Acts 17:28, where Aratus, Phaenomena 5, is paraphrased.

Acts 26:14. The phrase "it hurts you to kick against the goad" is a Greek
proverb (see Euripides, Bacchae, 794-795).

1 Corinthians 15:33, where Paul quotes Menander, Thais, Frg.218.

Titus 1:12, where Epimenides, De oraculis/peri Chresmon is quoted.

Conclusion:

(1) An Apostle of Christ was well read in non-Christian literature.

(2) At least four times, an Apostle of Christ included quotes from pagan writers in the
New Testament

(3) Paul seemed to have no theological problem with quoting pagans, and the Holy Spirit
must have concurred.

(4) We conclude then, that sometimes a pagan will say or write something that is
useful, if not true, and that reading widely will not only not destroy your faith, but
could enhance it.

Rowland Croucher

———————————–

This is hardly revolutionary. Nor is it confined to the NT.

The October 1998 edition of "Bible review" contains a list of "lost
books of  the Bible" – ie non canonical sources quoted or referred to in the
Hebrew Scriptures (OT).Some of these references are:

The book of the Wars of Yahweh (Numbers 21:14)

The book of Jashar (Joshua 10:12-13; 2 Samuel 1:19-27; and 1 Kings 8:12-13  (LXX
version))

The chronicles of the Kings of Judah (mentioned 18 times)

The chronicles of the Kings of Israel (mentioned 18 times)

The Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)

Book of the Kings of Israel (1 Chronicles 9:1,2; 2 Chronicles 20:34)

History of Nathan the Prophet (2 Chronicles 9:29)

Visions of Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29)

About 12 months ago we had a long discussion about whether or not the author  of
Jude used another Jewish work titled "The testament (or Assumption) of
  Moses" in verse 9. Given that there are so many examples in both testaments of
biblical authors giving quotations from, and allusions to, non-canonical literature,
perhaps those who expostulated that the author of Jude 9 could not possibly have used
another source will reconsider their views.

cheers

–

N+

Nigel B. Mitchell

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• The Jesus Driven Life
• Paul: ‘inspired’? What does that mean?
• 25 LISTS OF EVERYTHING INTERESTING/IMPORTANT
• Miracles and the Virgin Birth etc.

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