Paul's First Letter To Pseudonymity In The Hebrew Bible
Pseudonymity
Pseudonymity is defined as composition of new works in the name a popular author who is deceased. Pseudonymous works were widespread in Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity. The book of Daniel which was accepted into Hebrew Bible Canon was a pseudonymous work. Other pseudonymous composition includes Wisdom of Solomon, Baruch and Apocalyptic 2 Esdras. In early Christianity, after the death of Apostle Paul, pseudonymity was rampant. In II Thess. 2:1-3, the author warns his audience not to be excited of new works as there were rampant forged documents bearing Paul’s name. Some scholars have disputed second letter to Thessalonians and Colossians as Paul’s own composition. Scholars believe these letters were composed by Paul’s …show more content…
disciples after his death and this is evident by date and place of composition. Six other letters of Paul have been suspected to be pseudonymous. Additionally, the seven Catholic Epistles have been categorized by some scholars as pseudonymous works (Harris, 2014).
Difference Accounts II Thessalonians and Paul’s First Letter to Thessalonians on Jesus’ Return
II Thessalonians which has been categorized by some scholars as pseudonymous work accounts Jesus’ return further into the future which contradicts Paul’s first letter to Thessalonians which accounts eschatology as imminent and extremely close.
I Thessalonians describes second coming of Jesus as like ‘a thief in the night’ while II Thessalonians accounts Jesus’ return to be accompanied by apocalyptic signs. Some scholars believe that II Thessalonians was written after Paul’s death by his disciple to correct the concept of …show more content…
eschatology.
Arguments for and against Paul’s Authorship of Colossians
Large number of minority scholars believes Colossians to be Paul’s authentic letter while some scholars dispute this claim. Minority scholars the theological letter was written by Paul almost the same time as Philemon before he visited the town of Colossae in Asia. This claim is further supported by the Paul’s salutation of his friend Timothy and the mention of other persons such as Onesimus, Archippus, Mark, Luke and Aristarchis who have been widely mentioned in other missive. Some scholars dispute Colossians authorship to be Paul’s citing historical plausibility of the text, unique vocabulary that is not Paul’s like, missing or new theological ideas that is not expected of Paul and the style of writing which different from other letters of Paul such as Galatians and I Corinthians (Harris, 2014).
Union between the Church and Christ
Paul describes union between the church and Christ as a gift from God through which the sins of the chosen one’s are forgiven. The union of the church and Christ was foreseen by God where the church would be Christ’s future children. God placed Christ as the head of the church and those who trust in Christ will be redeemed by Jesus blood and Christ spirit will fill the church as God dwell in Christ. Paul expresses church union with Christ as divine dynamic relationship between believers and divinity. This implies that all believers, both Jews and Gentiles must unite together in Christ (Harris, 2014).
Pastoral Letters
Scholars believe pastoral letters were written by Paul’s disciple because of the reflection of events and conditions that prevailed long after the death of Paul. Furthermore, authorship of pastoral letters lacks Paul’s characteristics of ideas on spirit and faith. The flat prose style of writing and vocabularies used in Pastoral Letters are un-Pauline. There are 306 new words in pastoral letters that are not found in Paul’s authentic letters. Additionally, the church organization presented by the author is more developed than church during Paul’s time. The author dwelled some much in tradition because he wanted to preserve inherited Christian tradition which in his view is static doctrine (Harris, 2014).
‘Hall of Faith’
Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as ‘Hall of Faith’ because it narrates how believers can do great things for the lord by faith.
In Hebrews Ch. 11:2, the author accounts how by faith God approved us. It is through faith that we believe creation was done by Word of God, how through faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain and by faith we believe God exists and rewards those who trust and seek him. It is in chapter 11 of Hebrew where by faith Sarah was able to conceive and bear children at old age. Abraham agreed to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice by faith that God will resurrect him. Some of the notable figures chapter 11 is Abel, Noah, Sarah, Enoch, Abraham and Rehab. Noah exhibited faith by accepting God’s command to build an ark and save his household. It is by faith that Rehab risked her life by harboring Hebrew spies who wanted to conquer the city. Enoch showed faith when he didn’t see death but was transformed from a mortal being to immortal by God (Williams,
2010).
