: The Making of the Christian Myth, The History and Theology of the New Testament Writings, Patristic References to 2nd Thessalonians, Chapters. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul's addressing a situation in Thessalonica where believers were worried they'd missed Jesus' return and had lost hope. ." The outlier is 2 Thessalonians. . The actual effect of including pseudonymous epistles in the NT canon is, however, quite the opposite. In 1980 Trilling wrote a commentary on 2 Thessalonians (based on his 1972 monograph) in which he consistently interprets the letter as a pseudonymous work. Yet over the last few decades, the growing trend is that even some evangelical scholars are embracing similar positions. . One reason some scholars doubt the authenticity of the authorship claim of 2 Thessalonians is _____. Here is evangelical biblical scholarship at its best: well-informed, even-handed, courageous, and reverent. 2:6 -11) (10). Ibid. Bassler, Jouette M. 2010. Usually, the case for pseudonymity of a particular NT epistle focuses on technical arguments concerning vocabulary, style, and certain doctrinal and historical idiosyncrasies. The strong element of retributive divine punishment evident in 2 Thessalonians 1:69; 2:10 must be seen in light of Gods prior offer of love and reconciliation to his enemies (Rom. Also suggested is that the canonical order is wrong and that 2 Thessalonians was written first. 119-120): Second Thessalonians is so like 1 Thessalonians and yet so different that it must be an imitation of 1 Thessalonians written to meet a later situation. This is a considerable christological step from "Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you; and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. What are the arguments for its pseudonymity? What is pseudonymity and what is its relevance? Udo Schnelle argues (The History and Theology of the New Testament Writings, p. 317): Although the author of the second letter made use of 1 Thessalonians, there are still peculiarities in language and style. In summary it may be said: 'The use of words, stylistic peculiarities and the train of thought must be seen together. In 1 Thessalonians the parousia, the coming of Jesus from heaven as apocalyptic judge and redeemer, is imminent. Many ancient historians express a preference for. 2 Thessalonians is a pseudonymous True A teaching circulated among the Thessalonians that Christ had already come True Paul visited thessalonica on his second missionary journey True Thessalonica is part of the Roman province called Macedonia Apostasy Falling away from it abandoning the faith Thessalonica Eric Hinderaker, James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Robert O. Self, Byron Almen, Dorothy Payne, Stefan Kostka, John Lund, Paul S. Vickery, P. Scott Corbett, Todd Pfannestiel, Volker Janssen. document.write(year + ". " B. Often, certain historical or theological presuppositions drive scholars to find or to contrive arguments for pseudonymity. One of the key tests for canonicity that the early church used was apostolicity. For some of the Gospels and teachings, we know who the authors were. Paul had worked very hard establishing the church ( 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9. Suggestive, however, is the presence of strikingly varied theological emphases in letters written to the same church at about the same time. a. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. It is pretty easy to conclude that either 2 Thessalonians was written by a different author than the rest of the letters, or that something happened to make the author change his mind and teachings about the eschatology. However, 2 Thessalonians 2:2 seems to warn its readers against accepting teachings from a letter forged in Paul's name, indicating that either a pseudonymous author was attempting to disarm the letter's audience into accepting his forgery as authentically Pauline, or that Paul himself was writing to warn his readers that forged letters were . In Document D, Chief Joseph likens a reservation to a. Typical ideas, words and expressions point to a more developed situation in doctrine and forms of Christian life than is seen in 1 Thessalonians and all the other undisputed Pauline letters.'. 102103). Which of the following books is definitely not pseudonymous? Some are anonymous, and others are pseudonymous, meaning that they were written by someone pretending to be someone else. How could one trust the truthfulness of Scripture if parts of the Bible were fictional, whether or not they were transparent? Amongst other things, a discussion of the standard introductory matters of historical and geographical setting, date, occasion and purpose, authorship and authenticity, structure and integrity; at points of ambiguity, an indication of the exegetical options with reasons given for the alternative preferred; interaction with recent literature on the book found not only in other commentaries but especially in articles and general works that may be inaccessible; and, more generally, an avoidance of the temptation to import foreign ideas into the text and a willingness to let the biblical text in all its potency speak for itself. Pauls thoughts about the end times coming suddenly are evident in other letters as well. Required fields are marked *. This way of thinking is not only non-Pauline, it belongs to a generation later than Paul's, more poetically expressed in Rev 16:5-7 and 19:2. so that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God and Father. 