Which Books Are in The Great Rejected Texts? Contents, Enoch, and Where to Start

Joseph Lumpkin's Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts contains eighteen printed writings arranged in three sections, including First and Second Enoch. Third Enoch is offered separately through the accompanying Reader Library. Use the verified contents and page references below to distinguish the printed anthology from its digital extras.

Looking for the book itself? See our Lost Books of the Bible edition for the contents, edition identifiers, and purchase options.

The title can attract readers with quite different interests: Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, biblical interpretation, apocalyptic visions, or questions about how scripture is defined. Knowing the actual contents makes it much easier to decide whether the book fits the question you want to investigate.

Which eighteen texts are included, and where do they begin?

Joseph B. Lumpkin's Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts, ISBN 9781933580661, contains eighteen works arranged in three sections. The following starting pages were checked against the contents page and the corresponding section openings in the October 8, 2026 paperback interior.

These are the beginnings of each work's section, including its introduction or historical discussion where provided. The translated text may begin several pages later.

Section	Work	Section begins
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The First Book of Adam and Eve	10
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The Second Book of Adam and Eve	64
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The First Book of Enoch	87
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The Second Book of Enoch (Secrets of Enoch)	183
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The Book of Jubilees	217
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The Book of Jasher	305
Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament	The Story of Ahikar	543
Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days	The Apocalypse of Abraham	579
Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days	The Apocalypse of Thomas	600
Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days	4 Ezra	606
Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days	2 Baruch	644
Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days	The War Scroll	681
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	The Gospel of Philip	727
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	The Gospel of Mary Magdalene	746
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	The Apocryphon of John	751
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	The Gospel of Thomas	768
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	The Gospel of Judas	800
Lost Scriptures of the New Testament	Acts Chapter 29	817

The general introduction begins on page 5, the introduction to the apocalyptic writings on page 577, and the introduction to Gnosticism on page 698. These introductory sections are additional reading aids, not extra works counted among the eighteen.

Does this edition include all three books of Enoch?

The printed anthology contains First Enoch and Second Enoch. Their sections begin on pages 87 and 183 respectively. Third Enoch is offered separately among the digital Reader Library extras described on the paperback cover; it is not one of the eighteen printed works.

For readers comparing editions, distinguish what is printed in the volume from what is available through its accompanying library. The same distinction applies to The Book of Giants, which the cover lists as an additional digital reading.

Are the Reader Library extras part of the eighteen printed texts?

The cover of Joseph B. Lumpkin's The Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts distinguishes eighteen printed texts from additional digital readings and study guides available through the included Reader Library.

The printed collection is organized under three headings: Lost Scriptures of the Old Testament; Apocalyptic Writings and the End of Days; and Lost Scriptures of the New Testament. The cover highlights Adam and Eve, Enoch, Jubilees, Jasher, and the gospels of Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and Judas among the subjects readers will encounter.

The cover separately names six Reader Library extras: The Book of Giants, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, The Third Book of Enoch, Apocalypse of Peter, The Testament of Solomon, and Protoevangelium of James. These are presented as additional digital readings beyond the eighteen printed texts. Follow the access instructions inside the book to begin using the library.

When comparing this edition with another collection, compare the printed contents first, then consider the additional digital material. The cover's larger library offer should not be read as a claim that all of those resources are printed in this volume.

The interior's Reader Library instructions are on page 821. Use the instructions and access code in your copy.

How are the text and commentary distinguished?

Check the instructions for the particular work you are reading. For the First Book of Adam and Eve, page 11 explains that notes and references are italicized and alternate words or phrases appear in parentheses. The Gospel of Thomas has its own conventions: page 770 explains the sequence of Coptic-based and Greek-based renderings, biblical parallels, and author notes. Its sayings begin on page 772.

This means that a biblical comparison printed beneath a Thomas saying is a reading aid, not another saying in Thomas. Likewise, an editor's explanation should be identified as commentary when quoting or discussing the book.

Edition reference: Joseph B. Lumpkin, Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts, ISBN 9781933580661, October 8, 2026 paperback interior, pp. 2–3, the eighteen section-opening pages listed above, 11, 770–772, and 821; accompanying paperback cover for the named digital extras. Page references identify this paperback layout; pagination may differ in other formats.

Is this the same as a Bible with the Apocrypha?

No. Do not assume that an anthology called Lost Books of the Bible supplies the same contents as a Bible labeled “with Apocrypha,” or that it represents the complete canon of a particular church.

Terminology depends on context. The Orthodox Church in America's explanation of its canon, for example, identifies books such as Tobit and Judith as part of its longer Old Testament canon. That is a statement about a church's scriptures. It is different from the editorial contents of this eighteen-text anthology.

If you are buying a Bible for worship or a course requiring a particular canon, start with that requirement. If you want to explore the eighteen writings listed above, evaluate this anthology on its contents and editorial approach.

