Do you use
Early Christian Writings or
Early Jewish Writings? Would you like to see an improvement of some kind--aesthetic, navigational, functional, or content-wise? Now is the time to be heard! I am devoting most of the next 6 weeks to providing an overhaul of these two popular sites. And I want to hear any suggestions about what you want, big or small. Please think about how you use the site, how that could be better, and what use you could get out of it that isn't even there now.
My brother-in-law is a graphic designer (who is not responsible for any of the ugliness currently on the site!), and I am quite good with web programming. (Update for those who saw the last design: I made some modifications to the graphics and layout to make
this new template--and don't be alarmed by the absence of a JavaScript menu, it can be added in. Also I am asking for much more than feedback on the look of the site.) Indeed, the one definite thing that I am going to do with the two website is to have them generated by a database (i.e., for each document, there would be entries for the translations associated with that document, the ancient language versions of that document, off-site informational pages on that document, on-site informational pages on that document, books on that document, various information on that document, and other related content--images, visitor comments, cross-references to other texts, whatever). This would allow me to do "touch once, change everywhere" design of the site--if you convince me to change the layout of a page, I could do it by changing a bit of code rather than editing a bunch of different HTML files. What does this mean for the end user? Just that I have a lot of time, skill, and dedication that will implement your suggestion (either in
a comment in this blog, in your own blog [why not give a link to it in a comment?], or in
an e-mail to me). Basically, your wish is my command.
295 Comments:
I will make the first comment here.
Among the things I want to do are:
* Give it an attractive look, with graphics, but not too heavy on download time. I have a mockup of one design that could be used.
* Improve navigation. Currently the (conjectural) chronology is prominent. There is also one page with an alphabetical index. The new method is a categorical index, as can be seen in the JavaScript menu (seen here). How to include two or three of these types of navigation is an open question.
* Make minor improvements, like including information on how to cite a particular translation of a document.
* Flesh out the "Information" sections. Suggestions?
And anything else that looks doable.
best,
Peter Kirby
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I absolutely love your site. I am a regular poster on Beliefnet and these pages continually. I think the scholarship here is excellent, and I always cite your address whenever I use things (to expand your user base and give you the props you deserve). If I can think of anyway to improve it I'll let you know.
Under theories of the Historical Jesus, you might want to add Tom Harpur's name under the Jesus Myth.. see The Pagan Christ
More original texts! I could help...
cweb255 - http://neonostalgia.com/bible/forums
WOW!! My dad was New Testament scholar. I LOVE this site!!
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content's great. just make it look professional and sweet is all. maybe a database-driven website using PHP or something? i dunno. no advertisements, also. anyway, biggest thing is just make it look professional and sweet. again, content is great... maybe add more writings more frequently? again, just a professional-looking site is all i really want to see as far as improvement goes.
An index of biblical verses would be incredibly helpful, though also difficult, I know.
I just wanted to say I think it's fabulous that you have these writings available online. Thank you so much, and may Yahweh richly bless you!
Donna
suffering in jonah
Please put up the Gospel of the Savior and the Gospel of Judas (if you can). I'd really love to see these on here. Great site!!!
film strips, video's and/or other visual helps
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Would it be possible to arrange the works by literary genre on a separate page?
Wikipedia's New Testament apocrypha articles could do with filling in/being created.
www.wikipedia.org
update it
hi
great site, frequent visitor!
I like the simple layout but non-techies might prefer something more colourful ;)
A place to suggest new texts?
Should all of Nag Hammadi included?
A forum would be interesting feature
Perhaps having the texts in table format, with extra columns, eg Orthadox/Gnostic/Secular
thanks for the site
Martin
I visit the site frequently.
It might be nice to have alternative means of navigation depending on why one visits. I come for help with preaching material. My prefered method is to find all materials relating to a particular (canonical)text. Those with a more scholarly purpose might want to use the chronological table. If not too labor intensive others might want to navigate towards a more devotional purpose. You have MASSIVE amounts of material and the more ways to get at it the better.
Bob Beckman
I heard reference to the Eulogy of Joseph given by Jesus at his earthly fathers death. Any Idea where to find it?
Thanks
Stu
It would be great if you could add Latin titles for each of the works of Philo, or a separate page with Latin titles. When someone is using TLG and would like to look at the English Text, it would be helpful to have a way for someone with no knowledge of Latin to be able to look quickly to find the corresponding book on your site.
