Apocrypha

Apocrypha is a Greek word (απόκρυφα, neuter plural of απόκρυφος) and is formed by the combination of apo (away) with kryptein (hide). Thus it connotes the idea of "closed" or "hidden." (In this sense apocrypha is in contrast with apocalypse, which means "opened," "revealed," or "uncovered.") Apocryphon is the singular noun, apocrypha the plural noun, and apocryphal the adjective. These words are used to describe the character of a certain class of religiously oriented ancient writings.

Related Topics:
Greek - Apocalypse

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In Judeo-Christian theology, the word apocrypha refers to texts that are not considered canonical, part of the Bible, but are of roughly similar style and age as the accepted Scriptures.

Related Topics:
Judeo-Christian - Theology - Canonical - The Bible

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R.M. Wilson wrote:

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:"The Greek word apocryphos did not always have the disparaging sense which later became attached to it. In Gnostic circles it was used of books the contents of which were too sacred to be divulged to the common herd, and it was in fact the heretical associations which it thus came to possess which led to its use as a term of disparagement. In the Nag Hammadi library, for example, one document bears the title Apocryphon or Secret Book of John, another that of Apocryphon of James, and several Gnostic gospels contain solemn warnings against imparting their contents to any save the deserving, or for the sake of material gain."

Related Topics:
Gnostic - Heretical - Nag Hammadi library

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:—from Studies in the Gospel of Thomas (the "apocryphal" Gospel of Thomas)

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Apart from the broad sense mentioned in the first paragraph above, Protestants use the word "apocrypha", in a narrow sense, of those books that they exclude from their canon of Scripture, but that other Churches view as canonical and venerate as divinely inspired, written under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Disagreement between Christian Churches is almost non-existent about the canon of the New Testament, but the inclusion of some books in the Old Testament canon is disputed. Since these books were of late composition, Protestant scholars sometimes call them "intertestamental", i.e. intermediate between the Old and New Testaments, and hold that God imposed a period of silence, with no prophecy or Scripture, to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Related Topics:
New Testament - Old Testament - Jesus

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The books that come under the description "apocrypha" in the broad sense but not in this narrow sense are called apocrypha by Catholics and Jews, but Protestants usually call them Pseudepigrapha. Many of them have apocalyptic themes.

Related Topics:
Pseudepigrapha - Apocalyptic

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