Who Really Wrote the Gospels

8/22/2019 Who Really Wrote the Gospels

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Who Really Wrote the Gospels, and Why Should WeCare?

A Talk Given at the Religious Education Congress of the Archdiocese of LosAngeles

Felix Just, S.J. - Loyola Marymount University - Feb. 17, 2001

According to Catholic tradition, the four Gospels were written by four individualscalled the four Evangelists. Many scholars today, however, argue that the originalauthors were "anonymous," and that the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke, andJohn were only later connected with these four books. Which opinion is correct?Better yet, what difference does it make? This workshop will explain why it isimportant for all Christian teachers and students to know how, when, for whom,and by whom the Gospels were written.

of Catholic Church ( 51-141)

Pontifical Biblical Commission: "Historical Truth of the Gospels" (4/21/64) Pontifical Biblical Commission: "Interpretation of the Bible in the Church"

(4/23/93)

The Four Evangelists: Four-Fold Role of the Evangelists

Ten Stages of Biblical Formation and Transmission

Four Criteria for Canonicity

Texts from Eusebius on the Authorship of the Gospels

Historical-Critical Study of the Gospels' Authors and Recipients

Symbols of the Four Evangelists:Including:

Biblical Background Texts on the "Four Living Creatures"

Patristic Texts Connecting the "Living Creatures" with the Four

Evangelists Artistic Images of the Evangelists and/or Their Symbols

The Handout Distributed at the Congress:

Introduction: The "Catholic" Approach to All Theology

"BOTH/AND" rather than "either/or" (avoiding one-sidedextremes; embracing both sides)

I) Revelation and Scripture: God as Author AND Humans as Authors

Documents: Dei Verbum (Vatican II: "Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation");Catechism of Catholic Church ( 51-141);
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Evangelistshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Canonicityhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Eusebius_Gospels.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Art/Evangelists_Symbols.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Canonicityhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Eusebius_Gospels.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Art/Evangelists_Symbols.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Evangelists


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Pontifical Biblical Commission: "Historical Truth of the Gospels" (4/21/64); "Interpretation ofthe Bible in the Church" (4/23/93)

Revelation of God's Self: in Creation, in Human Life, in the People ofIsrael, in God's Son Jesus

Transmitting God's Revelation ("Tradition"): apostolic preaching, sacred scripture, churchteaching

Revelation in Sacred Scripture: Written under the Inspiration of the HolySpirit, with God as Author"Catholic" Christian Canon: universal message and audience; God's truth "for the sake ofsalvation"

Revelation in Human Language: Humans as "true authors" using theirown "powers and abilities"Awareness of Literary Genres; Four-fold Role of the Evangelists: selectors, arrangers,

shapers, proclaimers

II) Evangelists as Authors of "Good News":

A) Literary / Textual

Four Stages of Gospel Formation(usually three; cf. DV 19, CCC 126):words and deeds of Jesus; oral traditions passed on; written collections compiled; fullGospels written

Original Titles are Unknown (cf. first verses or "incipits" of Gospels):

canonical titles added later: literally the "Gospel according to ____" rather than the"Gospel of____"

Initial Texts wereAnonymous(the authors are not named in the texts):possible self-references: Mark 14:51-52; Matt 13:52; Luke 1:1-4; John 21:20, 24; 19:35 ?

B) Canonical / Traditional

Patristic Traditions: Papias (~125 AD; in Eusebius, E.H. 3.39.15-16);Clement of Alexandria (~180 AD; E.H. 6.14.6); etc.

Matthew - apostle (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13); Galilean tax collector (Matt9:9; 10:3; "Levi" in Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27?)Mark - Jerusalem youth (Acts 12:12, 25 "John Mark"); missionary with Paul (Acts13:5, 13; 15:36-40; 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24); "cousin" of Barnabas (Col 4:10); Peter's"son" (1 Pet 5:13); Peter's "interpreter" (Papias)Luke - client of Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4); "co-worker" of Paul (Phlm 24; 2Tim4:11); a Greek "physician" (Col 4:14)John - brother of James, son of Zebedee (Mark 3:17, par.); the "beloved


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disciple"? (John 13:23; 19:26-27; etc.); the "elder"? (2John, 3John); the same"John" who wrote Revelation? (Rev 1:4,9) - probably not(see Eusebius, E.H. 3.39;4.14; 7.25)

C) Historical / Critical

Various types of "authorship"; Multiple stages of composition andexpansion; Implied authorsCommunities to/for whom the Evangelists wrote; When/Where;Socio-historical context; Implied readers

Mark - bi-lingual Aramaic/Greek interpreter; persecuted Gentile community; late60's (Rome? later Alexandria?)Matthew- Jewish-Christian scribe; educated community arguing with otherJews; 70's-80's (Galilee? Antioch?)Luke- Gentile Christian historian; wealthier urban community becoming

complacent; 80's (Antioch? Greece?)John- Jewish Christian believers, in conflict with the "synagogue across thestreet"; 90's (Syria? later Ephesus?)