I have told our students at Gordon-Conwell about your site, and they love it. The Latin/English issue is a problem, as we are a Protestant seminary that seems to devalue the language (except in our Church History dept).
Also, if you could somehow tag each paragraph number in the Philo set so that others may link to a specific paragraph on your page it would be helpful.
Thanks Peter, for a fantastic site!
~Jim Darlack
Goddard Library
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
I love the site. The only thing I'd change would be the heading graphic with the link options on it. I browsed the site for a months before I realized there was more content than what was displayed on the main page. Also, I've seen in books an 'Ethiopian Gospel of Gamaliel'. Its not 'early' but it is apocryphal. Keep up the good work.
Shep - slouchingpoet@hotmail.com
I wan't thank you, for this amazing web...
I search for Armenian infancy gospel, and 5 Macc.,
Robert from lithuania.
Thank you so much for your work here! Wouldn't it be nice if we could do a word search across selected the texts?
Hi,
Can I just take this opportunity to tell you how much I have enjoyed your site. I have spent many evenings over the past year studying its content and have really enjoyed it. It is a first class piece of work
Well done
i have a question...
there is a gospel called gospel of barnabas.in that gospel jesus is reported to have predicted the coming of mohammed.
now christians claim that the gospel of barnabas is a forgery and date that gospel to 13th century.
is it true?
What I would like to know is, who are you? What is your background? What sorts of credentials do you have? There are many groups who publish similar pages with agendas to perpetuate their faith, or scientific studies, or whatnot...A bit of an intro as to who you are and basis of your knowledge would be nice.
This is only a minor causmetic change, but maybe move the search feature to the top of the page instead of the bottom. I know a lot of people (myself at least) are more inclined to do a search before doing a browse. That way, it'd be right at the top for us to click on and use.
jgrfprjghlsgggrtezohfkzyrgvdllfuvgbxkkvj
what are important of aprocryphal to biblical history
i think with all these books you should publish
Would it be possible to produce audible recordings of these Early Christian writings and make the recordings available for sale via MP3 download or sale on CDs? Many of us don't have time to read anymore, and would find an audible collection extremely useful and enjoyable. Many of these surviving manuscripts are short, and you could put collections together on a single CD for sale to scholars, students, and the "hobbyist" like myself. (Perhaps group them by century, geographic area, or topic) There really isn't anybody out there doing this. The production quality doesn't have to be great.
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pliny
I would like to see Christian websites put a warning on their ordering page that if a person is maxed out on the credit cards - then they should send a check or M/O or use PayPal. Usury is a sin an the owners of a website shouldn't be aiding the banks in taking $18 billion a year from the Body of Messiah in interest payments.
That's what I will do on my website later this year (2005).
Your Servant,
Rabbi David Miller
Book of Zohar.....
Peter, the look and feel are very clean and easy to use. More graphics would only spoil it. Your scholarship and presentation are an inspiration to us lesser mortals. It's a tribute to your thoroughness that it is so difficult to make useful concrete suggestions.
passover
passover
First of all I want to thank you creating this site. I have used these writings to strengthen my faith and the faith of others! This is a big request, but a search engine that could be used to search for words or topics within the letters would be more than useful.
On another note...Is this the same Peter Kirby from West Valley Christian Church in Woodland Hills, Ca? I used to be a student at this school..my name is Larry Hill
i think you are doing great! i have probably referred thousands to your web site. thanks for all your hard work
Max at knowhowto.net
Text search of all documents for words.
When was the Apocrypha deleted from the original King James translation?
Bill at: brpvicco39@yahoo.com
shouldn't there be an access to an encyclopedia? right now I have been looking for ways to understand the meanings of "mystic" or the religious origin(s) of those meanings. I know there is an access to the Jewish encyclopedia in your papers on Job. shouldn't this access or a similar access be more visible ?
Dear Peter,
I think you ought to market behind Bathed by Light on lulu.
This is an audio of "The Gospel of Truth" and many would be pleased to be able to more deeply research what may be brand new to them.
Take a look/listen: http://lulu.com/bathedbylight
And publish here yourself!
I am promoting Dottor Ov'man online
Rosemarie
Could writings be set in chronological order?
I am trying to discern which great writer, Calvin or John Chrysondom is closer to the teaching,traditions and practices of the apostles and disciples.? Did they have a mass and a transubstantiated eucharist or a meeing and a meal of remembrance? Did they speak in tongues. Were their priest or preachers?
aetius@email.com
poo
peter is a batty
Keep up the good work!
