The Other Bible by Willis Barnstone

The Other Bible

by Willis Barnstone

Paperback
742 pages
(May 1984)
Harper San Francisco
ISBN: 0062500309

Bookshelf Categories

Christian Mysticism

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Synopsis:

Gathered here for the first time in one comprehensive volume are excerpted ancient holy texts from Judeo-Christian traditions that were excluded from the official canon of the Old and New Testaments. The Other Bible is a unique sourcebook of essential selections from Jewish Psudepigrapha, early Kabbalah, Haggadah, Midrash, Christian Apocrypha, and Gnostic scriptures.

The Other Bible provides a rare opportunity to discover the poetic and narrative riches of this long-suppressed literature and experience firsthand its visionary discourses on the nature of God, humanity, the spiritual life, the world around us, and infinite worlds beyond this one.

Reviews:

THE BEST BIBLE

1/22/2001

Reviewer: protennoia STOCKBRIDGE, GA United States

With the diverse Gnostic texts, added to new christian writings of the disciples, gives good reason to call it The Other Bible. These scriptures should be selected and added to the King James. Wonder if someone could put the Sophia of Jesus Christ in there as well. The Gnostic content is a gold mine of knowledge lost down thru the ages because of the worldwide accepted King James version. Read along with "The Nag Hammadi Library". Some of the same books are in this book, but I found them easier to understand reading from the Other Bible. This book is easy reading even with missing pieces. Those who have been awakened by the Logos to Gnosis should diligently study these scrolls. The scrolls were not touched by human hands for 2,000 years. Original insight to early Kabbalah, treasure of prophecies, accounts of how the world was called into existence, and events preceding the creation

a great addition

1/7/2001

Reviewer: mark from las cruces, nm usa

this is a great book if you want to research the various judaisms and christianities of the ancient world. however, being the prude that I am, i would like to correct another review of this book. concepts such as martyrdom,resurection, purgatory, praying for the dead, and other "pagan" practices can be found can be found in the biblical book of 2Maccabees, a Pharasaic work written a few generations after the Maccabean revolt.These ideas are apart of catholic christianity because christianity(Jesus)came out of the same hellenistic diasporic Jewish matrix as the Pharisees. Anywho, if there is any problem with this book, it is that those who are seeking inspiration or spirituality find this as an alternative or as supressed truths. Supressed? yes, some, many centuries after they were written by the emporer, others were simply thrown out. It does'nt have all of the gnostic works, but it does provide an excellent translation of the dead Sea Scrolls and it should be considered a great resource book.

A difinitive alternative Bible

7/16/2000

Reviewer: Roy from Dothan, AL USA

Most typical scriptures that many hear about touch on the writings in this book and sometimes even refer to them (Secret of Enoch). If you feel that there are holes in the traditional canon of today, these fill them splendidly. They helped me see that there is more to God than we previously imagined. It is a real eye-opener and I give it full merits for Barnstone's endeavors.

It gives readers a sense of knowledge and understanding of what they presently know. A definite compendium on the whole spectrum of Christianity and Gnostic beliefs. These "Lost Books" gave me alot of insight into the true meaning of Christain belief.

The only problem with it is that there are some writings in this book that others would not agree with or refuse on the basis of that it is not similar to what they already know. Read it with an open mind and heart. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Such books are becoming more and more available which can be searched on Amazon.com.

Excellent and exhaustive

6/28/2000

Reviewer: A reader from USA

I absolutely love this book; it is a great source of faniciful stories, and enhances my appreciation for the canonical NT. The only flaw to this massive work is that it far too often includes only excerpts. However, this is a great intro to the subject of "Alternative" Scripture and if an excerpt intrigues you, Amazon.com is there to help you find a complete copy!

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THE BEST BIBLE	1/22/2001
Reviewer: protennoia STOCKBRIDGE, GA United States
With the diverse Gnostic texts, added to new christian writings of the disciples, gives good reason to call it The Other Bible. These scriptures should be selected and added to the King James. Wonder if someone could put the Sophia of Jesus Christ in there as well. The Gnostic content is a gold mine of knowledge lost down thru the ages because of the worldwide accepted King James version. Read along with "The Nag Hammadi Library". Some of the same books are in this book, but I found them easier to understand reading from the Other Bible. This book is easy reading even with missing pieces. Those who have been awakened by the Logos to Gnosis should diligently study these scrolls. The scrolls were not touched by human hands for 2,000 years. Original insight to early Kabbalah, treasure of prophecies, accounts of how the world was called into existence, and events preceding the creation

a great addition	1/7/2001
Reviewer: mark from las cruces, nm usa
this is a great book if you want to research the various judaisms and christianities of the ancient world. however, being the prude that I am, i would like to correct another review of this book. concepts such as martyrdom,resurection, purgatory, praying for the dead, and other "pagan" practices can be found can be found in the biblical book of 2Maccabees, a Pharasaic work written a few generations after the Maccabean revolt.These ideas are apart of catholic christianity because christianity(Jesus)came out of the same hellenistic diasporic Jewish matrix as the Pharisees. Anywho, if there is any problem with this book, it is that those who are seeking inspiration or spirituality find this as an alternative or as supressed truths. Supressed? yes, some, many centuries after they were written by the emporer, others were simply thrown out. It does'nt have all of the gnostic works, but it does provide an excellent translation of the dead Sea Scrolls and it should be considered a great resource book.

Excellent and exhaustive	6/28/2000
Reviewer: A reader from USA
I absolutely love this book; it is a great source of faniciful stories, and enhances my appreciation for the canonical NT. The only flaw to this massive work is that it far too often includes only excerpts. However, this is a great intro to the subject of "Alternative" Scripture and if an excerpt intrigues you, Amazon.com is there to help you find a complete copy!