D) Symbolic / Spiritual

Four "living creatures"(Ezek 1:1-14; Rev 4:6-9; 6:1-7; etc.); Jerome (~398AD; Preface to Comm. on Matt.)

Matthew - begins with the HUMAN ancestry of Jesus (1:1-18); ends with Jesus'promise to be "with us always" (28:20)

Mark - begins with John the Baptist, roaring like a LION (1:2-8); ends withchallenge: "do not be afraid or silent" (16:1-8)Luke - begins and ends in the Jerusalem Temple, where OXen are sacrificedand God is praised (Luke 1:5-23; 24:53)John - begins like a soaring EAGLE: cosmic hymn to the Logos (John 1:1-18);ends with divine life (20:30-31; 21:24-25)

III) Why Should We Care?

Richness of the Four-Fold Gospel - Different Emphases for DifferentPeople in Different Situations:

Multiple Levels of Meaning and Interpretation: Literary, Canonical, Historical, Spiritual - allvalid and importantvs.Poverty of One-Dimensional Views - Inadequacy of UniformHarmonizations for Scripture and Religion:Overemphasis or neglect of history; Desire for immediate relevance or simplistic answers;Doyou care enough?


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IV) Questions and Discussion

Catholic Church Documents related to Biblical Studiescompiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Newly Released:

Verbum Domini("The Word of the Lord") the "post-synodal apostolic

exhortation," resulting from the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of

Bishops, which met in Rome on Oct. 5-26, 2008, and was devoted to "The Word

of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."

Documents from Recent Ecumenical Councils:

SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL:DEI VERBUM ("Dogmatic Constitutionon Divine Revelation" - November 18, 1965)

o English translation from the Vatican website; other copies in English also atCIN

o Spanish translation and several other languages also available from the

Vatican website

o See also my Outline ofDei Verbum, as compared to the biblical section of

the Catechism of the Catholic Church First Vatican Council:Dei Filius ("Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith" - April 24, 1870)

o Session III, see esp. Chapter II - "On Revelation"; Chapter III - "On Faith"; Canon II -

"On Revelation"; and Canon III - "On Faith" Council of Trent (ed. J. Waterworth, 1848; another copy online at EWTN Library):

o Session IV, First Decree ("Concerning the Canonical Scriptures" - April 8, 1546)o Session IV, Second Decree ("Concerning the Edition and Use of the Sacred Books" -

April 8, 1546)o Session V, Second Decree ("Concerning Reform" - June 17, 1546)

Catechism of the Catholic Church(2nd edition; October 11, 1992 - from theVatican website):

Part One: The Profession of Faith; Section One: "I Believe" - "We Believe";

Chapter Two: God Comes to Meet Man

o Article 1 (par. 51-73): "The Revelation of God"

o Article 2 (par. 74-100): "The Transmission of Divine Revelation"

o Article 3 (par. 101-141) "Sacred Scripture"o Spanish translation and several other languages also available from the

Vatican websiteo Article 1;Article 2; Article 3also available in English at the ChristusRex website

Documents of the Pontifical Biblical Commission: "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" (April 15, 1993) - one large file,

or several smaller files for faster download
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/v2revel.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/v2revel.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_sp.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/DeiVerbum.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/DeiVerbum.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/DeiVerbum.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/DeiVerbum.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.htmhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT4.htmhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct04can.htmlhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct04ed.htmlhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct05ref.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a1.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a2.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/ESL0022/_INDEX.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htmhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess2.html#REVELATIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess2.html#REVELATIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess3.html#TRANSMISSIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess3.html#TRANSMISSIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess4.html#SCRIPTUREhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess4.html#SCRIPTUREhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_Interp.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/v2revel.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_sp.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/DeiVerbum.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.htmhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT4.htmhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct04can.htmlhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct04ed.htmlhttp://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct05ref.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a1.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a2.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/ESL0022/_INDEX.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htmhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess2.html#REVELATIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess3.html#TRANSMISSIONhttp://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess4.html#SCRIPTUREhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_Interp.htm


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o Published inOrigins23.29 (Jan. 6, 1994) 497-524; another online copy available at the

EWTN Libraryo On theVatican websitein German, Italian, Portugese, and Swahili (but not English!)o See also "Interpreting the Bible: Three Views" - three analyses of this PBC document,

fromFirst Things Magazine "Instruction on the Historical Truth of the Gospels" (a.k.a. "Sancta Mater

Ecclesia"; April 21, 1964)o See also J. Fitzmyer, "The Biblical Commission's Instruction on the Historical Truth of

the Gospels," TS25 (1964) 386-408o A different English translation is also available in CBQ 26 (1964) 299-312.

