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Chapter 18

Chapter 18. Continuing the Pauline Tradition: 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Clement, and the Epistle of Barnabas. Key Topics/Themes. Letters written in Paul’s name after his death 2 Thessalonians: reinterpretation of Pauline eschatology

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Chapter 18

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  1. Chapter 18 Continuing the Pauline Tradition: 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Clement, and the Epistle of Barnabas ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  2. Key Topics/Themes • Letters written in Paul’s name after his death • 2 Thessalonians: reinterpretation of Pauline eschatology • Colossians: Jesus Christ as cosmic power living within the believer • Ephesians: Jew and Gentile united in one church ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  3. Key Topics (cont’d.) • Pastorals: warnings against heresy; importance of adhering to established church tradition • 1 Clement and Barnabas: methods of church organization; interpreting the Hebrew Bible ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  4. Six Disputed Pauline Letters • 2 Thessalonians • Colossians • Ephesians • 1 Timothy • 2 Timothy • Titus ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  5. The Problem of Pseudonymity • The disputed Pauline letters not “forgeries” • Common for disciples to compose works perpetuating their masters’ thoughts • Practice known as pseudonymity • Common in Hellenistic Judaism and in early Christianity ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  6. Second Letter to the Thessalonians • A different eschatology from 1 Thessalonians • Eschatology at the core of disputes about authenticity of 2 Thessalonians • Persecutors of Thessalonian Christians will soon taste God’s wrath • Punishment of the wicked may not be imminent ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  7. Placing the Second Coming in Perspective • The apocalyptic signs that will precede the Parousia of Christ • The final rebellion against God’s rule • Appearance of the “wicked man” • Withdrawal of the “Restrainer” • Traditional (non-Pauline?) signs of the end ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  8. Letter to the Colossians • A small town • Church founded by Paul’s associate Epaphras • Purpose and organization • Christ is superior to all other cosmic powers • Receiving Christ’s indwelling Spirit initiates Christians into Christ’s mystery cult ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  9. Christ, Source of Cosmic Unity • Jesus as the mediator of creation • Mystical initiation into Christ • Obligations of initiation: living a pure and upright life ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  10. Letter to the Ephesians • The case of Ephesians as pseudonymous • Date and organization • God’s plan of salvation through the united body of Christ (1:3-3:21) • Instructions for living in the world (4:1-6:20) ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  11. The Pastorals: Letters to Timothy and Titus • Most scholars: these letters post-Pauline • Author called the “Pastor” because he gives pastoral advice to ostensible recipients, Timothy and Titus • Stresses teaching as the norm for Christian ministry • Stresses firm opposition to false teaching ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  12. 1 Timothy • Attacking false teachings (heresies) • Qualifications for church offices • Rankings within the church membership reflect social order of secular Hellenistic culture • Role of women ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  13. 2 Timothy • The Pastoral Epistle most closely resembling Paul’s undisputed letters • 2 Timothy 4:6-22 has best claim for Pauline authorship • Majority of scholars still see all of book as pseudonymous • Appearance of false teachings as sign of the last days ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  14. 2 Timothy (cont’d.) • The Hebrew Bible as the standard for religious orthodoxy ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  15. Letter to Titus • Historical Titus: Greek missionary associate of Paul • Organization of book • Qualifications for Christian ministry (1:4-2:15) • Christian behavior in an ungodly world (3:1-11) ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  16. The Pastor’s Contribution • Attempts to promote continuity of authority in the church • Deemphasis on charismatic, Spirit-led religion found in Paul’s letters • Emphasis instead on correct doctrine and ecclesiastical authority ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  17. 1 Clement • Does not claim to be by Paul • Explicitly appeals to authority of Paul’s memory • Written to church at Corinth ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  18. Teachings of 1 Clement • Warns Corinthians against removing church presbyters (“elders”) • Principle of apostolic succession means these church leaders inherited their authority from Christ and then from his apostles ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  19. The Epistle of Barnabas • Widely read and considered canonical by some early Christians • Written in name of Barnabas, Paul’s early missionary companion ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  20. Teachings of Barnabas • Hebrew scriptures to be understood symbolically as pointing to Christ • Jewish dietary laws not to be taken literally • Contrasts the “Two Ways” of living life • Way of Light • Way of Darkness • Recalls similar language in the Didache ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

  21. Summary • Post-Pauline Christians contended for Pauline lagacy • 2 Thessalonians and Colossians closer to genuine Pauline thought than Ephesians and the Pastorals • Epistle of Barnabas develops allegorical mode of scriptural interpretation in Galatians ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education

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