Earliest Christians used Hebrew Bible,especially Septuagint

Hebrew Bible becoming known asOld Testament

Earliest Christian writings:

1. Stories of sayings and actions of Jesus

2. Letters sent by Christian teachers

Most books of NT written by end 1st c. AD

c. 95-150 AD “Apostolic Fathers” written,incl. 1 Clement, 2 Clement, Letters ofIgnatius, the Didache, the Epistle ofBarnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas

2nd-3rd c. AD Church consists of variousgroups incl. group responsible for currentform of NT, regarding position as“orthodox” and “catholic,” known asProto-Orthodoxy or Early Catholicism.Develops canon in response to Gnostics

1945 Discovery of Nag Hammadi Libraryreveals many Gnostic texts from 4th c.AD including:

Gospel of ThomasGospel of PhilipApocryphon of JohnActs of Peter and the Twelve Apostles

Example of additional Proto-Orthodox text:Acts of Paul, c. 170 AD

144 AD Excommunication of Marcion, whodistinguished between inferior God ofOT and superior God of NT, andargued for canon consisting of expurgatedversions of Luke and 10 letters of Paul

2nd-3rd c. AD Continued proliferation ofChristian writings and production offurther lists of permitted writings

Muratorian Canon, end 2nd c. AD:

All books now in NT except Hebrews,James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, poss. a letterof John. Also incl. Apocalypse of Peter,Shepherd of Hermas

Eusebius of Caesarea (d. 339 AD), EcclesiasticalHistory, lists the four Gospels, Acts,letters of Paul, 1 John, 1 Peter, plus mostlyacknowledged and spurious books

367 AD Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria listsNT as consisting of text we have today.Position supported by Bishop Augustineof Hippo (d. 430) and through Latintranslation of Jerome (d. 420)

Latin Bible used in Middle Ages known asVulgate (= “common edition”)

1439-43 Council of Florence issues decreeapproving Athanasius’ list

Factors in approving books of NT:

Rule of Faith = orthodox content

Apostolic Origin = origin from apostleor associate thereof

Extent of Use = popularity

NOT divine inspiration!

Purported author names are only labels forconvenience

Dated c. 70-100 AD

Matthew, Mark, Luke = Synoptic Gospels

“Synoptic” = “seeing things alike.” Closerelationship of Synoptic Gospels leadsto “synoptic problem”; will discussthis next class

The Gospels

Matthew:

Perspective of “Jewish Christians” (Christiansfollowing Jewish law)

Seeing Jesus as Messiah who will return again

Emphasis on adherence to Jewish law andneed for church to be organised,law-abiding community

Agendas of the Synoptic Writers

Mark:

Work of Christian apologetic, defendingclaim of Jesus being Messiah againstcriticisms from Jews and Gentiles

Agendas of the Synoptic Writers

Agendas of the Synoptic Writers

Luke:

Also seen as author of Acts

Concerned with Gentiles and how Christianitybecame Gentile movement

Also concerned with welfare and salvation ofpoor and oppressed