Invitation to the Apocrypha

By Daniel J. Harrington

Book Overview

Clergy Journal
"Daniel Harrington's Invitation to the Apocrypha furnishes a good and focused look at books of the Bible often either forgotten or neglected by many Protestants. . . For biblical scholars or pastors (ideally these two specialists should meet in the pulpit) this book bridges the century or so between the testaments. Well researched and well written, Invitation to the Apocrypha should provide new insight to the Christian faith. It also helps Christians appreciate the theological soil from which the New Testament sprung. This book is an excellent piece of scholarship. It fills a much needed vacuum in the biblical education of most Christians."

Society for Old Testament Study Booklist
"One of the best and most readable introductions to the books of the Apocrypha which has so far been produced."

Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Anyone familiar with the reputation of Daniel Harrington and with the current state of studies on the Apocrypha will recognize that this book represents a most fortuitous conjunction. Its author is a leading scholar in the field of early Judaism, and the Apocrypha have not had an introduction of their own since Bruce Metzger wrote An Introduction to the Apocrypha. . . This is an introductory book, designed for nonspecialists, but presenting the best of contemporary biblical scholarship. As such, it stands as a model for showing how the fruits of technical biblical studies can be applied for the benefit of the educated by nontechnical reader. "

Reviews in Religion and Theology
"As ever, Harrington writes clearly. The ground to be shown is vast. He gives succinct suggestions for further study in each section. . . This is an ideal core textbook for undergraduate courses on the Apocrypha. Its very existence should encourage more people to include these texts in their syllabus, and that would be a very good thing."

Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
"The book as a whole is to be recommended as an excellent introduction into the deuterocanonical writings and their problems."

Sewanee Theological Review
"As one would expect from Harrington, the volume is clearly written, meticulously researched, and balanced and sensible in its critical judgments. . . For anyone wishing to introduce beginning students to the Apocrypha this is just about as good a volume as one could ask. At every stage there are excellent bibliographies to guide those who would move on to further study."

Theology
"Any attempt to bring these heterogeneous writings to the attention of a wider audience is most welcome and Daniel Harrington's 'invitation' is eminently readable and his guidance sound. . . This introduction fulfills excellently what it sets out to do."

The Bible Today
"Harrington's careful scholarship and clear writing is evident throughout. Intended as a college or seminary introduction, anyone interested in the topic or in these very interesting but less known books will be richly rewarded in the reading."

New Theology Review
"The clarity, sympathy, and scholarship with which Harrington presents the apocrypha will help move these important texts from the periphery more to the center of attention on the part of those who read the Bible. This book will become an appreciated addition to the bibliography of introductory courses in biblical studies at the undergraduate and seminary levels. This is a very fine work, providing the general reader with a needed and welcome invitation to the apocrypha."

National Catholic Reporter
"Helpful for its intended audience of introductory college and seminary classes as well as readers and discussion groups who

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802846335
• ISBN13: 9780802846334
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A book that is long overdue

This book represents the first survey of the Apocrypha since Bruce metzger's Introduction to the Apocrypha in 1957. This is also the only survey of the Apocrypha that includes 3 and 4 Maccabees and Psalm 151, which are included in the Bible of the Orthodox churches. Daniel Harrington only very briefly discusses the history of the canonical status of these books; one should look elsewhere for further information on this subject. The focus of the book is a summary of each of the 18 books of the Apocrypha. Here the author does an outstanding job; providing for each book background information, a well written and thorough summary of the contents, and the significance of that book. The author is clearly knowledgeable about and familiar with these books. The author's focus on the issue of suffering in the books of the Apocrypha further adds to the value of this book. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out more about the contents of the books of the Apocrypha.