The Infancy Gospels of Jesus by Stevan L. Davies

Hock, professor of religion, University of Southern California About the Author:īook Description Paperback. Davies’ translations are appropriately idiomatic, and his comments are informative and insightful by comparing these stories not only to pagan, Christian and Jewish parallels but also to versions of some of the stories in the Qur’an.” “Filled with incidents that are magical, touching, humorous, even shocking, but always entertaining. ― Jane Schaberg, professor of religious and women's/gender studies, University of Detroit Mercy I will assign it for students next semester.” Gives us a sense of the creativity involved in thinking about the infancy of Jesus and his mother, Mary.

I love this book! Weaves solid historical scholarship with a deep appreciation for folk traditions and fiction. Miller, author, Born Divine: The Births of Jesus and Other Sons of God An ideal starting point for the study of these fascinating gospels.' helps us appreciate the imaginative storytelling in these narratives as well as their piety and theological content―and even their occasional humor. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. Sharing these folktales told by the ordinary people of early Christianity provides access to the great insight these writings offer into the Christian people s religion of ancient times rather than to the religion of the literate elites This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and philosophical terms, shares inspiring interpretations of famous spiritual teachers, and gives you a deeper understanding of the sources of devotion Christians feel for the holy infant Jesus. Now you can experience the mystery and amusement of these charming folktales without any previous knowledge of early Christian history or thought. These apocryphal stories are fictions but nevertheless of great historical interest in terms of the beliefs and storytelling of early Christians, for they are the sources of well-known Christian legends as well as some of Christianity s beloved heroes and heroines. The three principal infancy gospels the Infancy Gospel of James, the Book of Joseph the High Priest, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas are accounts of the birth and early life of Mary and of the birth and early life of Jesus.

The Infancy Gospels of Jesus by Stevan L. Davies