All documents issued by the PBC - listed in chronological order, from the Vatican

Website

o See esp. "The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian

Bible" (May 24, 2001)o See also Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: "On the Relationship between the Magisterium and

Exegetes" (May 10, 2003) - an address presented "On the 100th Anniversary of the

Pontifical Biblical Commission"; another copy atEWTN Library

Papal Documents (most available from the Vatican Website): Pope Leo XIII:

o EncyclicalProvidentissimus Deus ("On the Study of Holy Scripture" -

November 18, 1893)o Apostolic LetterVigilantiae Studiique("Instituting a Pontifical Commission for Biblical

Studies" - October 30, 1902) Pope Pius X:

o Apostolic LetterQuoniam in re biblica ("On the Study of Scripture in Seminaries" -

March 27, 1906)

o EncyclicalPascendi Dominici Gregis ("On the Doctrines of the

Modernists" - September 8, 1907) - another copy at CINo Motu Propio LetterPraestantia Scripturae Sacrae("On the Decisions of the Biblical

Commission" - November 18, 1907 - on Vatican website in Latin and Italian; English

version at EWTN Library)o Apostolic LetterVinea Electa ("Establishing the Pontifical Biblical Institute" - May 7,

1909 - on Vatican website only in Latin)

Pope Benedict XV:

o EncyclicalSpiritus Paraclitus ("On St. Jerome" - September 15, 1920)

Pope Pius XI:o Motu Propio LetterBibliorum Scientiam ("On Academic Standards for Teachers of

Scripture" - April 27, 1924) Pope Pius XII:

o EncyclicalDIVINO AFFLANTE SPIRITU("On the Most Opportune

Way to Promote Biblical Studies" - September 30, 1943) - another copy fromCIN

o EncyclicalHumani Generis ("On Certain False Opinions Threatening to

Undermine the Foundations of Catholic Doctrine" - August 12, 1950) - seeesp. paragraphs 21-25 & 35-39

Pope Paul VI:o Apostolic LetterSedula Cura ("On New Laws Regulating the Pontifical Biblical

Commission" - June 27, 1971) - in Latin and Italian only
http://www.originsonline.com/http://www.originsonline.com/http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PBCINTER.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=4484http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htm#PBCTexthttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20020212_popolo-ebraico_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20020212_popolo-ebraico_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030510_ratzinger-comm-bible_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030510_ratzinger-comm-bible_en.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/PBC100.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/PBC100.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_18111893_providentissimus-deus_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/apost_letters/documents/hf_l-xiii_apl_19021030_vigilantiae-studiique_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/apost_letters/documents/hf_l-xiii_apl_19021030_vigilantiae-studiique_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-x_enc_19070908_pascendi-dominici-gregis_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/docs/pascdomi.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-x_motu-proprio_19071118_praestantia-scripturae_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-x_motu-proprio_19071118_praestantia-scripturae_it.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P10PRASC.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-x_apl_19090507_vinea-electa_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xv_enc_15091920_spiritus-paraclitus_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/docs/diviaffl.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/docs/diviaffl.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19710627_sedula-cura_it.htmlhttp://www.originsonline.com/http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PBCINTER.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=4484http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htm#PBCTexthttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_HistTruthFitzmyer.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_doc_index.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20020212_popolo-ebraico_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20020212_popolo-ebraico_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030510_ratzinger-comm-bible_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/pcb_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030510_ratzinger-comm-bible_en.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/PBC100.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_18111893_providentissimus-deus_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/apost_letters/documents/hf_l-xiii_apl_19021030_vigilantiae-studiique_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-x_enc_19070908_pascendi-dominici-gregis_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/docs/pascdomi.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-x_motu-proprio_19071118_praestantia-scripturae_it.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P10PRASC.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_x/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-x_apl_19090507_vinea-electa_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xv_enc_15091920_spiritus-paraclitus_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.htmlhttp://www.cin.org/docs/diviaffl.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19710627_sedula-cura_it.html


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o Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission: "On the Ecclesial Role of

Biblical Studies" (March 14, 1974) - in French only Pope John Paul II:

o Apostolic Constitution Scripturarum Thesaurus: "Promulgating the Neo-Vulgate Edition

of the Holy Bible" (April 25, 1979) - Latin text from the Vatican Website; EnglishTranslationat EWTN Library

o Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission: "On the BiblicalSciences and the Teaching Office of the Church" (April 26, 1979) - original French text;

Italian translation also available on the Vatican websiteo Address Commemorating the 25th Anniversary ofDei Verbum (Dec. 14, 1990) - on

Vatican website in French and Italian only

o Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission: "On the Nature of

Catholic Interpretation of the Bible"(April 11, 1991) - on Vatican website in French and

Italian only

o Address on the Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (April 23, 1993) - on Vatican

website in French, Italian, Portugese, and Swahili; English translation in Daughters of St.

