Ecrits apocryphes chretiens, I

Abstract

Reviewed by: Écrits apocryphes chrétiens, I D. Jeffrey Bingham Francois Bovon and Pierre Geoltrain, editors. Écrits apocryphes chrétiens, I. Paris: Editions Gallimard, 1997. Pp. lxv + 1782. 450 FF. English readers of the Christian apocryphal literature are most familiar with the modern selections provided in The Apocryphal New Testament, trans. M. R. James (Oxford: Clarendon, 1924Oxford: Clarendon, 1953); its thorough revision, The Apocryphal New Testament, ed. J. K. Elliott (Oxford: Clarendon, 1993); and New Testament Apocrypha, 2 vols., 2d ed. W. Schneelmelcher and trans. R. McL. Wilson (Louisville: W/JKP, 1992). English translations of some texts within the Christian Apocrypha are not included in these anthologies and must be accessed in the companion volume to Elliott, The Apocryphal Old Testament, ed. H. F. P. Sparks (Oxford: Clarendon, 1984), or in Old Testament Pseudepigrapha 2 vols., ed. J. H. Clarlesworth (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1983). Genre-specific translations dedicated to the apocryphal Acts and Gospels, have also been published. [End Page 316] Critical texts (often with translations) are also becoming available in independent volumes as well as in series (e.g., Corpus Christiananum, Series Apocryphorum and the Society of Biblical Literature’s series, Christian Apocrypha. German, Italian, and Spanish readers have also had access (in 2 to 4 volume sets) to more or less complete collections of the Christian Apocrypha in modern translations. It was not until the Bibliotèque de la Pléiade delivered this lovely, new translation of the Christian apocryphal writings, however, that such an anthology was available in French. What is so appealing about the edition by Bovon and Geoltrain, and not only for the French reader, is the ease and quality of access it provides to this particular group of early Christian literature. First, Bovon and Geoltrain have gathered a most impressive group of international specialists known for their work on particular texts. To name but a few: J. Gijsel for the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew; J. D. Kaestli for the Questions of Bartholomew; E. Norelli for the Ascension of Isaiah; R. Bauckham and P. Marrassini for the Apocalypse of Peter. Second, these translators and annotators have provided both general orientations to each text and specific commentary. Before each translated text they give an introduction to its genre, content, and structure, a note on its manuscript tradition, and a bibliography of editions, translations and studies. The bibliographies are not complete, but they do list many of the more important works and seek to be selectively current. By means of notes (sometimes extensive) within the texts the contributors comment upon issues of textual, exegetical, and theological interest. Third, the editors have helpfully included translations of texts unavailable in Elliott or Schneemelcher: The Book of the Nativity of Mary, the Apocalypse of Sedrach (which is available in Sparks or Charlesworth, but which D. Ellul, its translator and annotator in the current volume, rightly insists is “Christian in its present state” [p. 576]), the Vision of Ezra, the Odes of Solomon (both also available in Sparks or Charlesworth), the Acts of Peter and Andrew, the Acts of Andrew and Paul (both only summarized in Elliott), the Acts of Philip (Elliott provides only Act 8 in translation and some summary), the Doctrina Addai (Elliott translates only the Letter of Christ and Abgar), the Legend of Simon and Theone, and the Eulogy of John the Baptist. Fourth, the editors have chosen to compile all these texts in one handy volume with superb, useful indices of names, ancient texts, and themes. Students of the history of exegesis will be particularly grateful for the extensive index and the footnotes pertaining to biblical allusions and citations. There are a few lacunae in comparison to the single volume of Elliott. For example, the editors did not include the Acts of Pilate or other Pilate texts, but this might be explained by the relatively late date of these texts. Happily, the Bibliotèque foresees a second volume of later apocryphal Christian writings. On the whole, this volume offers lucid translations with study helps useful to any student of early Christian literature. The editors have made their selections wisely. It provides a rich complement, for English readers, to Elliott and Schneemelcher. D. Jeffrey Bingham Dallas Theological...