The Apocrypha

Historical Context Essay

Albert Labriola (Duquesne University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.1: Greek Writing and Culture: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Imperial, -800--100.
Vol. editors: Jonathan Burgess (University of Toronto), Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Vaios Liapis (Open University of Cyprus), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Mali Skotheim (Ashoka University), Laura Swift (The Open University), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool)

Domains

Catholic

Dates

Date of occurrence -300-800

Places

Ancient Greece (Location)
Israel (Location)
Palestine (Location)

Genres and Modes

Religion and Spirituality (any)
- Religious writing

Resources

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The term “Apocrypha” designates works not included in the biblical canon of inspired books though they resemble the contents and style of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament Apocrypha range in composition from the Third Century BCE to the Third Century CE. The New Testament books date primarily from the Second to Fourth Centuries CE, though some works may have been composed as late as the Seventh Century CE. The use and applicability of the term “Apocrypha”, however, differ among Catholics, Protestant Christians, and Jews. Catholics use various criteria to distinguish canonical from apocryphal works. Canonical works trace their origins to the Apostles and their associates. Because they were known and used in the major early Christian communities, the canonical works…

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2038 words

Citation: Labriola, Albert. "The Apocrypha". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 January 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1367, accessed 25 November 2024.]