Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance [Hardcover]

David A. DeSilva (Author), James H. Charlesworth (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

The status of the apocryphal (or deuterocanonical) books has been one of the longstanding areas of disagreement among various Christian traditions. David deSilva suggests, however, that whether one views these books as Scripture (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians) or not (Protestant Christians), these books should be read and studied for their inherent value.

The books of the Apocrypha are a witness to faith, specifically the faith of Jewish people living from 200 B.C.E. to 100 C.E. Contemporary Christian readers find these books to be surprisingly relevant. In addition, they provide essential historical background for understanding the Judaism of Jesus¹ day and the Jewish matrix of early Christianity.

After explaining the value of studying the Apocrypha and surveying the historical context from which these writings emerged, deSilva proceeds through each book of the Apocrypha (as found in the NRSV). Using all the tools of a skilled interpreter, he provides the necessary background details (date, circumstances of writing, etc.) before surveying the content and message of each book. Along the way, readers are introduced to connections between the Apocrypha and the Old and New Testaments and are encouraged to embark upon their own exploration of these fascinating books.

Especially suitable for classroom settings, this substantive, up-to-date, and well-written volume is accessible to and will be enjoyed by clergy and laity as well.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Perhaps by virtue of its very stepchild status, the Apocrypha is an endless source of fascination for the scholar and lay reader of scriptural texts. This roundup of current scholarship by deSilva (New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary) is thorough and effective, and his appreciation of the texts is palpable. This work is well informed but boasts the accessible prose we have come to expect from this publisher. Readers should note that deSilva's approach is Christian, albeit respectful of the Jewish origins of most of the Apocrypha's works. For most collections.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

David A. deSilva (Ph.D., Emory University) is associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio. He is the author of numerous books, including The Hope of Glory: Honor Discourse and New Testament Interpretation and Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080102319X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801023194
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David deSilva majored in English at Princeton University (AB, 1987), received a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary (1990), and completed a doctorate in New Testament studies at Emory University (1995). He has taught on the faculty of Ashland Theological Seminary since 1995. David is also ordained in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served as an organist and choir director in Episcopal, Lutheran, and United Methodist churches since 1985. He is married to Donna Jean Heitman deSilva, with whom he shares three sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the Apocrypha in print, March 30, 2003

By 

Mr. Michael C. Morrow (Wichita, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance (Hardcover)

At present, there are 4 books in print that provide a survey of the books of the Apocrypha. The oldest, An Introduction to the Apocrypha (1957), is an excellent survey by Bruce Metzger. It includes thorough summaries of each book, and a good history of these books in the Christian church. However, it only discusses the 15 books of the Apocrypha recognized by the Western churches. It does not discuss 3 and 4 Maccabees and Psalm 151, which are included in the Bible of the Eastern Orthodox churches.

More recent publications include Invitation to the Apocrypha by Daniel Harrington (1999) and Stories Between the Testaments: Meeting the People of the Apocrypha (2000) by Marjorie Kimbrough. Harrington's book provides background information, a well written and thorough summary of the contents, and the significance of each of the 18 books of the Apocrypha. The author's focus on the issue of suffering in the books of the Apocrypha further adds to the value of this book. However, this book provides only a very brief discussion about the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian church.

Kimbrough's book provides good, but brief summaries of each of the 18 books, along with discussion questions at the end of each chapter. However, this book provides only a very sketchy (less than 2 pages) discussion on the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian churches.

David deSilva's book, Introducing the Apocrypha, begins with an excellent discussion of the value of the Apocrypha, and a good overview of the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian church. He emphasizes the importance of these books for all Christians, regardless of one's position concerning their canonicity. He then has a chapter on the historical context in which the books of the Apocrypha were written. The chapter on each book of the Apocrypha includes a discussion of the structure and content of the book, the textual transmission, the author, date and setting, the book's genre and purpose, the formative influences in the writing of the book, and the book's theology and influence. Overall, of all the books in print, deSilva's book provides the best and most thorough survey of each book of the Apocrypha and the history of the Apocrypha in the Christian church. The author combines a thorough knowledge of his subject with a writing style that is easy to read and understand.

Should one be interested in a more detailed study of the history of the Apocrypha in the Christian church, you should obtain The Apocrypha in Ecumenical Perspective, edited by Siegfried Meurer.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the Apocrypha in print, October 7, 2005

By 

Mr. Michael C. Morrow (Wichita, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance (Paperback)

At present, there are 4 books in print that provide a survey of the books of the Apocrypha. The oldest, An Introduction to the Apocrypha (1957), is an excellent survey by Bruce Metzger. It includes thorough summaries of each book, and a good history of these books in the Christian church. However, it only discusses the 15 books of the Apocrypha recognized by the Western churches. It does not discuss 3 and 4 Maccabees and Psalm 151, which are included in the Bible of the Eastern Orthodox churches.
More recent publications include Invitation to the Apocrypha by Daniel Harrington (1999) and Stories Between the Testaments: Meeting the People of the Apocrypha (2000) by Marjorie Kimbrough. Harrington's book provides background information, a well written and thorough summary of the contents, and the significance of each of the 18 books of the Apocrypha. The author's focus on the issue of suffering in the books of the Apocrypha further adds to the value of this book. However, this book provides only a very brief discussion about the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian church.

Kimbrough's book provides good, but brief summaries of each of the 18 books, along with discussion questions at the end of each chapter. However, this book provides only a very sketchy (less than 2 pages) discussion on the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian churches.

David deSilva's book, Introducing the Apocrypha, begins with an excellent discussion of the value of the Apocrypha, and a good overview of the history and canonical status of these books in the Christian church. He emphasizes the importance of these books for all Christians, regardless of one's position concerning their canonicity. He then has a chapter on the historical context in which the books of the Apocrypha were written. The chapter on each book of the Apocrypha includes a discussion of the structure and content of the book, the textual transmission, the author, date and setting, the book's genre and purpose, the formative influences in the writing of the book, and the book's theology and influence. Overall, of all the books in print, deSilva's book provides the best and most thorough survey of each book of the Apocrypha and the history of the Apocrypha in the Christian church. The author combines a thorough knowledge of his subject with a writing style that is easy to read and understand.

Should one be interested in a more detailed study of the history of the Apocrypha in the Christian church, you should obtain The Apocrypha in Ecumenical Perspective, edited by Siegfried Meurer.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the time to explore these texts, December 16, 2004

By 

Richard Smith "student and servant" (Knoxville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance (Hardcover)

I have to admit to some fascination with the Apocrypha. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, fell away from the church altogether during my educational years, and then I chanced to marry the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. I now serve as an elder in the Presbyterian church among my other jobs. Given this background, and combined with an interest in the reformation and the formation of the canon of the Bible, the Apocrapha has held special fascination for me.
To those not aware, the Apocrapha consists of books considered as part of the canon in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, but not in the protestant tradition. DeSilva deals with these issues in the introduction, then goes on to give a summary of each of the books of the Apocrypha.
I used this opportunity to read each of the books first and then I read DeSilva's chapter on each book. He does a wonderful job of summarizing each book and pulling out the salient points. He is especially adept at discussing the purpose of the author in writing the book and the theology that the book presents.
To those whose faith tradition includes the books of the Apocrypha as part of their canon, this book will serve as an excellent overview to aid in the study of these books. To my protestant brothers and sisters I recommend that you take the time to get to know and learn about these books. They offer a fascinating insight into the jewish world between Malachi and Matthew and I believe that studying them will enhance your appreciation both of the Old and the New Testament.