The Lost Books of the Bible

The Lost Books of the Bible is a collection of New Testament apocryphal writings, first published in its familiar form in the 19th century as a reprint of earlier English translations. The core of the collection originates from The Apostolic Fathers, compiled in 1693 by William Wake, who would later become the Archbishop of Canterbury. Wake’s compilation was intended to preserve texts that were revered by early Christians but ultimately excluded from the canon of the New Testament. These writings offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of early Christian belief and practice, before the formal boundaries of orthodoxy were drawn. The volume includes such texts as the Gospel of the Birth of Mary, the Protevangelion, and accounts of Jesus’ childhood not found in the canonical gospels. It also features epistles attributed to Paul and others, such as correspondence with Seneca and Herod, as well as the often-cited Epistle to the Laodiceans. Of particular note is the Shepherd of Hermas, a visionary work presented in three books that employ rich allegorical and apocalyptic imagery. These writings shed light on the theological debates, devotional practices, and narrative traditions of the early Church, making the collection an important resource for those interested in Christian origins, scriptural development, and forgotten voices of the faith.