A Couple of 'too big' Words

Before we get too much farther into reading these texts, we need to learn another couple of big, scary words.

First: Apocrypha. These are books that were accepted broadly by early Christians and are now in the Catholic Bible, but were written after the period that early textual Judaism held was 'Biblical.'

Second: Pseudepigrapha. These are books that claim to be written by famous Biblical persons, but were pretty clearly written at a later time.

Third: Apocalyptic. Apocalypsis is Greek for uncovering. These are books that uncover - or reveal - heavenly secrets.

Last: Eschatology. Study of the 'end of times' or the end of the world.

The Book of Revelation is both Apocalyptic and Eschatalogical.

First Baruch, traditionally a scribe who worked with Jeremiah, is Apocrypha and Pseudepigraphic. It may be Eschatalogical, but is not really Apocalyptic.

Second, Third, and Fourth Baruch are Pseudepigrahic, Apocalyptic, AND Eschatalogical, but are not Apocryphal.

The terms are not that important, but are very useful...especially when I get moving too fast.

Hopefully this will help you not be so put off by these big words!