What is the New Testament Apocrypha? The Greek word apokrypha
means “hidden writings.” Clement of Alexandria uses it in this
literal sense (Stromateis 188.8.131.52). But, for the most part,
ancient Christian authors used it to refer to writings of their
opponents, which they considered spurious. Clement says that his
opponents “derived their doctrines from an apocryphal work. . .
. where they have taken a sound doctrine and perversely
misapplied it” (Stromateis 4.29). Ireneaus describes “apocryphal
writings” as texts written by his opponents “who are ignorant of
the Scriptures of truth” (Against Heresies 1.20.1). Tertullian
refused to acknowledge teachings from the Shepherd of Hermas
because it did not “find a place in the Divine canon” and “had
been habitually judged by every council of Churches. . . among
apocryphal and false (writing)” (On Modesty 10.6). The phrase
New Testament Apocrypha was not used in antiquity. Instead, it
is a modern umbrella title referring to a wide variety of
Christian texts that u