Biblical Authorship

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New Testament
Gospels
Acts of the Apostles
Paul's letters
Catholic letters
epiphany

The authorship of the biblical books is an important topic in introductory science . For the interpretation of the texts it is usually of great importance who wrote them, not least because the dating is connected with it.
At least four different types of authorship can be distinguished: the anonymous , orthonymous (“with the correct name” = real), heteronymous and pseudepigraphic authorship.

Anonymous authorship

Most of the biblical texts are written by authors whose identity is not given. The authors step back behind their works.

In the New Testament are formally anonymous due to missing author information:

Originally, none of these scriptures have any author information. Since this was understandably unsatisfactory, author names were assigned to them (sometimes quite quickly) in the headings or through oral tradition.

In detail, the following picture emerges:

  • Gospel according to Matthew - first mention of an author "Matthew" by Papias of Hierapolis around 130 AD .
  • Gospel according to Mark - first mention of an author "Mark" by Papias of Hierapolis around 130 AD.
  • Gospel according to Luke - first mention of an author "Luke" by Irenaeus of Lyon around 180 AD.
  • Acts - is sensibly decided like the gospel according to Luke.
  • John - first mention of a writer "John, Mr. followers" by Irenaeus 180 AD with reference to Papias, of the.. So does not write.
  • The Epistle to the Hebrews - from 180 in the Alexandrian School (Clemens, Origen ) the authorship is represented by Paul.
  • The first letter from Johannes - can only be assigned in the Johannine school.

Historically, authorship known by name

Some biblical writings are written by authors known by name.

In the New Testament these are the real Pauline letters . In any case, the apostle Paul is seen as the author of the following seven letters:

  • The letter to the Romans
  • The first letter to the Corinthians
  • The second letter to the Corinthians
  • The letter to the Galatians
  • The letter to the Philippians
  • The first letter to the Thessalonians
  • Philemon

Pseudepigraphy: spurious authorship

According to ancient custom, many biblical writings have already been assigned to important people by the authors or have been classified by tradition due to incomplete information.

In the New Testament this affects the vast majority of scriptures. The phenomenon of pseudepigraphy in general, as well as the concrete findings of pseudepigraphy scripts in particular, is, however, repeatedly and fiercely denied. Therefore, it should be pointed out again at this point that the introductory scientific analysis, like any other scientific research, always moves in the area of ​​working hypotheses. In the context of these premises, however, the assumption of pseudepigraphy seems reasonable. The establishment of pseudepigraphic authorship expressly does not mean a judgment on the theological statement of the document. The following writings are classified as pseudepigraphs by a large number of researchers:

  • The first letter to Timothy - pretends to be Paul's letter
  • The second letter to Timothy - pretends to be Paul's letter
  • The letter to Titus - pretends to be Paul's letter
  • The first letter to Peter - poses as a letter from Simon Peter, from
  • The Second Letter to Peter - masquerades as a letter from Simon Peter
  • The letter of James - pretends to be a letter from James , the Lord Brother
  • The Letter of Jude - pretends to be a letter from Jude Thaddäus , the brother of the gentleman brother

Deuteronymous authorship

The author stands in a clearly recognizable "school" or tradition. Only a few biblical writings are likely - if at all - to have been written by authors who were assigned to a larger school due to incomplete author information.

In the New Testament the writings of the " Johannine School " come into question:

  • 1. John - written by a “presbyter”. Approx. 130 AD Papias of Hierapolis reports about a "Presbyter John, disciple of the Lord", whom one could possibly identify with.
  • 2. Apocalypse - written by a "servant John", is declared around 150 by Justin the martyr as identical to John the Zebedaiden. Irenäus (approx. 180) ascribes the work "John the Lord Disciple".