Paul edition of "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church"o Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences: "Truth Cannot Contradict Truth"

(October 22, 1996) - from the New Advent websiteo Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission: "On the Role of the Old

Testament for Knowing Jesus" (April 11, 1997) - Italian text and Portuguese translation

from Vatican website;English translationat EWTN Libraryo Address to a Conference on Biblical Language and Media (Sept. 28, 1998) - brief

welcoming addresso Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (April 29, 2003) - brief

welcoming addresso Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (April 20, 2004) - brief

welcoming address Pope Benedict XVI:

o Address to the Participants in the International Congress Organized to Commemorate the

40th Anniversary of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation "Dei Verbum"(Sept. 16, 2005) - brief welcoming address

o Weekly Angelus Message (Nov. 6, 2005) - brief comments focusing on Dei Verbum and

the Sacred Scriptureso Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (April 27, 2006) - brief

welcoming addresso General Audience (Nov. 7, 2007) - focusing on fourth-century biblical scholar St. Jerome

(part 1)o General Audience (Nov. 14, 2007) - focusing on fourth-century biblical scholar St.

Jerome (part 2)o Address to the Members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (April 23, 2009) - brief

welcoming addresso Address to Professors, Students and Personnel of the Pontifical Biblical Institute (October

26, 2009) - on the 100th Anniversary of the foundation of the PBIo

See also a page in honor of the Holy Father:Sixteen Biblical Blessings for Pope Benedict XVI

Neo-Vulgate Bible: Nova Vulgata Bibliorum Sacrorum Editio - entire Latin text, from the Vatican

website - another copy atDomus Ecclesiae

Other Biblically-Related Writings:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1974/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19740314_pont-commissione-biblica_fr.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1974/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19740314_pont-commissione-biblica_fr.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_jp-ii_apost_const_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_jp-ii_apost_const_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_jp-ii_apost_const_lt.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JPTHESAU.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JPTHESAU.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JPTHESAU.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1979/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19790426_pont-com-biblica_fr.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1990/december/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19901214_xxv-dei-verbum_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1990/december/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19901214_xxv-dei-verbum_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1990/december/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19901214_xxv-dei-verbum_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1991/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19910411_pont-commissione-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1991/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19910411_pont-commissione-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1991/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19910411_pont-commissione-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1993/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19930423_interpr-bibbia_it.htmlhttp://www.newadvent.org/docs/jp02tc.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1997/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19970411_pont-com-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2PBC.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2PBC.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2PBC.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1998/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19980928_linguagem-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2003/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20030429_pont-comm-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2004/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20040420_biblical-commission_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050916_40-dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050916_40-dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050916_40-dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20051106_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060427_pont-comm-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20071107_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20071114_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2009/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20090423_pcb_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091026_pib_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/Blessings-Benedict.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_index_lt.htmlhttp://www.domus-ecclesiae.de/biblia-sacra/biblia-sacra.nova-vulgata.introductio.htmlhttp://www.domus-ecclesiae.de/biblia-sacra/biblia-sacra.nova-vulgata.introductio.htmlhttp://www.domus-ecclesiae.de/biblia-sacra/biblia-sacra.nova-vulgata.introductio.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1974/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19740314_pont-commissione-biblica_fr.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_jp-ii_apost_const_lt.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JPTHESAU.htmhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JPTHESAU.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1979/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19790426_pont-com-biblica_fr.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1990/december/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19901214_xxv-dei-verbum_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1991/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19910411_pont-commissione-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1991/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19910411_pont-commissione-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1993/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19930423_interpr-bibbia_it.htmlhttp://www.newadvent.org/docs/jp02tc.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1997/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19970411_pont-com-biblica_it.htmlhttp://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2PBC.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1998/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19980928_linguagem-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2003/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20030429_pont-comm-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2004/april/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20040420_biblical-commission_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050916_40-dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050916_40-dei-verbum_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20051106_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060427_pont-comm-biblica_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20071107_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20071114_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2009/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20090423_pcb_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091026_pib_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/Blessings-Benedict.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_index_lt.htmlhttp://www.domus-ecclesiae.de/biblia-sacra/biblia-sacra.nova-vulgata.introductio.html


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Verbum Domini("The Word of the Lord") the "post-synodal apostolic

exhortation," resulting from the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of

Bishops, which met in Rome on Oct. 5-26, 2008, and was devoted to "The Wordof God in the Life and Mission of the Church"

o "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church" - the

"Instrumentum Laboris" of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of theSynod of Bishops.