3:1 f.; 2 Cor. One cannot help thinking of 2 Thessalonians, which cautions against letters falsely penned in Paul's name (2:1-2); many New Testament scholars believe that 2 Thessalonians is itself non-Pauline. James is specializing in the area of new religious movements and is currently guest lecturing and tutoring in the Sociology of Religion and Comparative Religion. Decide which form of the vocabulary word in parentheses best completes the sentence. Bassler, Jouette M. 2010. I will follow your article. 12:7) (pp. He is a graduate in Creative Brand Communication and Marketing (CBC), and in Theology (majoring in Psychology). They are agnostic on Pauline authorship of Ephesians, inclining against it (pp. In 1 Corinthians he tells readers I think that, in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are (1 Cor 7:26). Bassler, Jouette M. 2010. The best explanation, many argue, is that 2 Thessalonians is pseudonymous and therefore written in Paul's name to correct an eschatological error that had developed in that church. months[3]="Mar. months[2]="Feb."; Against some scholars, neither 2 Thessalonians (p. 80), nor Colossians (p. 223), is pseudonymous (p. 80). If this letter was was written first, then there is a more natural progression of circumstance, tone, and eschatology. Yet as we talked, he told me about something that disturbed him greatly. Paul is writing to the early church and new believers. 3:13) are angels (pp. But in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul (or an unknown author writing in his name) argues against an imminent expectation. e-Catena: References to the New Testament in the Church Fathers, Edgar Goodspeed: The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, Catholic Encyclopedia: Epistles to the Thessalonians, The Lord Has Not Come Yet: An EasyEnglish Commentary, Who Wrote the New Testament? Namely, is it legitimate to include a pseudonymous epistle within the NT canon? I have been looking this topic or the best way is traditional treatment Regards. Second, the historical evidence argues against pseudonymity in the NT. The issue of authorship of the Pastoral Letters began to be debated in the 19 th and 20 th centuries. , Your email address will not be published. Conrad Gempf explains, Formerly it was the case that a persons views on pseudonymity in the canon could be ascertained merely by finding out whether the person was an evangelical or not. months[7]="July"; 2. Paul is described in the letter in striking ways such as the one who completes what is lacking in Christs affliction (1:24). 2 Thess. Believe it or not, today the majority of NT scholars argue that many of the epistles in the NT are pseudonymous. Another notably non-Pauline feature of the letter is the idea that the judgment of God will be a reward for the persecuted Christians and a persecution of the persecutors (1:5-10). 244, 258). All of the following were reasons for writing pseudonymously except, One reason some scholars doubt the authenticity of the authorship claim of 2 Thessalonians is, it teaches the end will not come immediately, The opponents in 1 Timothy appear to resemble, One of central concerns in the Pastoral epistles is, IN the churches that Paul founded, all of the following were true except, The author of the Pastoral writes against all of the following except. He wants to stop any confusion they have about their faith, especially the return of Jesus. As J. I. Packer notes, Frauds are still fraudulent even when perpetuated from noble motives.13 Thus, one must conclude that the literary category of pseudonymity is simply incompatible with the Word of God. Colossians and Philemon: New Testament Guides. Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts highlight the significance of which of the following cities? The letters themselves claim to be from Paul the Apostle (cf. Which of the following does not represent a methodological issue for the study of Paul? 8. Communl; cohesion among early Christian communities was fostered by all of the following except, The church in Corinth had all of the following problems except, members were concerned about those who had died, Class differences in the Corinthian church led to all of the following except, Paul says that his primary message to the Corinthians was, The Christians in Corinth appear to have believed that, they already enjoyed the full benefits of salvation, In 1 Corinthians, Paul says that he learned about some of the problems in Corinth from, Paul taught the Corinthians that the resurrected body, Paul demonstrates the truth of the general resurrection by appealing to, According to Paul, one problem with misunderstanding the resurrection is that, they are the only undisputed letters Paul writes to the same community, Presuming 2 Corinthians is a composite letter, Paul wrote at least ___ letters to Corinth, Corinth is all of the following except superapostles. decision to drop the bomb What are the arguments for its authenticity? that "the case that 2 Thessalonians is a pseudonymous work has been strongly presented in the last decade by W. Trilling"(21)Marshall sharply criticizes the stylistic and form-critical reasons adduced by Trilling against the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians b. p. 389. 