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

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

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

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education 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 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 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 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 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 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 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