On 8 April 2016 at 16.00, in the conference hall of the Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Latvia (Kalpaka bulvāris 4, 2nd floor), the Faculty of Theology of the University of Latvia, the Library of the University of Latvia, and the Latvian Bible Society are holding the launch of the books “The Epistle of Barnabas” and “The Gospel of Peter. The Apocalypse of Peter”. These are texts of the first centuries of Christianity translated from Ancient Greek.
The translators are the dean of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Latvia, associate professor Dace Balode (who is also a member of the Association of Latvian Lutheran Women Theologians), assistant professor Jānis Rudzītis-Neimanis and master’s student Ņikita Andrejevs. The cover designer is Agata Muze.
The books are published thanks to the financial support of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia Abroad for the project “Translation and Publication of Early Christian Literature Texts.”
After the publication of the translation of the Gospel of Thomas (2014), this is the next step in publishing the Latvian translations of early Christian texts. Attempts to define correct / incorrect behaviour in the form of a list of commands and prohibitions, to seek hidden spiritual wisdom in the sacred texts, to depict vivid scenes of hell — these are just a few of the storylines found in these texts, which reflect the notions of the early Christians. Many of the themes touched on in these texts are still within the scope of Christian ethical and theological discussions.
Source: press release of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Latvia
Photo: University of Latvia, Faculty of Theology