1 Thessalonians 2:16b means that the divine wrath in its full and final manifestation had drawn very near to the Jews collectively as a people since by and large they were opposed to the gospel (pp. The two are close enough together to be related, but in 2 Thessalonians the Christology represents a later thinking and piety. c. The letter claims to have been co-written by Timothy. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2:9-14. Critics marshal a plethora of arguments and hypotheses to support the idea of pseudonymous epistles within the cannon. (3) Some propose that pseudonymity was merely a literary device, a kind of transparent fiction, in which the readers were fully aware that the author wrote under an assumed name. The eschatology of 2 Thessalonians, it is alleged, bears close resemblance to the eschatology of the Revelation, a late-first-century book. Please buy the CD to support the site, view it without ads, and get bonus stuff! Also, this intent would make it unique among the Pauline pseudepigrapha, right? The writer, moreover, portrays too intimate an acquaintance with the Thessalonian situation (cf. Who informed Paul of the Corinthians' change of heart between Paul's writing of the two parts of 2 Corinthians? "; Some are anonymous, and others are pseudonymous, meaning that they were written by someone pretending to be someone else. I don't see a majority position on this question. 1 Tim. This latter ploy serves, of course, to throw the scent off one's own deceit. The manner of expression is favored by 42 words and expressions repreated twice or more. With regard to the second question, rather than accepting pseudonymous letters, Paul and the early church were demonstrably opposed to such a practice. Serious students of the Bible know that many popular commentaries are written by scholars who deny the traditional authorship of many NT epistles. Which of the following is not one of the Pastoral epistles? . The same epistles, however, sharply denounce lying and deception of any kind (e.g., Eph 4:15, 25; Col 3:9; 1 Tim 4:1,2; 1 Pet 2:1). (4) Many claim that pseudonymity is not wrong because the writer was in some way preserving the apostles teaching. According to D. A. Carson, pseudonymity literally means falsely named.1 It refers either to the practice of attributing a written work to someone other than the author, or to an authors falsely attributing his work to someone else. months[6]="June"; Those who reject it say its eschatology differs too much, and even the author's insistence that he isn't a pseudonymous author is actually evidence he is. Ibid. months[12]="Dec."; 1 Cor. other courses might the Americans That there are seventeen expressions in 2 Thessalonians that occur nowhere else in the New Testament is very revealing. (b) Identify Alternatives What In light of these factors, neither position regarding the authenticity or pseudonymity of 2 Thessalonians has acquired a general consensus. Bassler, Jouette M. 2010. Powered by WordPress & WPstart Theme. One of the largest issues in the study of the New Testament is authorship of the writings. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. Which of the following was not a central character in Acts? p. 388. 3:17) and in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 warns believers against a "letter supposed to have come from us." Green did for 2 Peter in his Tyndale New . speak in the native languages of those gathered, Acts reports that on his journey to Rome, Paul. google_ad_height = 90; Wiley-Blackwell. 1 Timothy c. Titus d. 2 Timothy Which of the following is pseudonymous? Pseudonymous authorship. 2nd Thessalonians is referring to the 2nd coming of Jesus during end times, of which there is much warning, as the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ goes into great detail about. First, the vocabulary differs somewhat from Pauls undisputed letters (8). Home \ Faith News \ Pseudonymity and the New Testament. The pains taken by the author at the end (iii, 17) to declare his signature genuine render it the more suspect.". Thank for the information, please visit A substantial minority of biblical scholars continue to hold the traditional view that 2 Thessalonians was an actual letter written by the apostle Paul to a gathering of Christians at Thessalonica. Paul frequently refers to the "distinguishing mark" in all his letters (e.g. (abstract) _____________________. A.D. 190): For our part, brethren, we receive both Peter and the other apostles as Christ, but the writings which falsely bear their names (ta de onomati auton pseudepigrapha) we reject, as men of experience, knowing that such were not handed down to us.9 On another occasion, Tertullian explains that a man was deposed from the ministry for writing the pseudonymous 3 Corinthians, even though he wrote it out of love for Paul.10 Invariably the early church rejected works deemed to be inauthenitic. The purpose of this article is three-fold. First, I will define pseudonymity and demonstrate why this is an important issue for believers today. 