"Letter to the Bishops' Conferences on the Name of God" - from the Congregation

for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, June 29, 2008; directing

the avoidance of pronouncing YHWH in liturgical contexts

Liturgiam authenticam (Fifth Instruction "For the Right Implementation of the

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council"); from the

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (March28, 2001)

o Latin Text;English Translation;Vatican Press Releaseo Responses from the Catholic Biblical Association of America: Letter to the U.S. Bishops;

Presentation by Fr. Richard Clifford, S.J. Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know - a short book by

biblical scholar Ronald Witherup, S.S. (Liturgical Press, 2001)

"The Fundamentalist Challenge" - a four-page flyer, by biblical scholar Raymond

E. Brown, S.S. (May 1990, Catholic Update series)

"Toward Your Happiness: Catholicism and Fundamentalism: A Contrast" - A

Pastoral Letter to Catholics in Mississippi and Alabama (June 29, 1989)

"A Pastoral Statement for Catholics on Biblical Fundamentalism" - from the U.S.

bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Biblical Fundamentalism (Washington: USCCB,

1987)

"The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ" - a.k.a. the Christmas Proclamation;

published by the USCCB; here is my own comparative analysis of Old and New

Translations

Published Collections of Church Documents (some out-of-print by now, but stillavailable in good libraries):

Bchard, S.J., Dean P., ed. The Scripture Documents: An Anthology of Official

Catholic Teachings . Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002. -

Lysik, David, ed. The Bible Documents: A Parish Resource . Chicago: Liturgy

Training Publications, 2001. - contains the most important documents, butslightly fewer than the above collection

Raymond E. Brown, S.S., and Thomas Aquinas Collins, O.P., "Church

Pronouncements," in:The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (Englewood Cliffs,NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990) 1166-74. - an excellent survey article

Catechism of the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana,

1994 & 2000. - see esp. articles "The Revelation of God" (50-73), "The

Transmission of Divine Revelation (74-100), and "Sacred Scripture" (101-41).
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20080511_instrlabor-xii-assembly_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/CDWDS-Name-of-God-2008.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_comunicato-stampa_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_comunicato-stampa_en.htmlhttp://cba.cua.edu/usccblet.cfmhttp://cba.cua.edu/usccbdoc.cfmhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814627226?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814627226http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0590.asphttp://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/resources/fundmntl.htmhttp://www.geocities.com/xman1892/sp004.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/ChristmasProclamation.htmhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814625916?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814625916http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814625916?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814625916http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568542496?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1568542496http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0225668033?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0225668033http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0225668033?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0225668033http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/index_en.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20080511_instrlabor-xii-assembly_en.htmlhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/CDWDS-Name-of-God-2008.htmhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_lt.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_liturgiam-authenticam_en.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20010507_comunicato-stampa_en.htmlhttp://cba.cua.edu/usccblet.cfmhttp://cba.cua.edu/usccbdoc.cfmhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814627226?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814627226http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0590.asphttp://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/resources/fundmntl.htmhttp://www.geocities.com/xman1892/sp004.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/ChristmasProclamation.htmhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814625916?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814625916http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814625916?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0814625916http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568542496?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1568542496http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0225668033?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0225668033


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The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church. 6th

edition. Jacques Dupuis, ed. New York: Alba House, 1996. - see esp. ch. 1:

"Revelation and Faith"; and ch. 2: "Tradition and Scripture." Enchiridion symbolorum definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et

morum. 37th edition. Heinrich Denzinger and AdolfSchnmetzer, eds.

Freiburg, Basel, Rome & Vienna: Herder, 1991. Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations . Revised translation.

Austin Flannery, O.P. New York: Costello, 1996.

Older Collections:

o Megivern, James J., ed. Official Catholic Teachings: Biblical

Interpretation. Wilmington, NC: Consortium Books, 1978.

o Rome and the Study of Scripture: A collection of papal enactments on the

study of Holy Scripture together with the decision of the BiblicalCommission. 7th edition. St. Meinrad, IN: 1962.

o Enchiridion Biblicum: documenta ecclesiastica Sacram Scripturam

spectantia. 4th edition. Naples & Rome, 1961.

The New Testament Canonby Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

this page also contains below:Eight Tips about Canonical Arrangement| Ten Stages of NT Formation and

Transmission

Four Criteria for Canonicity | Four-Fold Role of the Evangelists as Authors

The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genre(Numbers in parentheses after each book indicate the total number of chapters / verses / words in the

Greek version; for more details, see myNT Statisticspage)

The NT is normally divided into four main parts (Gospels, Acts, Letters, Apocalypse),

although the twenty-one "Letters" are best subdivided into three different sub-categories:

I) Four "Gospels": "Good News" about Jesus Christ; authorship

attributed to the four "Evangelists"; narrative portraits of Jesus

written for various early Christian communities; similar toancient biographies in form (but ratherdifferentfrom modern

biographies!):

