First Apocalypse of James

 
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The First Apocalypse of James is a Gnostic apocalyptic writing.[1] Its initially rediscovery was a Coptic translation[2] as the third tractate of Codex V in the Nag Hammadi library.[1][3] Additional copies were later found in Coptic as part of the Codex Tchacos[4][5] and in Greek among the Oxyrhynchus Papyri.[6][7] The text uses Valentinian theologoumena,[1][2] leading to the belief that the original document was written in c. 200 AD.[2] The content of the text is a dialogue between Jesus and James the Just.[3][8] The text takes a docetic view of Jesus via his statements "you are not my brother materially" and "never have I suffered in any way, nor have I been distressed."[8][9] The text prepares James for his death as a martyr[8] by emphasizing spiritual redemption over material existence.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Schoedel, William R. (March 1981). The Nag Hammadi library in English. San Francisco: Harper & Row. p. 242. ISBN 9780060669294. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kirby, Peter. "1st Apocalypse of James". Early Christian Writings. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b Schoedel, William R. "Apocalypse of James, First". The Coptic encyclopedia, volume 1. Claremont Graduate University. School of Religion. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. ^ Smith, A.P. (2009). A Dictionary of Gnosticism. Quest Books. p. 60f. ISBN 978-0-8356-0869-5.
  5. ^ Kasser, R.; Meyer, M.; Wurst, G.; Ehrman, D.; Gaudard, F. (2008). The Gospel of Judas. National Geographic. p. 64f. ISBN 978-1-4262-0048-9. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  6. ^ Medrano, Kastalia (2017-11-30). "First Copy of Jesus's Secret Writings to His Brother Recovered From Antiquity in Original Greek". Newsweek. Retrieved 2017-12-04. Greek, the language in which it was originally written
  7. ^ Ritchie, Greg (4 Dec 2017). "Heretical text of Jesus' brother found in Oxford". Cherwell. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  8. ^ a b c McDowell, Sean (2016). The Fate of the Apostles: Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus. Taylor & Francis. p. 126. ISBN 978-1-317-03190-1. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. ^ Schoedel, William R. "The (First) Apocalypse of James". The Gnostic Society Library. The Nag Hammadi Library. Retrieved 15 February 2023.