A Gospel of the Eleven - The Epistula Apostolorum and the Johannine Tradition

A perceived inadequacy in existing post-resurrection narratives seems to have inspired the second-century author of the Epistula Apostolorum to compose a comprehensive post-resurrection dialogue. In this—after securing with some difficulty their acceptance that he is truly alive—Jesus answers his disciples’ wide-ranging questions mainly about issues of eschatology and mission. Also present in this text are retrospective summaries of his descent from the heavenly world and his earthly career. While this important though neglected text may usefully be classified with works in a similar format, from Nag Hammadi and elsewhere, its primary affinities are with the traditions of Jesus’ earthly career reflected in Matthew, Luke, and especially John. In particular, the Johannine account of Easter Day and its aftermath provides the author not so much with a normative exemplar as with a source that he exploits freely and critically to develop his proto-orthodox theological agenda.