The Synoptic Gospels:Matthew (28 / 1071 / 18345)Mark (16 / 678 / 11304)

Luke (24 / 1151 / 19482)

The Fourth Gospel:

John (21 / 879 / 15635)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0918344379?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0918344379http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Arrangement%23Arrangementhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Arrangement%23Arrangementhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stages%23Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stages%23Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Canonicity%23Canonicityhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Evangelists%23Evangelistshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htmhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0918344379?ie=UTF8&tag=catholresour-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0918344379http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Arrangement%23Arrangementhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stages%23Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Stages%23Stageshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Canonicity%23Canonicityhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT_Canon.htm#Evangelists%23Evangelistshttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/NT-Statistics-Greek.htm


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II) One "Acts": a partial narrative account of the growth of the Early Church; a

continuation of Luke's Gospel; contains historical materials, but is nota complete

"history" of apostolic Christianity (at least not by modern historical standards):

The Acts of the Apostles (28 / 1005 / 18451)

III) Twenty-One "Letters" or "Epistles": written by (or attributed to) various early

Christian leaders, known as apostles

IIIa) Thirteen Letters attributed to Paul: real letters written by Paul (or his associates)

toparticular communities or individuals, concerning various local problems and issues:

Letters sentto Christian communities in the following cities:

Romans (16 / 433 / 7111)

1 Corinthians (16 / 437 / 6829)

2 Corinthians (13 / 256 / 4477)

Galatians (6 / 149 / 2230)Ephesians (6 / 155 / 2422)

Philippians (4 / 104 / 1629)Colossians (4 / 95 / 1582)

1 Thessalonians (5 / 89 / 1481)

2 Thessalonians (3 / 47 / 823)

Letters addressedto individual Christian leaders:1 Timothy (6 / 113 / 1591)

2 Timothy (4 / 83 / 1238)

Titus (3 / 46 / 659)

Philemon (1 / 25 / 335)

Notes on the Pauline Letters:

* 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Titus are usually called the "Pastoral Letters" since they are addressed to leaders or

"shepherds" of Christian communities.

* Eph, Phil, Col, Phlm are sometimes called "Prison Letters" since Paul apparently wrote them while in

prison (Eph 3:1; 4:1; Phil 1:7, 13-14; Col 4:3, 10; Phlm 9-10).* Rom, 1 Cor, 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, 1Thess, Phlm are often called the "Undisputed Letters," since most

scholars agree they were written by Paul himself.* Eph, Col, 2 Thess, and 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Titus are often called the "Disputed" or "Deuteropauline Letters,"

since many scholars believe they were written by Paul's followers after his death, rather than by Paul

himself; but scholarly opinion is divided, with some scholars arguing for their authenticity.

IIIb) One Biblical Sermon: interprets Jesus in light of the OT; in the past sometimesattributed to Paul, but neither the author nor the audience is explicitly mentioned:

Hebrews (13 / 303 / 4953)


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IIIc) Seven Catholic Epistles or General Letters: authorship attributed to other

apostles (for whom they are named!); most not written to

individual communities, but to broader audiences ("catholic" ="general, universal"):

James (5 / 108 / 1742)1 Peter (5 / 105 / 1684)

2 Peter (3 / 61 / 1099)1 John (5 / 105 / 2141)

2 John (1 / 13 / 245)

3 John (1 / 15 / 219)Jude (1 / 25 / 461)

IV) One "Apocalypse": a highly symbolic narrative that interprets a historical crisis and

provides hope for a better future:

The Book of Revelation (22 / 404 / 9825)

For more information on all the above, please see myBiblical Glossary.

Eight Tips about the Canonical Arrangement of the NT (to help you learn thecorrect order of the 27 NT books):

1. The 27 books of the New Testament areNOTlisted in chronologicalorder (theorder in which they were written historically); several otherprinciples were

operative.

2. The overall order begins with the life of Jesus (four Gospels), then deals with thebeginnings and expansion of the Church (Acts), then addresses particularissues

and problems in early Christianity (Letters, Epistles), and finally focuses on the

Eschaton or "End Times"(as described symbolically in the Book of Revelation).3. The four Gospels are listed in what was traditionally regarded as their

chronological order (i.e., Matthew was thought to be the oldest Gospel); most

scholars today, however, believe thatMarkwas the first written Gospel (or at

least the oldest of the four canonical Gospels in their full versions, as we knowthem today).

4. The Acts of the Apostles was originally the second volume of Luke's two-volume

work; but when the four Gospels were grouped together, Acts was placed after

John.5. The Pauline Letters (written by, or at least attributed to Paul) are divided into

two sub-groups: those written to communities and those addressed to individuals;within each sub-group, the letters are arranged notin chronological order, but

rather in decreasing order of length (more or less, although Galatians is slightly

shorter than Ephesians).6. The anonymous "Letter to the Hebrews" comes immediately after the Pauline

letters because people usedto think it too was written by Paul; it may have been
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Glossary.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Glossary.htmhttp://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Glossary.htm


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written by one of his followers, but was almost certainly notwritten by Paul

himself.

