The Proto-Gospel of James Clare Hudson, Hannah Japp, Logan Hill, Rebecca Hyndman, and Will Otto
Background Who: - James (Jesus’ stepbrother)? - Someone writing under a pseudonym? When: A.D.
Background pt. II Why: -To detail Mary’s story in the time leading up to Jesus’ birth -To emphasize Mary’s purity Original language: -Greek
Background pt. III Number of manuscripts: -Approx. 130 Date of manuscripts: -Earliest is from the 3rd century -Most manuscripts are dated to the 10th century or later
Basic Outline -3 segments, each containing 8 chapters -Mary’s birth -Mary’s childhood in the Temple -Mary’s life with Joseph -Jesus’ conception -Jesus’ birth
Similarities and Differences Similarities -Angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth -Mary visits Elizabeth -Joseph is concerned over Mary's pregnancy -An angel appears to Joseph -The couple travels to Bethlehem for the census -Herod and the Magi -The murder of the innocents Differences -Assumes audience is familiar with characters -The story of Mary’s birth and life is told -Mary concludes she is to be the mother of Jesus -Joseph’s backstory given in part -Mary forgot what the angel revealed to her -Mary and Joseph were brought before a tribunal once Mary’s pregnancy was discovered -Mary gave birth in a cave -The Magi come to Bethlehem to inquire about Jesus, not Jerusalem -The family does not flee to Egypt -John the Baptist hidden inside a mountain between non-canonical and canonical texts
Should this text be made Canon? -Many contradictions to canonical scripture -James is most likely is not the author -Historical dismissal by the early Church -As a result, the text should not be Canon