Christian Apocrypha

Abstract

The article offers an overall introduction to Christian apocrypha. After a discussion of several terminological problems, it provides criteria for a definition of apocryphal literature and related traditions. After that, it discusses aspects of the question of why it may be meaningful to study Christian apocrypha. The article closes with an overview of the fields of the reception of apocrypha until today.

Keywords

• apocryphal texts
• bible
• canon
• heretical texts
• orthodox
• traditions
• translation
• pseudepigrapha