7. The Catholic or General Epistles are also listed in decreasing order of length,although letters attributed to the same apostle are grouped together.

8. The Book of Revelation (singular! not"Revelations"!) closes out the NT canon,

since it concludes with a description of the end of time (New Heavens, NewEarth, New Jerusalem, etc.).

Ten Stages of NT Formation and Transmission (with considerablechronological overlap, continuing down to today):Some scholars (including the PBC) propose only 3 stages (Historical Events, Oral

Tradition, Written Texts), others 5 stages (Historical Events, Oral Tradition,Written Tradition, Editing, Canonization); the following schema more

comprehensively lists 10 stages, many of which overlap:

1. The Historical Jesus - words are spoken and deeds are

performed by Jesus himself during his lifetime on earth.

2. Oral Tradition - traditions and beliefs about Jesus are

developed and passed on by early Christian communities.3. Written Sources - some of the miracles and/or sayings of Jesus are compiled and

recorded in early written documents.

4. Written Texts - individual letters, full Gospels, etc., are written with particularmessages for particular situations.

5. Distribution - some writings are copied and shared with other Christian

communities throughout the Mediterranean.6. Collection - certain Christians begin collecting the letters of Paul and gathering

together several different Gospels.

7. Canonization - four Gospels, several collections of letters, and a few other textsare accepted as authoritative scriptures.

8. Translation - biblical texts are translated into ever more ancient and modernlanguages: Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, etc.

9. Interpretation - the meaning of the scriptures is investigated on various levels:

literal, spiritual, historical, social, etc.

10.Application - communities and individuals use the NT for practical purposes:

liturgical, moral, sacramental, theological, etc.

Four Criteria for Canonicity (why certain books were eventually accepted into theNT Canon, while others were rejected):

1. Apostolic Origin- attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the

first-generation apostles (or their closest companions).

2. Universal Acceptance- acknowledged by all major Christian communities in theMediterranean world (by the end of the fourth century).

3. Liturgical Use- read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered

for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services).

4. Consistent Message- containing theological ideas compatible with other acceptedChristian writings (incl. the divinity andhumanity Jesus).
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Four-Fold Role of the Evangelists as Authors(what they contributed, even if"God is the Author" of all scripture):Compare this list with the principles mentioned in the Pontifical Biblical Commission's 1964Instruction on

the Historical Truth of the Gospels,par. IX.

1. Selectors- from among the many things Jesus said and did, they chose which

stories they wanted to include and which to omit.

2. Arrangers- they organized the materials in a particular sequence, not necessarilychronologically but often in thematic blocks.

3. Shapers- they adapted and edited the individual stories from their sources so as

to emphasize the themes they wanted to stress.4. Proclaimers- they were not objective historians, but preached the "good news"

about Jesus in ways appropriate to their audiences.

Early Christian Texts Quoted by Eusebius

on the Authorship of the Gospels and the Book of

Revelation

compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea(c. 260 - c. 340) was the first Christian writer to compose a large"History of the Church," covering the entire period from the first Apostles down to his own day in ten

volumes. This "Ecclesiastical History" is our principal source for the history of the early Church. It

includes many summaries, short excerpts, and longer quotations from the writings of previous Christianleaders and authors, whose works have not survived independently. Although the exact meanings of some

of these passages are difficult to determine and are highly disputed among scholars, they are usually our

earliest sources for the opinions of the first few generations of Christians.

[Note: The following translations are from "The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers; Second Series; Volume

1." Subtitles and square brackets below are my own explanatory additions.]

On the Composition of Mark and Matthew, citing Papias [Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia

Minor; lived ca. 60-130 AD]:Papias gives also in his own work other accounts of the words of the Lord on the authority ofAristion

who was mentioned above, and traditions as handed down by the presbyter John; to which we refer those

who are fond of learning. But now we must add to the words of his which we have already quoted the

tradition which he gives in regard to MARK, the author of the Gospel. It is in the following words: "This

also the presbyter said:Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not

indeed in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things done or said by Christ. For he neither heard theLord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs

of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark

committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one

thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely." These things

are related by Papias concerning Mark. But concerning MATTHEW he writes as follows: "So then

Matthew wrote the oracles in the Hebrew language, and every one interpreted them as he was able." And

the same writer uses testimonies from the first Epistle of John and from that of Peter likewise. And he

relates another story of a woman, who was accused of many sins before the Lord, which is contained in the
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Gospel according to the Hebrews. These things we have thought it necessary to observe in addition to

what has already been stated. (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 3.39.14-17)

