RelSt 535: Class Notes (brief) for Spring 2002
Robert Kraft, University of Pennsylvania

8 January (first class)

January 15, 2002 (Joy)

Collections of Early Christian Literature:
  The New Testament
  - Narratives -- Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke; John) & Acts
  - Epistles (13 by "Paul" + Hebrews + "General" Epistles)
  - Revelation/Apocalypse
 "Apocryphal" NT
  Apostolic Fathers
  Apologists
  Heterodox/"Heretical"
  Anti-Heresy

Names to Know:
  Athanasius, Theophilus, Irenaeus, Markion/Marcion, Muratori, Ignatius, Nero, Tertullian, Tatian

Significant Terms:
  Gnostic(ism), filioque clause, Diatessaron

Creeds in Christianity as clues to disputes

Tyranny of Canonical Assumptions (everything doesn't revolve around "Bible")

Christological issues (what does it mean for Joshua/Jesus to be Christ/Messiah?)

Class Minutes (what date?)
By Joshua Chu

1.Early Christian Literature

1. Apocryphal
Like the NT scripture but not part of NT
Acts of Peter
Letters- third Corinthians
Apocalypse of Paul, of John, of Peter=09

2. Apostolic Fathers=20
Didache
1 Clement
Hermas
Papias
=20
3. Apologists ca. 130-180
Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho)
Tatian

4. Gnostic Literature
5. Montanist literature
End-time expectations=20
Montanus as God's lyre
critical of institutionalized church because their leaders chosen by
people instead of Spirit lead
Tertullain became a Montanist


Qn: WAS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN CHRISTIAN GROUPS AND EGYPT?


2. Primacy sources =96 found on rocks, and other incidental writings

3.The works of Josephus Flavius
- Antiquities of the Jews
- Possible issue of authenticity of book 18
- Possible tampering of account of John the Baptist
- Includes story of James


4. Discussion of Geography
- Christian spread to the East, but no real account of spread to N. =
Africa and Asia
5. Opposition against early Christian
- Not unanimous
- Depended on local leadership