1 John Response to Gnosticism
The author of 1 John wrote the book in response to Gnostic ideas. Gnosticism was ideas developed by Gnostic teachers who held common belief that knowledge of spiritual truths was a leeway to personal salvation. They believed one true nature to consist of an immortal spirit and not a physical body. They defined a mythology illustrating how entities from spirit generated the world where divine souls are trapped in mortal body. Christian Gnostics believe Jesus to be an immortal spirit who descended from highest heavens to come and save human from fleshly bondage. Gnosticism known as Docetism believes that Jesus ascended to his place of origin in heaven but didn’t suffer in the cross (King, 2005).
Apocalypse
Apocalypse, ‘Revelation’ is a literary work derived from Greek word apokalypsis which means uncovering, unveiling or striping naked something which was initially covered. Writers used this literary work to unveil hidden realities of the spirit world and coming events. Writers described apocalypse basing on visions or dreams in which they encounter supernatural beings such as angels and monsters who communicates God’s message and future intentions. Authors of the book of Daniel and Revelation clearly framed their apocalyptic visions in literary forms. Revelation portrays God as a violent God who uses his power to exterminate his creation during Judgment Day (Harris, 2014).
Myths of Cosmic Conflict between Good and Evil
John uses mystical narration of his visions to unveil the struggle between good and evil. Some of the mystical narrations are the story of the celestial woman, the dragon and the beast from the sea. John’s vision of celestial woman resembling Egyptian goddess Isis dressed in sun, moon and twelve stars represents Israel. The twelve stars symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. The story of Dragon which hurls from heaven waging war on women and children represents the satanic attack on churches (Harris, 2014).
References
Harris, S. L. (2014). The New Testament: A Student's Introduction (8th Ed.). Dubuque: McGraw Hill Education. King, K. L. (2005). What is Gnosticism? Harvard University Press.
Williams, L.M. Dr., (2010). Why is Hebrews Chapter 11 Called the Hall of Faith? What Christians Want To Know.
Pseudonymity is defined as composition of new works in the name a popular author who is deceased. Pseudonymous works were widespread in Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity. The book of Daniel which was accepted into Hebrew Bible Canon was a pseudonymous work. Other pseudonymous composition includes Wisdom of Solomon, Baruch and Apocalyptic 2 Esdras. In early Christianity, after the death of Apostle Paul, pseudonymity was rampant. In II Thess. 2:1-3, the author warns his audience not to be excited of new works as there were rampant forged documents bearing Paul’s name. Some scholars have disputed second letter to Thessalonians and Colossians as Paul’s own composition. Scholars believe these letters were composed by Paul’s …show more content…
disciples after his death and this is evident by date and place of composition. Six other letters of Paul have been suspected to be pseudonymous. Additionally, the seven Catholic Epistles have been categorized by some scholars as pseudonymous works (Harris, 2014).
Difference Accounts II Thessalonians and Paul’s First Letter to Thessalonians on Jesus’ Return
II Thessalonians which has been categorized by some scholars as pseudonymous work accounts Jesus’ return further into the future which contradicts Paul’s first letter to Thessalonians which accounts eschatology as imminent and extremely close.
I Thessalonians describes second coming of Jesus as like ‘a thief in the night’ while II Thessalonians accounts Jesus’ return to be accompanied by apocalyptic signs. Some scholars believe that II Thessalonians was written after Paul’s death by his disciple to correct the concept of …show more content…
eschatology.
Arguments for and against Paul’s Authorship of Colossians
Large number of minority scholars believes Colossians to be Paul’s authentic letter while some scholars dispute this claim. Minority scholars the theological letter was written by Paul almost the same time as Philemon before he visited the town of Colossae in Asia. This claim is further supported by the Paul’s salutation of his friend Timothy and the mention of other persons such as Onesimus, Archippus, Mark, Luke and Aristarchis who have been widely mentioned in other missive. Some scholars dispute Colossians authorship to be Paul’s citing historical plausibility of the text, unique vocabulary that is not Paul’s like, missing or new theological ideas that is not expected of Paul and the style of writing which different from other letters of Paul such as Galatians and I Corinthians (Harris, 2014).
