Infancy Gospels of Jesus
Annotated & Explained
SkyLight Paths Publishing,US
Published on 18. June 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-59473-258-4 (ISBN)
Description
The three principal infancy gospels-the Infancy Gospel of James, the Book of Joseph the High Priest, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas-are accounts of the birth and early life of Mary and of the birth and early life of Jesus. These apocryphal stories are fictions but nevertheless of great historical interest in terms of the beliefs and storytelling of early Christians, for they are the sources of well-known Christian legends as well as some of Christianity's beloved heroes and heroines.
Now you can experience the mystery and amusement of these charming folktales without any previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you a deeper understanding of the sources of devotion Christians feel for the holy infant Jesus. Sharing these folktales told by the ordinary people of early Christianity provides access to the great insight these writings offer into the Christian people's religion of ancient times rather than to the religion of the literate elites
Now you can experience the mystery and amusement of these charming folktales without any previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you a deeper understanding of the sources of devotion Christians feel for the holy infant Jesus. Sharing these folktales told by the ordinary people of early Christianity provides access to the great insight these writings offer into the Christian people's religion of ancient times rather than to the religion of the literate elites
Reviews / Votes
"Accessible and insightful ... helps us appreciate the imaginative storytelling in these narratives as well as their piety and theological content-and even their occasional humor. An ideal starting point for the study of these fascinating gospels."-Robert J. Miller, author, Born Divine: The Births of Jesus and Other Sons of God
"Clear, accurate and fun to read.... I love this book! Weaves solid historical scholarship with a deep appreciation for folk traditions and fiction. Gives us a sense of the creativity involved in thinking about the infancy of Jesus and his mother, Mary. I will assign it for students next semester."
-Jane Schaberg, professor of religious and women's/gender studies, University of Detroit Mercy
"Filled with incidents that are magical, touching, humorous, even shocking, but always entertaining. Davies' translations are appropriately idiomatic, and his comments are informative and insightful by comparing these stories not only to pagan, Christian and Jewish parallels but also to versions of some of the stories in the Qur'an."
-Ronald F. Hock, professor of religion, University of Southern California
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Woodstock
United States
Publishing group
Jewish Lights Publishing
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
232 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59473-258-4 (9781594732584)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
The Infancy Gospels of Jesus
Apocryphal Tales from the Childhoods of Mary and Jesus-Annotated & Explained
E-Book
06/2011
1st Edition
SkyLight Paths
€16.49
Available for download
Person
Stevan Davies is professor of religious studies at Misericordia University and has studied the non-canonical gospels and acts for over thirty years. Among his books are The Gospel of Thomas: Annotated and Explained, The Secret Book of John: The Gnostic Gospel-Annotated and Explained (both SkyLight Paths) and The Revolt of the Widows: The Social World of the Apocryphal Acts. He has also published books about the canonical Christian scriptures including New Testament Fundamentals and Jesus the Healer: Possession, Trance and the Origins of Christianity. His website (http://users.misericordia.edu/davies/thomas/Thomas.html) is a leading Internet resource on the Gospel of Thomas.
A. Edward Siecienski, PhD is assistant professor of philosophy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and also serves as Clement and Helen Pappas Professor of Byzantine Civilization and Religion at the college's Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies.
A. Edward Siecienski, PhD is assistant professor of philosophy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and also serves as Clement and Helen Pappas Professor of Byzantine Civilization and Religion at the college's Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies.
Content
Foreword by A. Edward Siecienski, PhD
Introduction: Tales from the Childhood of Mary and Jesus
The Gospel of James
Joachim and Anne: The Gift of Mary
Mary: The Story of Her Birth
Mary: Raised in Blessing and Purity
Joseph: Mary's Protector
Mary: Miraculous Conception
Joseph and Mary: Accused and Tested
Mary and Joseph: The Christmas Story
The Magi: In Search of a King
Herod: The Murder of Zechariah
The Gospel of the Infancy
A Cave, Not a Stable: The Nativity Story
A Sinful Mary and the Anointing of Christ
Jesus in the Temple
The Magi and Herod: Varying Views of Jesus
Into Egypt: The Holy Family in Flight
Exorcising a Deaf and Dumb Demon 83
The Bridegroom Mule: A Brother Restore
Bandits: In Them, Jesus Sees His Destiny 93
Balsams in His Path: The Holy Child Return
The Co-Wife's Punishment
Satan's Bite: The Young Judas Iscariot
Divine Mischief: The Boy Jesus at Play
The King, Christ and a Snake
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
The Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas
Clay Sparrows: A Dark Miracle
The Vengeful Boy: Christ in Conflict
The Young Healer Explores His Powers
Divine Carpenter: Jesus Adjusts His Elder's Mistakes
The Pupil Teaches His Teacher
The Miraculous Physician
In the House of My Father: Jesus in the Temple
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Introduction: Tales from the Childhood of Mary and Jesus
The Gospel of James
Joachim and Anne: The Gift of Mary
Mary: The Story of Her Birth
Mary: Raised in Blessing and Purity
Joseph: Mary's Protector
Mary: Miraculous Conception
Joseph and Mary: Accused and Tested
Mary and Joseph: The Christmas Story
The Magi: In Search of a King
Herod: The Murder of Zechariah
The Gospel of the Infancy
A Cave, Not a Stable: The Nativity Story
A Sinful Mary and the Anointing of Christ
Jesus in the Temple
The Magi and Herod: Varying Views of Jesus
Into Egypt: The Holy Family in Flight
Exorcising a Deaf and Dumb Demon 83
The Bridegroom Mule: A Brother Restore
Bandits: In Them, Jesus Sees His Destiny 93
Balsams in His Path: The Holy Child Return
The Co-Wife's Punishment
Satan's Bite: The Young Judas Iscariot
Divine Mischief: The Boy Jesus at Play
The King, Christ and a Snake
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
The Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas
Clay Sparrows: A Dark Miracle
The Vengeful Boy: Christ in Conflict
The Young Healer Explores His Powers
Divine Carpenter: Jesus Adjusts His Elder's Mistakes
The Pupil Teaches His Teacher
The Miraculous Physician
In the House of My Father: Jesus in the Temple
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading