Infancy Gospel of James

“The Nativity” Austrian, ca. 1400, artist unknown

“Nativity”, Giotto, ca. 1300, Italian

Byzantine icon of the Nativity, date unknown

Text Written ca. 150 Written ca. 150 Shows how Christian imagination and values are developing Shows how Christian imagination and values are developing “fills out” Luke’s story of Jesus’ birth “fills out” Luke’s story of Jesus’ birth Most of story focuses on Mary: increasing curiosity about her and devotion to her, not really addressed in Luke Most of story focuses on Mary: increasing curiosity about her and devotion to her, not really addressed in Luke Very strong focus on purity (=virginity) Very strong focus on purity (=virginity)

Virginity Why so popular for early Christians? Why so popular for early Christians? Countercultural to Roman Empire, in which women were expected to marry and have children Countercultural to Roman Empire, in which women were expected to marry and have children Christians saw the ideal of virginity in Mary, not so much Jesus Christians saw the ideal of virginity in Mary, not so much Jesus Primarily about women, but men also became very dedicated to ideals of purity (very countercultural to the double standard of Rome) Primarily about women, but men also became very dedicated to ideals of purity (very countercultural to the double standard of Rome)

What did virginity mean? Luke’s gospel Luke’s gospel Mary was a young woman and she could not have conceived naturally Mary was a young woman and she could not have conceived naturally James’ infancy gospel James’ infancy gospel Mary was exceptionally pure in body and spirit Mary was exceptionally pure in body and spirit She kept her bodily integrity in giving birth (physical definition of virginity) She kept her bodily integrity in giving birth (physical definition of virginity) 2 nd century Christians: virginity became a way of discipleship 2 nd century Christians: virginity became a way of discipleship Radical way of life for women and men Radical way of life for women and men Perhaps signified not “mixing” with the world, focusing only on God Perhaps signified not “mixing” with the world, focusing only on God

Infancy Gospel How is Mary’s character developed? How is Mary’s character developed? In infancy In infancy In young adulthood In young adulthood What does the gospel contribute to 2 nd century views of Jesus? What does the gospel contribute to 2 nd century views of Jesus? What else can we learn about what was important to the audience of this gospel? What else can we learn about what was important to the audience of this gospel?

Differences between Luke and James Focus on Jesus’ birth Focus on Jesus’ birth Mary a young virgin, poor and humble Mary a young virgin, poor and humble Joseph engaged to Mary Joseph engaged to Mary Mary gave birth near a manger, not at the inn Mary gave birth near a manger, not at the inn Virginity implies miraculous conception (1:34, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”) Virginity implies miraculous conception (1:34, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”) Focus on Mary’s birth, some on Jesus Focus on Mary’s birth, some on Jesus Mary from a wealthy family, very pure and exceptional, connected to the Temple Mary from a wealthy family, very pure and exceptional, connected to the Temple Joseph an old man with sons, not engaged or married to Mary Joseph an old man with sons, not engaged or married to Mary Gave birth in a cave Gave birth in a cave Virginity implies physical integrity after birth (11:6, “Will I also give birth the way women usually do?”) Virginity implies physical integrity after birth (11:6, “Will I also give birth the way women usually do?”)

Contrast: Infancy Gospel of Thomas Tells story of Jesus’ childhood (ages 5-12) Tells story of Jesus’ childhood (ages 5-12) Jesus is powerful but not emotionally mature yet Jesus is powerful but not emotionally mature yet Has power to create life, strike dead, and raise again Has power to create life, strike dead, and raise again Can lose his temper and use powers inappropriately Can lose his temper and use powers inappropriately By end of gospel (age 12), he has matured so that his maturity matches his powers By end of gospel (age 12), he has matured so that his maturity matches his powers

For next time Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Thomas Most famous non-biblical gospel Most famous non-biblical gospel “Gnostic” “Gnostic” Featured in DaVinci Code Featured in DaVinci Code Very different image of Jesus Very different image of Jesus What sounds like Luke’s Jesus? What sounds like Luke’s Jesus? What sounds different? What sounds different? How does he treat people, including his disciples? How does he treat people, including his disciples? What is missing from this story of Jesus’ life? What is missing from this story of Jesus’ life?