Over the past century, numerous lost scriptures have been discovered, authenticated, translated, debated, celebrated. Many of these documents were as important to shaping early Christian communities and beliefs as what we have come to call the New Testament; these were not the work of shunned sects or rebel apostles, not alternative histories or doctrines, but part of the vibrant conversations that sparked the rise of Christianity. These scriptures are rarely read in contemporary churches, but are discussed mainly by scholars. Yet we have a great deal to gain by placing them back into contact with the twenty-seven books of the traditional New Testament--by hearing, finally, the full range of voices that formed the early chorus of Christians. To create this New New Testament, Hal Taussig called together a council of scholars and spiritual leaders to discuss and reconsider which books belong in the New Testament. They chose ten books, presented here alongside the traditional scriptures in the new Open English Bible translation.--From publisher description.