern S. Oegema, James H. Charlesworth, Gerbern S. Oegema, James H. Charlesworth

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN:
  9780567430540
• eBook ISBN:
  9780567040664
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

In the Seminar "The Pseudepigrapha and Christian Origins" of the "Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas", chaired from 2000 to 2006 by Professors James H. Charlesworth (Princeton) and Gerbern S. Oegema (McGill), the relation between the Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament has been discussed systematically and intensively in a way never seen before. The Pseudepigrapha investigated included the Old Testament ones and those found in the Qumran as well as the Pseudepigrapha of the New Testament and the ones used in the Early Church. The seminar and its participants, who were all internally renowned experts from around the world, have focused on the use, adaptation, reinterpretation and further development of non-canonical traditions (except for Philo, Josephus, the Essene and early Rabbinic writings) in the canonical writings of Early Christianity. The seminar has met in total five times in various locations, while systematically being arranged around the following topics: The Pseudepigrapha and the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of Paul, the Other New Testament Writings, and the Revelation of John.

1. Rivka Nir (The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Idea of Redemption in the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch [SBLEJL 20; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003]) has argued that 2 Baruch is a Christian composition, but she seems to have persuaded few scholars. For an argument against her proposal, see James R. Davila, The Provenance of the Pseudepigrapha: Jewish, Christian or Other? (JSJSup 105; Leiden: Brill, 2005), 126–31.1. E. Kautzsch, ed., Die Apokryphen und Pseudepigraphen des Alten Testaments (2 vols.; Tübingen: Mohr, 1900; 2nd ed., 1921); R. H. Charles, ed., The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament in English (2 vols.; Oxford: Clarendon, 1913).2. See A. Díez Macho, ed., Apócrifos del Antiguo Testamento (5 vols.; Madrid: Cristiandad, 1984–87); A. Dupont-Sommer and M. Philonenko, eds., La Bible: Écrits intertestamentaires (La Bibliothèque de la Pléiade 337; Paris: Gallimard, 1987); M. de Jonge, ed., Outside the Old Testament (CCWJCW 4; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985); P. Sacchi, ed., Apocrifi dell’Antico Testamento (2 vols.; Classici delle religioni 38; Torino: UTET, 1981–89); H. D. F. Sparks, ed., The Apocryphal Old Testament (Oxford: Clarendon, 1984); and the original series of the “Jüdische Schriften aus hellenistich-römischer Zeit” (Gütersloh), the first Lieferung of which appeared in 1973. In 1973, too, S. Agourides published his collection of texts in modern Greek translation, Ta apokryphen tēs Palaias Diathēkēs (Athens). J. Bonsirven, ed., La bible apocryphe en marge de l’Ancien Testament was reprinted in 1975, and P. Rießler, ed., Altjüdisches Schrifttum außerhalb der Bibel for the fifth time in 1984.3. J. H. Charlesworth, ed., The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1, Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1983); idem, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2, Expansions of the “Old Testament” and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms, and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1985).4. This had not always been the case. For an idea of the corpus of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century scholarship, see J. A. Fabricius, Codex pseudepigraphus Veteris Testamenti: Collectus castigatus, testimoniisque, censuris et animadversionibus illustratus (2 vols.; Hamburg: T. C. Felinger, 1722–23); J.-P. Migne, ed., Dictionnaire des apocryphes, ou Collection de tous les livres apocryphes relatifs à l’Ancien et au Nouveau Testament (2 vols.; Encyclopédie théologique 3.23–24; Paris: Migne-Ateliers Catholiques, 1856, 1858); and the work of M. R. James, including Apocrypha Anecdota (2 vols.; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1893, 1897), The Lost Apocrypha of the Old Testament (London: SPCK, 1920), and his manuscript catalogues, in which he devoted careful attention to biblical apocrypha. See also L. Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews (trans. H. Szold and P. Radin; 6 vols.; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1909–38) (repr., Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998, with an index [vol. 7] by B. Cohen).5. Thorough reviews of the history of the scholarship prior to this period will be found in J. H. Charlesworth, “A History of Pseudepigrapha Research: The Re-Emerging Importance of the Pseudepigrapha,” ANRW II.19.1 (1979): 54–88, and idem, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament: Prolegomena for the Study of Christian Origins (SNTSMS 54; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985), 6–26.6. On the Vita Adae et Evae, 4 Baruch, 2 Enoch, the Lives of the Prophets, and the Sibylline Oracles. In addition, the series published new translations of certain books of the Apocrypha, such as B. Ego’s volume on Tobit (JSHRZ 2.6; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 1999).7. H. Lichtenberger et al., Einführung zu den Jüdischen Schriften aus hellenistisch-römischer Zeit (JSHRZ 6.1–5; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 2000–2005); A. Lehnardt, Bibliographie zu den Jüdischen Schriften aus hellenistisch-römischer Zeit (JSHRZ 6.2; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 1999).8. Band 1: 1. Pseudepigrapha in Qumran (H. Lichtenberger); 2. Apocalypse Adams (E. Grypeou); 3. Testament Adams (W. Nebe); 4. *Syrische Danielapokalypse (M. Henze); *Fragen Esras (J. Leonhardt-Balzer); 6. Leiter Jakobs (C. Böttrich); 7. Testament Jakobs (J. Dochhorn); and 8. Testament Isaaks (J. Dochhorn). Band 2: 1. Geschichte Melchisedeks (C. Böttrich); 2. *Aramäischer Aḥikar (H. Niehr); 3. Gebet Jakobs (P. W. van der Horst); 4. Jannes und Jambres (A. Pietersma); 5. Die Geschichte Josephs (A. Klostergaard Petersen); 6. Sprüche Menanders (T. Baarda); 7. Geschichte des Zosimus (J. Dochhorn); 8. Oden Salomos (J. H. Charlesworth) 9. *Die Schrift des Sem (J. H. Charlesworth); 10. Testament Salomos (P. Alexander); 11. Pseudo-Kallisthenes (N. Walter); and 12. *Bundesbuch (D. Lührmann). Volumes in print (as of early 2007) are indicated by the asterisk.9. H. Lichtenberger and G. S. Oegema, eds., Jüdische Schriften in ihrem antik-jüdischen und urchristlichen Kontext (JSHRZ-Studien 1; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 2002); I. Henderson and G. S. Oegema, eds., The Changing Face of Judaism, Christianity and Other Religions in Greco-Roman Antiquity (JSHRZ-Studien 2; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 2006).10. D. C. Allison, Testament of Abraham (CEJL; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2003); J. A. Fitzmyer, Tobit (CEJL; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2003); W. T. Wilson, The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides (CEJL; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2005); L. T. Stuckenbruck, 1 Enoch 91–108 (CEJL; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2007).11. L. H. Feldman, J. Kugel, and L. Schiffman, eds., The Lost Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Outside of Scripture, forthcoming.12. Volumes published to date include: M. de Jonge and J. Tromp, The Life of Adam and Eve and Related Literature (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997); J. R. Bartlett, 1 Maccabees (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998); R. Coggins, Sirach (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998); E. M. Humphrey, Joseph and Aseneth (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000); R. Kugler, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001); J. C. VanderKam, The Book of Jubilees (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001); and B. Otzen, Tobit and Judith (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2002).13. W. Barnstone, The Other Bible: Jewish Pseudepigrapha, Christian Apocrypha, Gnostic Scriptures, Kabbalah, Dead Sea Scrolls (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005).14. For example, L. Bombelli, ed., I frammenti degli storici giudaico-ellenistici (UGFL 103; Genoa: University of Genoa, 1986); and L. M. Wills, ed., Ancient Jewish Novels: An Anthology (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002).15. P. Sacchi et al., eds., Apocrifi dell’Antico Testamento (3 vols.; Testi e studi 5, 7–8; Brescia: Paideia, 1997–2000).16. See n. 2 above. In private correspondence, Jesús Caballero of Ediciones Cristianidad reports that the reissue is of the first edition, with the exception of the second volume, which has been augmented and revised by A. Piñero.17. J. P. Monferrer Sala, Textos apócrifos árabes cristianos: introducción, traducción y notas (Pliegos de oriente; Madri...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Abbreviations
• Preface
• I. The Pseudepigrapha and Christian Origins
• II. The Pseudepigrapha and the Synoptic Gospels
• III. The Pseudepigrapha and Paul
• IV. The Pseudepigrapha and Luke-Acts
• V. The Pseudepigrapha and the Revelation of John
• VI. Postscript
• Index of References
• Index of Authors
• Footnotes