Categorization of Religious Texts in Early Christianity

The chapter explores the categorization of texts in early Christianity, discussing the distinction between canonical texts for public worship and popular Christian texts for private reading. It touches on various ancient texts like the Shepherd of Hermas, Epistle of Barnabas, and the Acts of different apostles, highlighting their theological influences, preservation at monastic settlements, and their significance alongside the Bible. The conversation also includes insights on the role of writings from church fathers, criticisms of discussing extra-canonical texts, and the contrasting views within Roman Catholicism and Protestantism on interpreting religious texts.