Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science
Continuing notes from Tyson’s Marcion and Luke-Acts — the previous post (on Luke 24) is here, the lot archived here — Previously I discussed Ancient Prologues in detail, but that was with particular reference to the Book of Acts. Nonbiblical examples of split prefaces, such as we find in Luke-Acts, were part of that discussion, … Continue reading “Marcion and Luke-Acts: The Preface of Luke”
In Fabricating Jesus Craig Evans writes: Some of the criteria used for supporting the authenticity of Jesus’ sayings apply in the case of his mighty deeds. (p.140) The criteria for authenticity that he cites in this context are: Multiple Attestation, Dissimilarity and Embarrassment. Elsewhere he lists additional criteria that he says are also useful for … Continue reading “3 ‘criteria for authenticity’ (“Fabricating Jesus” / Craig Evans contd)”
Having discussed the Preface and the Introduction, I continue here with chapter 1 of Fabricating Jesus by Craig A. Evans. Misplaced Faith and Misguided Suspicion A tired and common condescending put-down so often leveled against anyone who drifts away or turns against a tight-knit group of any kind is to accuse them of never having … Continue reading “‘Fabricating Jesus’ by Craig Evans, ch1. Misplaced Faith and Misguided Suspicion”
Following is my own elaboration of Pervo’s introduction to a discussion of ancient historical novels. My Stadter citations are independent of Pervo’s book. I do not refer to Acts in this post. Others can think through the comparisons. But will discuss a few more historical novels before returning to Acts. The Cyropaedia by Xenophon – … Continue reading “The literary genre of Acts. 10: historical novels – ancient cyrogenics and lost cities”
The Emmaus Road narrative in Luke 24 raises many questions. Why is the hitherto unknown Cleopas one of those who appears to be the first to meet the resurrected Jesus? Who is his unnamed companion? Why does the narrative conclude with a statement that Jesus has appeared to Simon when no such appearance is described? … Continue reading “The origin and meaning of the Emmaus Road narrative in Luke”
Paul in 2 Corinthians informs readers that his escape from Damascus was an escape from the governor under King Aretas. Luke in Acts informs readers that Paul’s escape from Damascus was an escape from Jews hiding in ambush at the city gates. Pervo exposes the nonsense of Luke’s narrative and suggests why he chose to … Continue reading “Paul’s basket escape from Damascus: the nonsense of the Acts narrative”
In response to those who dismiss a priori the likelihood of interpolations in the letters of Paul, Walker lists the following:
So the truth is out. Professor Francis Moloney and Jeffrey Archer tell us how the gospels were written. Note: No eyewitnesses! No oral traditions! No historiography!
16. Papias on John A second (hitherto unknown) inner circle In this chapter Bauckham argues that the author of the Gospel of John was John the Elder, and that it was this John who was the Beloved Disciple (BD). He begins by comparing the Synoptic “sources” with John’s. He reminds us that it was Peter, … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 16”
12. Anonymous Tradition or Eyewitness Testimony Eyewitnesses: a superfluous hypothesis? Bauckham argues that the primary sources of the gospel authors (following best historical practice by ancient standards) were the eyewitnesses. He therefore takes issue with Dunn when he says: [ I]t is almost self-evident that the Synoptists proceeded by gathering and ordering Jesus tradition which … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 12a”
Added about a day after the original post: Knew it would be a mistake to rush that last chapter. (wifta: ‘what i forgot to add’). Had originally intended to address Bauckham’s Theissen reference: Certainly something happened when the traditions were appropriated by the writers of the Gospels, but it could not have been so discontinuous … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 11/WIFTA”
(P.S. on chapter 9: another interesting thing I learned in the previous chapter was that the notion of “translating” a text among some ancients was nothing like our concept. Josephus says he was going to make a translation of the Hebrew scriptures, no more or less, but of course he does do much more and … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 10”
To those who might wonder if Papias’s reference to “living and abiding voice” is one of the multiple Johannine resonances in his Prologue (c.f. the final chapter of John’s discussion of whether and how long the beloved disciple would “remain” with them; and further note other Johannine touches such as both the names and the … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 2c”
Bauckham argues that Papias, towards the end of the first century, seized opportunities to question disciples of “elders” who knew personally two eyewitness disciples of Jesus — Aristion and John the Elder — who were at that time still alive in Asia. Other eyewitness disciples of Jesus, specifically Andrew, Peter, Philip, Thomas, James, John and … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 2b”