Earliest Christians used Hebrew Bible, especially Septuagint Hebrew Bible becoming known as Old 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 AD “Apostolic Fathers” written, incl. 1 Clement, 2 Clement, Letters of Ignatius, the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas 2nd-3rd c. AD Church consists of various groups incl. group responsible for current form of NT, regarding position as “orthodox” and “catholic,” known as Proto-Orthodoxy or Early Catholicism. Develops canon in response to Gnostics

1945 Discovery of Nag Hammadi Library reveals many Gnostic texts from 4th c. AD including: Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Philip Apocryphon of John Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles Example of additional Proto-Orthodox text: Acts of Paul, c. 170 AD

144 AD Excommunication of Marcion, who distinguished between inferior God of OT and superior God of NT, and argued for canon consisting of expurgated versions of Luke and 10 letters of Paul 2nd-3rd c. AD Continued proliferation of Christian writings and production of further lists of permitted writings

Muratorian Canon, end 2nd c. AD: All books now in NT except Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, poss. a letter of John. Also incl. Apocalypse of Peter, Shepherd of Hermas Eusebius of Caesarea (d. 339 AD), Ecclesiastical History, lists the four Gospels, Acts, letters of Paul, 1 John, 1 Peter, plus mostly acknowledged and spurious books

367 AD Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria lists NT as consisting of text we have today. Position supported by Bishop Augustine of Hippo (d. 430) and through Latin translation of Jerome (d. 420) Latin Bible used in Middle Ages known as Vulgate (= “common edition”) Council of Florence issues decree approving Athanasius’ list

Factors in approving books of NT: Rule of Faith = orthodox content Apostolic Origin = origin from apostle or associate thereof Extent of Use = popularity NOT divine inspiration!

Purported author names are only labels for convenience Dated c AD Matthew, Mark, Luke = Synoptic Gospels “Synoptic” = “seeing things alike.” Close relationship of Synoptic Gospels leads to “synoptic problem”; will discuss this next class The Gospels

Matthew: Perspective of “Jewish Christians” (Christians following Jewish law) Seeing Jesus as Messiah who will return again Emphasis on adherence to Jewish law and need for church to be organised, law-abiding community Agendas of the Synoptic Writers

Mark: Work of Christian apologetic, defending claim of Jesus being Messiah against criticisms from Jews and Gentiles Agendas of the Synoptic Writers

Luke: Also seen as author of Acts Concerned with Gentiles and how Christianity became Gentile movement Also concerned with welfare and salvation of poor and oppressed