Peter, what information do you have on the Essene Gospel of Peace? All I've heard so far was something about 3rd century mansuscripts. Let's see if we can get something up here. If you want, I could help. Either way...
http://neonostalgia.com/bible/forums/viewtopic.php?p=246#246
this is an awesome collection of early writings. And don't be surpised if you find them more true than what we are "allowed" to have according to the control freak churches. Jesus offered total freedom, Thomas is certainly our savior teaching, he taught it all to me in his Holy Spirit "before I ever read it", when I read it I about fell over. I understood all the metaphores except a couple and since then those have been revealed to me as well. The Kingdom "God/Jesus" is within you not above in the sky or below in the sea.
Also, my spit heals.
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I am looking for a older book by King with the simple name of "Gnostics,". This book supposedly has some pictures of the Arc of the Covanent. The discussion is regarding the Charebs.
Wally
bim82@vippn.com
1 8 05
Hi there,
I don't know if you consider this Jewish but I believe it is as it was written by Jews predominantly (a Syrian too). It is the Peshitta New Testament. Not only was it written by Jews, it is also in Aramaic, rather than Greek.
It is freely available on my website at http://www.aramaicpeshitta.com which has lots of other free stuff you are welcome to use.
Regards,
Christopher Lancaster
peshitta_enthusiast@hotmail.com
I haven't checked the other comments, but I like the set-up a lot. It'd be nice if we could get groupings other than proposed chronological order, such as grouping the canon together, grouping Gnostic documents together, grouping Church Father documents, then non-Biblical accounts of Jesus, etc. I think it'd also be nice for beginners to have a "basics of scholarship" type-thing, explaining the formation of the canon and whatnot, though I suppose that's already done to an extent in the Q part. Keep up the good work, Mr. Kirby!
I should start by saying how much I use your site and enjoy it before I submit my suggestion. I am keen that you do not view this as a critisism.
It would be nice if when looking at the list of documents, if we could see clearly what catagory the document is most understood to belong to. For example, could we have all canon books in green, all gnostic texts in blue, all missing texts in brown ... whatever ... this way it would be easier to find teh type of text that you are interested in.
Once again - great site.
I should start by saying how much I use your site and enjoy it before I submit my suggestion. I am keen that you do not view this as a critisism.
It would be nice if when looking at the list of documents, if we could see clearly what catagory the document is most understood to belong to. For example, could we have all canon books in green, all gnostic texts in blue, all missing texts in brown ... whatever ... this way it would be easier to find teh type of text that you are interested in.
Once again - great site.
How about Early Christian Writings on the aplicability of letters as christian doctrine such as Judas' which contain so much mixture of judaism and christianity.
St. Thomas
I just wanted to say that I think that this is an excellent site. Thank you for setting up and maintaining it. Best of luck with the overhaul.
Justin Meggitt, Institute of Continuing Education, Cambridge University
I wish to read a bit on Religious formation according to the church fathers
WHAT DID THE WRITINGS SAY ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
Wow! Thank you.
If there is a way to have individual works'likely dates accessible, that would be helpful. Origen, in particular.
I could not access Christianorigns.com.
Are any of the following available in Large Print? 1. Psoidepigrapha, Deaterocanon, Phio of Alexandria. Charles L. Schell. clschell@progressivetel.com
Indeed, your site is a most valuable resource (I've even cited the e-Catena in my thesis bibliography). In terms of layout, I actually rather like the rather clutter-free one that you have now; it loads very quickly and is easy to navigate. I understand, though, why some might want bells and whistles (or color, at least!) and something that would maken it more attractive.
I would say that since the e-Catena is in itself sucha valuable reference, it merits a more prominent link, so I suppose I can suggest that much. It would be great to see it updated further (or is this still being done?).
Anyhoo, ***thanks*** for all of your effort in compiling this site!
Matt F
OK, I looked at your template, and I must admit, it's brilliant. Bring it on! (:->
It seems that this page have a problem
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/josephus/war-3.htm
I would like to recommend the addition of the following two books:1. The Gospel of the Holy Twelve.(http://www.thenazareneway.com/ght_table_of_contents.htm)
2. The Essene Gospel of Peace: Book One (http://www.thenazareneway.com/essene_gospel_of_peace_book1.htm)
A topical reference index would be an outstanding help. Topics might include certain doctrines like the trinity, or sections dealing with Church councils...
