Description
Book SynopsisForgery and Counter-Forgery: The Use of Literary Deceit in Early Christian Polemics by Bart Ehrman, the New York Times best-selling author of Misquoting Jesus and recognized authority on early Christianity, is the first major contemporary work on forgery in early Christian literature. It examines the motivation and function behind Christian literary forgeries. Ehrman guides readers through Christian literary forgeries of the first four centuries CE while providing coverage of other ancient texts. He asks why early Christians lied about themselves when writing polemical works; and then answers by showing how unknown Christian authors used forgeries to defend their own faith and attack other interpretations of early Christianity. He further asks why many scholars resist acknowledging their forgeries; and he answers that the forgeries uncomfortably call into question the authority of the New Testament. The book is essential reading for those interested in early Christianity and the New Te
Trade ReviewFew books have so effectively challenged the basis of scriptural authority in Christianity. * London Review of Books *
This is a rich study on a broad range of documents ... that will stimulate further, needed research. * Ilaria L.E. Ramelli, Filologia Neotestamentaria *
Table of ContentsTable of Contents ; Acknowledgments ; Chapter One: Introduction ; PART ONE: FORGERY IN THE GRECO-ROMAN WORLD ; Chapter Two: Forgers, Critics, and Deceived Deceivers ; Chapter Three: Terms and Taxonomies ; Chapter Four: Forgery in Antiquity: Aspects of the Broader Phenomenon ; Chapter Five: Forgery in Antiquity: Motives, Techniques, Intentions, Justifications, and Criteria of Detection ; PART TWO: FORGERY IN EARLY CHRISTIAN POLEMICS ; Chapter Six: Introduction to Forgery and Counter-forgery in Early Christian Polemics ; Chapter Seven: Early Pauline Forgeries Dealing with Eschatology ; Chapter Eight: Later Forgeries Dealing with Eschatology ; Chapter Nine: Forgeries in Support of Paul and His Authority ; Chapter Ten: Forgeries in Opposition to Paul and His Message ; Chapter Eleven: Anti-Jewish Forgeries ; Chapter Twelve: Forgeries involving Church Organization and Leadership ; Chapter Thirteen: Forgeries involving Debates over the Flesh ; Chapter Fourteen: Forgeries Arising from Later Theological Controversies ; Chapter Fifteen: Apologetic Forgeries ; Chapter Sixteen: Lies and Deception In the Cause of Truth ; Bibliography
