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