This distinction prevents a common disappointment: purchasing a substantial book that does not contain the specific text you needed.

Were all these writings “removed from the Bible”?

The title should not be interpreted as a universal historical explanation for all works. Before questioning why a book was excluded, determine the specific religious community, time period, and scripture collection you are referring to. Lumpkin's Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts provides introductions to each book, aiding readers in understanding the historical and spiritual context of these works.

A writing can circulate outside a community's accepted scriptures without having first belonged to one universally agreed Bible. A book may also have a different status in different traditions. The history of a particular text therefore needs its own evidence.

As you read, separate three questions: Does the writing survive? What does it say? What authority did a particular community give it? The answers need not be the same for each of the eighteen works.

You do not have to settle a theological judgment about inspiration before beginning a historical comparison. Reading gives you a better basis for identifying what needs to be explained.

What can you explore beyond the contents list?

Choose a work connected with your main question. Our Lost Books reading guide provides verified starting pages and practical routes through Enoch, Adam and Eve, Thomas, and the apocalyptic writings.

Does this anthology contain the Book of Giants or the complete Dead Sea Scrolls?

The Book of Giants is not one of the eighteen printed works; the paperback cover lists it among the additional digital Reader Library readings. First Enoch contains material about giants, but that is distinct from the work called the Book of Giants. For a focused printed edition, compare Joseph Lumpkin’s Book of Giants.

The War Scroll is included, but the anthology should not be treated as a complete collection of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Inclusion of one named work establishes that work’s presence, not the presence of an entire manuscript library.

The same principle applies to the gospels in the third section. Their inclusion does not make this a complete collection of every noncanonical gospel. The reliable answer to “Is a particular writing included?” begins with the actual contents of the identified edition.

How can you compare overlapping books before buying?

Use the ISBN to identify the edition, then compare the named works. The Great Rejected Texts, ISBN 9781933580661, offers breadth across eighteen writings and includes First and Second Enoch. The Books of Enoch paperback, ISBN 9781936533077, focuses on First, Second, and Third Enoch. The Book of Giants, ISBN 9781936533497, addresses the Giants material and its relationship to Enoch.

If you already own the anthology, a separate Enoch collection is most relevant when you want Third Enoch or the focused edition’s commentary and presentation. If your question concerns the Giants fragments, use the Giants comparison guide to understand that volume’s scope. Page count alone is a poor substitute for this comparison.

Where should a beginner start?

Begin on page 87 for First Enoch, page 10 for Adam and Eve, page 768 for the Gospel of Thomas, or page 577 for an introduction to the apocalyptic writings. Read the relevant introduction before the text. Follow our four-session reading plan for a manageable route.

Who is The Great Rejected Texts best suited to?

It is a practical candidate for readers who want the listed eighteen works available together and who value a volume combining texts with commentary. It also offers a way to discover which individual writings deserve more focused study.

Readers who need a specific critical edition, a complete denominational Bible, or all three Enoch books should check those requirements separately. Knowing the anthology's scope makes its strengths easier to use.

Fifth Estate Publishing offers this volume. View the selected edition of The Great Rejected Texts.

Frequently asked questions

Does The Great Rejected Texts contain 3 Enoch?

The printed anthology includes First and Second Enoch. Third Enoch is offered separately among the digital Reader Library extras listed on the paperback cover; it is not one of the eighteen printed works.

Does it contain the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas?

Yes. Both are included in the published contents of the selected edition, ISBN 9781933580661.

Is it the same book as The Lost Books of the Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden?

Do not assume that similarly named anthologies are identical. The edition discussed here is Joseph Lumpkin's The Great Rejected Texts, identified by ISBN 9781933580661. Compare the contents and editor of any other volume.

Do I have to read the eighteen works in order?

No. Start with a writing connected to your main question, read its introduction, and keep its setting and literary form distinct from the other works.

For a focused alternative, see our Book of Enoch edition comparison.

To explore additional ancient texts alongside this anthology, visit Adrian Hills’s TheoDoor Project. Check each file’s source and translator when comparing passages. Read our TheoDoor research guide or browse the original collection. Shared with creator Adrian Hills’s permission.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Joseph Lumpkin's Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts serves as an essential anthology for those interested in exploring lesser-known writings. The collection provides a unique opportunity to delve into texts that have shaped various religious and philosophical landscapes. By understanding the context and content of these writings, readers can gain deeper insights into the historical and spiritual dimensions of faith.

Whether you are a spiritual seeker or a philosophy enthusiast, this anthology offers valuable resources for your journey. The commentary included enhances your reading experience, making complex ideas more accessible.

As you navigate through the eighteen texts, remember to approach each with curiosity and an open mind. This will enrich your understanding and appreciation of these ancient works.