Beyond Canon: Early Christianity and the Ethiopic Textual Tradition

This book emphasizes the importance of a group of five texts in Ge'ez, the classical language of Ethiopia, that were excluded from the standard Christian Bible but preserved in Ethiopia's distinctive Christian tradition. These texts, including 1 Enoch, Jubilees, the Ascension of Isaiah, the Epistula Apostolorum, and the Apocalypse of Peter, represent a time in early Christian history when sacred texts were not limited by a sharply defined canonical boundary.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into the significance of a collection of five texts, which were excluded from the standard Christian Bible and preserved solely in Ge'ez, the classical language of Ethiopia. These texts hold immense importance for modern scholars due to their relevance for a wide range of early readers, as evidenced by the existence of fragmented fragments of other early translations in most cases. However, it is noteworthy that they eventually faced marginalization and abandonment, as a more restrictive understanding of the biblical canon gained prevalence, except in Ethiopia, where a distinctive Christian tradition emerged with a unique concept of a "closed canon."

By concentrating on 1 Enoch, Jubilees, the Ascension of Isaiah, the Epistula Apostolorum, and the Apocalypse of Peter, the contributors to this volume group them together as representatives of a time in early Christian history when sacred texts were not bound by a rigidly defined canonical boundary. In doing so, this book also sheds light on the unique and often overlooked contribution of the Ethiopic Christian Tradition to the study of early Christianity.

The significance of these texts lies in their historical and cultural context. Ge'ez, the language of these texts, was the primary language of communication in Ethiopia during the early Christian period, and the Ethiopic Christian Tradition played a pivotal role in the preservation and transmission of these texts. The Ethiopic Christian Church, which has a rich history dating back to the 4th century, has maintained a close relationship with these texts and has developed its own interpretation and understanding of them.

One of the key aspects of these texts is their emphasis on the role of angels and demons in human affairs. They depict angels as messengers of God and demons as agents of evil, and they explore the interactions between these supernatural beings and humans. This theme is particularly relevant in the context of early Christian belief systems, which were often influenced by the ancient Greek concept of the divide between the divine and the human.

Another notable feature of these texts is their emphasis on the afterlife. They describe the journey of souls after death, the fate of the righteous and the wicked, and the ultimate destiny of the universe. This theme is also closely related to early Christian belief systems, which held that the soul was immortal and that the afterlife was a place of punishment or reward depending on one's behavior during life.

The contributors to this volume offer insightful interpretations and analyses of these texts, drawing upon a range of scholarly disciplines, including biblical studies, linguistics, and cultural history. They explore the historical context of the texts, the linguistic challenges involved in their translation, and the cultural significance of the Ethiopic Christian Tradition in the preservation and interpretation of these texts.

In conclusion, this book highlights the significance of a collection of five texts excluded from the standard Christian Bible and preserved solely in Ge'ez. These texts hold immense importance for modern scholars due to their relevance for a wide range of early readers and their unique contribution to the study of early Christianity. The Ethiopic Christian Tradition's preservation and interpretation of these texts have played a crucial role in shaping the understanding of early Christian belief systems and the role of angels and demons in human affairs. By delving into the historical and cultural context of these texts, this book offers valuable insights into the development of early Christian thought and the unique contributions of the Ethiopic Christian Tradition to the study of early Christianity.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567695857