ABSTRACT
Anonymity was common, as was writing pseudonymously, especially in the first three centuries. In addition, contested identity further enriches the mix. Sometimes a writer's identity can be confirmed by the Christological stance they disclose; however, this always needs to be placed firmly within the contemporary context. What may be condemned as Nestorianism by the Western church, for example, is seen as an authentic expression of truth by Eastern Christian believers, and regional variations need to be understood. Numerous apocryphal gospels enjoyed popularity, especially prior to the establishment of a biblical canon. The five main ones, attributed to Andrew, John, Paul, Peter and Thomas, were originally anonymous and are now believed to have separate authorship during the second and third centuries. Elliot, Apocryphal particular interest to students of the Syrian ascetic tradition is that attributed to Thomas, the disciple who legend relates took Christianity to South India.
