The Infancy Gospels: The Definitive & Complete Modern English Translation: Protoevangelium of James, Gospel of Thomas, Pseudo-Matthew, and More, including Historical Commentary

The Hidden Stories of Jesus's Childhood in Modern EnglishWhat was Jesus like as a child? These ancient texts attempted to answer the questions that the New Testament left unanswered—and the results were so shocking that early church authorities banned them from the biblical canon.This complete collection presents the most important Infancy Gospels in clear, readable modern English, revealing the strange and sometimes disturbing stories that early Christians told about the childhood of Jesus and the early life of Mary.Complete Texts Included:The Protoevangelium of James- The detailed story of Mary's miraculous birth and childhoodThe Infancy Gospel of Thomas- Jesus as a wonder-working (and sometimes deadly) childThe Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew- Expanded stories of the nativity and flight to EgyptThe History of Joseph the Carpenter- The detailed account of Joseph's life and deathThe Life of John the Baptist by Serapion- The complete story of the forerunner's lifeExclusive Historical Analysis:"When God Was a Toddler"- Why early Christians desperately needed these childhood stories"Too Weird for the Bible"- Why church authorities ultimately rejected these popular tales"What These Strange Stories Actually Tell Us"- The psychology of popular religion vs. official doctrineWhy These Stories Were Written:Early Christian parents faced an embarrassing problem—the New Testament said almost nothing about Jesus's childhood. How could the Son of God have been an ordinary child? These texts filled that gap with miraculous tales that ranged from heartwarming to horrifying.Why They Were Banned:Stories of young Jesus killing playmates with a word, cursing teachers, and performing capricious miracles created serious theological problems. Church authorities worried these tales made Jesus seem petulant and dangerous rather than divine.What Makes This Edition Different:Modern English throughout- Clear, contemporary language that makes these ancient stories accessibleComplete and unabridged- All major Infancy Gospel texts in one volumeHisto