Lost Books of the Bible For Dummies by Daniel L. Smith-Christopher (PDF)

Description

Lost Books of the Bible For Dummies is your one-stop guide to once-hidden works that add a new dimension to Biblical teachings. Most people have heard about the discovery of strange ancient religious writings that are not part the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament, such as the Gnostic Gospels. Now, you will find new insights and a fresh perspective on long-lost works that may have once been in the running for Biblical inclusion, but didn’t make the final cut. This easy-to-understand guide examines the sometimes weird, provocative, and profoundly moving texts that have been “lost” as well as those hotly debated works that are in some Bibles and not others. You will come away with a clearer understanding of the Judeo-Christian religion and the development of the Biblical canon. You’ll learn about the origins of the Bible, explore early scriptures, and understand why translations affect the meanings of texts. You’ll even learn how the Greek influenced early Biblical writing. Find out how to:Explain what the term “lost books” meansUnderstand the definition of “canon”Take translation differences into considerationDivide early writings into style categoriesTake another look at scripture with the Dead Sea ScrollsSee how the Greeks influenced early scriptureDecode apocalyptic visionsComplete with a list of ten of the weirdest Jewish lost books, ten of the weirdest Christian lost books, ten sayings of Jesus NOT in the Bible, and ten “lost books that every student of the Bible should read, Lost Books of the BibleFor Dummies is your one-stop guide to understanding and reading the Biblical lost books.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From the Back Cover Uncovers the mystery behind ancient Christian and Jewish writingsYour complete resource for exploring the major lost books and the Judeo-Christian religionAre you intrigued by the discoveries of strange ancient religious writings that are not part of the Bible? This fun, friendly guide examines these largely unknown works, offering prominent scholars’ views on their meanings and importance. From the Book of Enoch to the Gnostic Gospels to the Gospel of Judas, you’ll understand the differences between the writings and their impact on religion.Discover:How the biblical canon developedThe different categories of ancient religious writingWhy these works are not in the BibleWhat the lost books teach us about GodSayings of Jesus not in the Bible About the Author Dr. Daniel L. Smith-Christopher was recently named Undergraduate Theology Teacher of the Year by Augsburg Fortress Press. Stephen Spignesi is the author or coauthor of over 40 books, including Native American History For Dummies.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Unlike “The Bible for Dummies” (which was cringeworthy), this reference was well-researched, well written and extremely informative. It deserves a place in my library. I highly recommend it. Get it while you can!

⭐A most informative and highly accurate account of the so-called “lost” books of the Bible, this latest addition to the splendid “Dummies” series, deserves the widest possible readership. By “lost”, the authors mean, of course, all the works not included in approved Protestant Bibles, not just early religious books that have in fact either wholly or partly disappeared. Using this yardstick, the authors discuss all the extra books included in current Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, of which the most important are undoubtedly Wisdom and Ben Sirach, as well as compositions regarded as authoritative only by some Orthodox churches, such as Third and Fourth Maccabees and Psalm 151. Also included are celebrated works that “almost” made it into the New Testament (and were in fact actually included in early editions in some instances) like “The Shepherd of Hermas” and “The Didache”. Recently rediscovered Gnostic Gospels and other literature are also dealt with at length. In fact, so much information is laid at the reader’s fingertips, it is almost overwhelming. The authors have obviously examined much (if not all) of this material at first hand. On a few occasions (perhaps the result of unwarily consulting faulty translations), they miss the point. For example, the whole thrust of the inspired author’s argument in the early chapters of the so-called “Wisdom of Solomon” is that the personified Wisdom is the Holy Spirit. Although content to quote Wisdom 6:12-15, the present compilers do not move on to the end of his argument in chapter 7, when the inspired author declares that Wisdom “is a breath of the power of God, a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty,” who “in every generation passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God and prophets” (RSV). However, aside from this one sticking point, I heartily agree with almost everything that is said about other ancient Biblical writings with which I am expertly familiar and which I have recently translated in my book,

⭐Arrived undamaged.

⭐The book came fast and is in better condition that I expected and VERY affordable; am very pleased. Interesting and historical information on books NOT IN THE BIBLE. I know the professor who wrote this book and he is an exceptional teacher.I have taken a course, by him, of The Old Testament for lay people and it has been eye opening and mind boggling; I have a new respect and understanding of the Old Testament now. The Dummies series are easy to read and often humorous, making the topic easy to digest. Also, I now see that the more I know, the less chance of being fooled by others.

⭐great price

⭐I have a number of the books from this series and have really enjoyed reading them all. Would recommend to someone interested in reading this type of books

⭐Very interesting book. Helps take some of the confusion out of the lost books and helps to explain them better.

⭐The organization of the book is very easy to follow, the content is robust and complete, and it’s easy to read.

⭐I have always been intrigued by the notion that there may be other books outside of the accepted canon of the Bible.Previously, I had seen documentaries on the History Channel about The Dead Sea Scrolls and The Nag Hammadi Library. However, I still did not know much about them or any other lost works, until I read this book, that is! The reader will also discover such wonders as The Book of Enoch, which is an apocalyptic work very similar in language and tone to The Book of Revelation, as well as a host of other fascinating texts.I have read quite a few of the ‘for Dummies’ books and many of them are just plain annoying, due to the writers trying too hard to be funny even when it is not required.This is a well researched and informative book, accessible to anyone. Although the authors have serious academic credentials, their humorous tone makes this book a joy to read.

⭐Couldnt understand a word of it and I am a dummy.

⭐Gives you a great overview of the so called lost books. I’d recommend this book as an introduction the the lost books of the Bible.

⭐I learned a lot about the ‘lost books’ that did not make it to the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and to a lesser intend the Christian Bible. I found it remarkable that these excluded books would not have contributed to the Tanakh as we know it; the texts were not that different from the current texts or were a contradiction to the existing texts without adding anything to our religious views. The Books of Enoch proved to be the most influential among these `lost books’: its influence in the literature and religious beliefs is substantial, making it interesting to read about it. Although this book in an introduction to the Gnostic Gospels, for most readers it is accessible and sufficient.

⭐very good

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