The Apocryphal Acts of Peter: Magic, Miracles and Gnosticism (Studies on Early Christian Apocrypha) [Mass Market Paperback]

J.N. Bremmer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998 | Series: Studies on Early Christian Apocrypha (Book 3)

This is the first modern collection of studies on the most important aspects of the Acts of Peter, the source of the famous novel Quo Vadis ? by Henry Sienkiewicz. The collection of essays discusses many aspects of the Acts of Peter: its relationship with the Acts of John and the Acts of Paul, but also important themes such as the fascinating figure of Simon the Magician, Agrippa and his concubines. It looks at the nature of the theos aner, the role of women, the place of magic, the performance of miracles, the famous death of Peter upside-down, the regulae fidei and other early credal formulations. Finally it discusses the transmission and Latinity of the Acts, and the date and place of its publication (Peeters 1998)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French, German, Latin

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: Peeters Publishers (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9042900199
• ISBN-13: 978-9042900196
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,216,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1.0 out of 5 stars not much help, December 9, 2009

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This review is from: The Apocryphal Acts of Peter: Magic, Miracles and Gnosticism (Studies on Early Christian Apocrypha) (Mass Market Paperback)

There is not much out there on this subject, which makes this book is a disappointment. It is a collection of essays, including many written by Hungarian scholars and translated into English. In some cases, the English translation appears rough and hurried, and one gets the sense the original essayist's meaning is somewhat obscured. One chapter is written entirely in French. This is a handsome volume, and nicely laid out, and it does supply a need for a work on the apocryphal acts of Peter; but as to content there is much here that is obscure and forgettable. Not counting the chapter in French and the index, this is a 191-page paperback which offers little help at an enormous price.