The Book that Almost Made it into the Bible

Summary

The *Shepherd of Hermas* was a highly influential early Christian text, rediscovered in the 19th century, offering a blend of visions, mandates, and parables aimed at guiding believers toward repentance. Initially included in significant biblical manuscripts like Codex Sinaiticus, it provided moral teachings and ethical instructions that shaped early Christian life and practice. Though it doesn't explicitly reference Jesus or biblical texts, its lessons on repentance and divine judgment were highly regarded in antiquity and the Middle Ages. However, as the Christian canon solidified, the *Shepherd* gradually faded from prominence, despite its lasting impact on Christian thought and practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Constantine von Tischendorf rediscovered the Codex Sinaiticus in 1844, which is the oldest complete version of the New Testament.
• 😀 The Codex Sinaiticus includes two additional books not found in modern Bibles: The Epistle of Barnabas and The Shepherd of Hermas.
• 😀 The Shepherd of Hermas was an influential text among early Christians, used for education and spiritual guidance, even after the reign of Constantine.
• 😀 The Shepherd of Hermas consists of three sections: Visions, Mandates, and Similitudes (Parables), offering moral teachings and repentance themes.
• 😀 The text portrays a vision of a tower being constructed, with believers as stones, emphasizing repentance and transformation before the end of time.
• 😀 In the Mandates section, the Shepherd discusses virtues like sincerity, marriage, self-control, and the influence of good and evil angels.
• 😀 The Shepherd does not explicitly mention Jesus or reference the Hebrew Bible, making it stand out from other early Christian texts.
• 😀 Most scholars date the Shepherd of Hermas to the late 1st or early 2nd century and attribute it to an author named Hermas, though his identity is unclear.
• 😀 The Shepherd of Hermas was widely circulated in early Christian communities, with translations into Latin, Coptic, Arabic, and other languages.
• 😀 Despite being initially considered authoritative, the Shepherd eventually fell out of use as the New Testament canon was solidified, with some church authorities rejecting it as scripture.

Q & A

What is the Codex Sinaiticus and why is it significant?

The Codex Sinaiticus is the oldest complete version of the New Testament ever found, dating back to the mid-fourth century. It includes all 27 books of the modern New Testament, as well as two additional books not found in most Christian Bibles: the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas.

Why is the Shepherd of Hermas important in early Christianity?

The Shepherd of Hermas was a popular text in early Christianity, used to educate new Christians and incorporated into Christian rituals and teachings. It was even regarded as authoritative enough to be included in the Codex Sinaiticus, alongside the Gospels and Pauline letters.

How is the Shepherd of Hermas structured?

The Shepherd of Hermas is divided into three sections: the Visions (about one-fifth of the text), the Mandates (another one-fifth), and the Similitudes (the final three-fifths). Each section contains teachings on repentance, morality, and faith, often through allegorical visions and parables.

What are some key themes in the Shepherd of Hermas?

Key themes include repentance, the importance of moral purity, and the relationship between believers and God. The text emphasizes that individuals must be spiritually reshaped to fit into God's kingdom, symbolized by a tower. It also explores concepts of righteousness, self-control, and the influences of good and evil within a person.

What makes the Shepherd of Hermas different from other early Christian literature?

Unlike other early Christian writings, the Shepherd of Hermas does not reference Jesus explicitly or the Hebrew Bible. It focuses more on ethical teachings and personal repentance, making it distinct from the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.

When was the Shepherd of Hermas likely written, and by whom?

The Shepherd of Hermas was likely written in the late first or early second century, with most scholars attributing it to an author named Hermas. Some believe he was a former slave and a companion of Paul, although details about his identity are unclear.

How did the Shepherd of Hermas circulate among early Christian communities?

The Shepherd was written in Greek and circulated widely in early Christian communities, with translations appearing in Latin, Coptic, and other languages. It was used for moral instruction and spiritual edification, appearing in early Christian texts and codices such as the Codex Sinaiticus.

Why did the Shepherd of Hermas fall out of favor over time?

Over time, the Shepherd of Hermas fell out of favor due to increasing pressure from church authorities, who did not include it in the New Testament canon. Its lack of references to Jesus and the Hebrew Bible, as well as its unique theological perspective, may have contributed to its exclusion.

How was the Shepherd of Hermas used in Christian ritual and education?

The Shepherd was used in Christian rituals for teaching new believers and instructing them in moral conduct. Early Christian leaders, including Irenaeus, cited it as scripture, while others like Tertullian disagreed with its lenient approach to repentance.

What is the significance of the Shepherd of Hermas in Christian art?

The Shepherd of Hermas influenced early Christian art, with depictions found in the catacombs of Naples. One such depiction shows women gathering stones for the construction of the symbolic tower, representing the spiritual construction of the Church.