The National Christian Association thinks the site is tremendous, an inspiration to students of Scripture. It is common to "improve" a thing until it is no longer easy to use. Keep like it is. www.nationalchristianassociation.com Jan 2005
I am a scholar of Christian and religious arcana and I find your site informative and useful. Keep up the great work!
Mad Doctor Tom
i congratulate you because this is one of the best website on the internet around the world. I have found problems with one of doveness and with rumor mill news . yours is mor original, sincere and subjected to God the most high. Personally i have doubts about the name of God is Yahweh, I could be wrong, but your website is unique.
thanks, totomtothe2@yahoo.com
How about a search engine. Everything else is great.
Cheers,
Clarice O'C
For a site called "Early Christian Writings" my request may be a bit oxymoronic, but here goes--I'd like a section on the oral gospel!!
P.S. Thanks so much for your site, I spend many happy hours on it.
I have bought your CD and am very pleased. One little bitty huge thing: how about a word search capability across all the texts? I am doing an analysis of 'Hell' and all its subtexts including the Hebrew word Sheol, Gehenna, Hades, etc. I would love to find other references from ALL the texts.
Jay Simpson
first timothy
Incredable site. Interested in esoteric commentary:
Philo of Alexandria, which you've done. Also
Gershom Scholem.
Can you please add a search component to this web site to search these texts?
Carpocrates
Looking for the style of Hebrew letter forms used in Torah 100 BC to 100 AD or BCE CE if you prefer
k
josephus on Philo
josephus on Philo
I think a search engine capability would be great. For example, I am studying the anointing oil and the office of the High Priest. Wouldn't it be great if I could type in "anointing oil" and instantly search the entire earlyjewishwritings Web site for that phrase.
my comment is i dontl ike you
my comment is i dontl ike you
I THINK IF YOU HAD SEARCH ENGINES IT WOULD ENHANCE STUDYING YOUR MATERIAL AND WOULD MAKE IT MORE VALUABLE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. ALSO, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED.
BARRY HOROWITZ
excellent website, I wrote earlier (josh.belcher@gmail.com) a search engine would be good too.
I want to understand why some texts cite SibOr 2, 73 as a source for the appearance of arsenokoites. josh.belcher@gmail.com
Is there a book by Noah? If so, where can I obtain a copy?
Including each text in its original language along with its English translation would be amazing. In your Dead Sea Scroll Section you could include photographs of the actual scrolls/fragments of the material along with the Block Hebrew text and the English translation. Did I mention that I love this site?
thank you for the site, I would ask if you would arrange the books under their headings in either chronological or alphabetical order. that would be wonderful.
thank you-religion major at dickinson college
Peter - I love this site, as well as the earlier ecw site. Some of the links you provide, though, have been disabled, such as the English translation for 2 Baruch. I did find a version at http://tcoto.klaxo.net/apo/pseudo/2baruch.htm.
Michael Compton (at University of Richmond)
mcompto2@richmond.edu
I'd love to have a search facility, either for all the texts or for a subset. Of course its use is limited by the fact that these are all in translation, but it would be very useful nevertheless.
Tech@Tyndale.cam.ac.uk
Ugg- when I posted my comment, I thought it went to you as an email, not as a blog. Please remove my email from where spam spiders can find it. Many thanks. (Tech@Tyndale....)
PENIS
PENIS
PENIS
Thanks for the fabulous site! I just noticed that your link to the on-line text for Jubilees no longer works.
Hi - thanks for this and your Early Christian Writings site! I've long wanted to read the hebrew scriptures and other relevant texts in the order they were written, as you've done with the ECWs. I know this is difficult, given the many author/editor/redactor voices in these texts, and would love some guidance - are there sources that propose to organize these chronologically, and perhaps discuss the challenges of dating them? Please feel free to email me at hookom@yahoo.com
Hi there,
I am on your CD waiting list and return often.
Wanted to know what happened to the listing for the Book of Enoch by R H Charles - will it be on the CD for instance?
Thank you
William Drysdale
whd@mountaincable.net
Is anyone currently taking care of this site? I was interested in purchasing CD's offered, but the link on "Ancient Writings" is not active. Thanks, Pam
we want to here about lilith
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.
17/March 2005.
Asking for asssistance and permission and all needed help for what is needed by requested.
Contact;la Saunders
Address;#1393,york ave,ny ny 10021.
in the website page. thank you.