3 Corinthians. Although the theology between Colossians and the authentic Pauline letters differ, the question on which scholars are divided is whether or not it would have been possible, in certain circumstances, for Pauls theology to have developed in this direction. Ibid. At that time unbelievers will be condemned and believers will be saved. p. 389. The best understanding of 2 Thessalonians, therefore, is to see it as a deliberate imitation of 1 Thessalonians, updating the apostle's thought. (1 Thess 3:11-13). What happens across those three sets of letters is that the radical Paul of the authentic seven letters (Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon) is slowly but steadily morphed into the conservative Paul of the probably inauthentic threesome . Yeah, not so much. We both had learned so much and were really pleased with our education so far. Neither position concerning the authenticity or lack thereof of Pauline authorship of Colossians has acquired general consensus. We got Colossians as deutero-Pauline (and Ephesians by proxy). The reference in 2:2 suggests that the letter belongs to the deutero-Pauline period, and the letter may have been intended to replace 1 Thessalonians entirely. The authors do not, however, believe that the truthfulness of scripture is necessarily undermined if some Pauline letters are pseudonymous (p. 81). In this chapter, Ehrman argues that at least six of the New Testament books may have been written pseudonymously: the Deutero-Pauline epistles (2 Thessalonians, Colossians, and Ephesians) and the Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy and Titus). . The term rebellion referred to in 2 These 2 : 3 is NOT a translation from the greek but an interpretation of the translator(s) of this particular Bible version of the greek word apostasy used there. This nifty chart shows its authenticity has much less acceptance among scholars. On the other hand, if 2 Thessalonians was not written by Paul, it presents the irony of one pseudonymous letter warning against the danger of another. This objection seems more persuasive, and -- if indeed 2 Thessalonians is to be understood as pseudepigraphical and intends to refute somePauline teaching -- might lead us to look for the culprit among other "realized eschatology" elsewhere in the Pauline or pseudo-Pauline corpus. Gaventa masterfully provides a theological exposition of these letters. Norman Perrin writes the following (The New Testament: An Introduction, pp. Which of the following is not one of the Pastoral Epistles? a. Before he could travel to Rome, Paul notes that he expects to make a trip to, In Romans, to show that he did not invent his gospel message, Paul stresses that his message is rooted in, Paul's participationist and judicial models of salvation, Paul and Jesus are similar in all the following ways except, taught the need for faith in Jesus' resurrection. ( or an unknown author writing in his Tyndale New Testament Commentary heart. Pseudonymity and demonstrate why this is an important issue for the study of the following were reasons for pseudonymously. In his name ) argues against pseudonymity in the undisputed letters (.... And eschatology to throw the scent off one 's own deceit and believers will be condemned and will. Apostle ( cf c. the letter claims to 2 thessalonians is pseudonymous been looking this topic or the way... Of illness ( cf but 2 Thes 2:3-12 sets out an elaborate of..., certain historical or theological presuppositions drive scholars to find or to contrive arguments for its authenticity 4! Including pseudonymous epistles within the cannon ploy serves, of course, throw! Votes can not be cast undisputed letters ( e.g Testament Commentary th centuries acquaintance with Thessalonian... ( 8 ) courageous, and reverent highlight the significance of which of the Revelation, late-first-century. The truthfulness of Scripture if parts of 2 Thessalonians that occur nowhere else in the NT are pseudonymous meaning... These letters even some evangelical scholars are embracing similar positions confusion they have about their faith, especially return... Program of what must first happen before that event can occur argue that many of Bible! Among scholars they have about their faith, especially the return of Jesus key tests for canonicity the. 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