Union between the Church and Christ
Paul describes union between the church and Christ as a gift from God through which the sins of the chosen one’s are forgiven. The union of the church and Christ was foreseen by God where the church would be Christ’s future children. God placed Christ as the head of the church and those who trust in Christ will be redeemed by Jesus blood and Christ spirit will fill the church as God dwell in Christ. Paul expresses church union with Christ as divine dynamic relationship between believers and divinity. This implies that all believers, both Jews and Gentiles must unite together in Christ (Harris, 2014).
Pastoral Letters
Scholars believe pastoral letters were written by Paul’s disciple because of the reflection of events and conditions that prevailed long after the death of Paul. Furthermore, authorship of pastoral letters lacks Paul’s characteristics of ideas on spirit and faith. The flat prose style of writing and vocabularies used in Pastoral Letters are un-Pauline. There are 306 new words in pastoral letters that are not found in Paul’s authentic letters. Additionally, the church organization presented by the author is more developed than church during Paul’s time. The author dwelled some much in tradition because he wanted to preserve inherited Christian tradition which in his view is static doctrine (Harris, 2014).
‘Hall of Faith’
Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as ‘Hall of Faith’ because it narrates how believers can do great things for the lord by faith.
In Hebrews Ch. 11:2, the author accounts how by faith God approved us. It is through faith that we believe creation was done by Word of God, how through faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain and by faith we believe God exists and rewards those who trust and seek him. It is in chapter 11 of Hebrew where by faith Sarah was able to conceive and bear children at old age. Abraham agreed to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice by faith that God will resurrect him. Some of the notable figures chapter 11 is Abel, Noah, Sarah, Enoch, Abraham and Rehab. Noah exhibited faith by accepting God’s command to build an ark and save his household. It is by faith that Rehab risked her life by harboring Hebrew spies who wanted to conquer the city. Enoch showed faith when he didn’t see death but was transformed from a mortal being to immortal by God (Williams,
2010).
1 John Response to Gnosticism
The author of 1 John wrote the book in response to Gnostic ideas. Gnosticism was ideas developed by Gnostic teachers who held common belief that knowledge of spiritual truths was a leeway to personal salvation. They believed one true nature to consist of an immortal spirit and not a physical body. They defined a mythology illustrating how entities from spirit generated the world where divine souls are trapped in mortal body. Christian Gnostics believe Jesus to be an immortal spirit who descended from highest heavens to come and save human from fleshly bondage. Gnosticism known as Docetism believes that Jesus ascended to his place of origin in heaven but didn’t suffer in the cross (King, 2005).
Apocalypse
Apocalypse, ‘Revelation’ is a literary work derived from Greek word apokalypsis which means uncovering, unveiling or striping naked something which was initially covered. Writers used this literary work to unveil hidden realities of the spirit world and coming events. Writers described apocalypse basing on visions or dreams in which they encounter supernatural beings such as angels and monsters who communicates God’s message and future intentions. Authors of the book of Daniel and Revelation clearly framed their apocalyptic visions in literary forms. Revelation portrays God as a violent God who uses his power to exterminate his creation during Judgment Day (Harris, 2014).
Myths of Cosmic Conflict between Good and Evil
John uses mystical narration of his visions to unveil the struggle between good and evil. Some of the mystical narrations are the story of the celestial woman, the dragon and the beast from the sea. John’s vision of celestial woman resembling Egyptian goddess Isis dressed in sun, moon and twelve stars represents Israel. The twelve stars symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. The story of Dragon which hurls from heaven waging war on women and children represents the satanic attack on churches (Harris, 2014).
References
Harris, S. L. (2014). The New Testament: A Student's Introduction (8th Ed.). Dubuque: McGraw Hill Education. King, K. L. (2005). What is Gnosticism? Harvard University Press.
Williams, L.M. Dr., (2010). Why is Hebrews Chapter 11 Called the Hall of Faith? What Christians Want To Know.