On the Composition of Mark, citing Clement of Alexandria [Bishop of Alexandria in

Egypt; lived ca. 150-215]:And thus when the divine word had made its home among them [the Christians in Rome], the power of

Simon [the magician] was quenched and immediately destroyed, together with the man himself. And so

greatly did the splendor of piety illumine the minds of PETER'S hearers that they were not satisfied withhearing once only, and were not content with the unwritten teaching of the divine Gospel, but with all sorts

of entreaties they besoughtMARK, a follower of Peter, and the one whose Gospel is extant, that he would

leave them a written monument of the doctrine which had been orally communicated to them.Nor did they

cease until they had prevailed with the man, and had thus become the occasion of the written Gospel whichbears the name ofMARK. And they say that Peter when he had learned, through a revelation of the Spirit,

of that which had been done, was pleased with the zeal of the men, and that the work obtained the sanctionof his authority for the purpose of being used in the churches. Clement in the eighth book of his

Hypotyposes gives this account, and with him agrees the bishop of Hierapolis named Papias. And Peter

makes mention of Mark in his first epistle which they say that he wrote in Rome itself, as is indicated by

him, when he calls the city, by a figure, Babylon, as he does in the following words: "The church that is at

Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son" (1 Peter 5:13). And they say

that this Mark was the first that was sent to Egypt, and that he proclaimed the Gospel which he had written,

and first established churches in Alexandria. (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 2.15.1-2, 2.16.1)On the Composition and Order of all Four Gospels, again citing Clement of

Alexandria:Again, in the same books [theHypotyposes], Clement gives the tradition of the earliest presbyters, as to the

order of the Gospels, in the following manner: "The Gospels containing the genealogies [i.e. Matthew and

Luke], he says, were written first. The Gospel according to MARKhad this occasion. As Peter had

preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present

requested that Mark, who had followed him for a long time and remembered his sayings, should write themout. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of this,

he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it.But, last of all,JOHN, perceiving that the external facts hadbeen made plain in the Gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual

Gospel." This is the account of Clement. (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 6.14.5-7).

That the Fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation were by Two Different People

named "John"; citing Dionysius of Alexandria [Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt; died ca. 264]Afterward he [DIONYSIUS] speaks in this manner of the Apocalypse of John. "Some before us have set

aside and rejected the book altogether, criticizing it chapter by chapter, and pronouncing it without sense or

argument, and maintaining that the title is fraudulent. For they say that it is not the work of John, nor is it a

revelation, because it is covered thickly and densely by a veil of obscurity. And they affirm that none of the

apostles, rend none of the saints, nor any one in the Church is its author, but that Cerinthus, who founded

the sect which was called after him the Cerinthian, desiring reputable authority for his fiction, prefixed the

name. For the doctrine which he taught was this: that the kingdom of Christ will be an earthly one. And ashe was himself devoted to the pleasures of the body and altogether sensual in his nature, he dreamed that

that kingdom would consist in those things which he desired, namely, in the delights of the belly and of

sexual passion; that is to say, in eating and drinking and marrying, and in festivals and sacrifices and the

slaying of victims, under the guise of which he thought he could indulge his appetites with a better grace.

But I could not venture to reject the book, as many brethren hold it in high esteem. But I suppose that it is

beyond my comprehension, and that there is a certain concealed and more wonderful meaning in everypart. For if I do not understand I suspect that a deeper sense lies beneath the words. I do not measure and

judge them by my own reason, but leaving the more to faith regard them as too high for me to grasp. And I

do not reject what I cannot comprehend, but rather wonder because I do not understand it."

After this he examines the entire Book of Revelation, and having proved that it is impossible to understand

it according to the literal sense, proceeds as follows: "Having finished all the prophecy, so to speak, the

prophet pronounces those blessed who shall observe it, and also himself. For he says, 'Blessed is he that

keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book, and I, John, who saw and heard these things' (Rev 22:7-8).


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Therefore that he was calledJohn, and that this book is the work of oneJohn, I do not deny. And I agree

also that it is the work of a holy and inspired man.But I cannot readily admit that he was the apostle, the

son of Zebedee, the brother of James, by whom the Gospel of John and the Catholic Epistle were written.

For I judge from the character of both, and the forms of expression, and the entire execution of the book,

that it is not his.For the evangelist nowhere gives his name, or proclaims himself, either in the Gospel orEpistle."

Farther on he [Dionysius] adds: "But John never speaks as if referring to himself, or as if referring to

another person. But the author of the Apocalypse introduces himself at the very beginning: 'The Revelation

of Jesus Christ, which he gave him to show unto his servants quickly; and he sent and signified it by his

angel unto his servant John, who bare witness of the word of God and of his testimony, even of all things

that he saw' (Rev 1:1-2). Then he writes also an epistle: 'John to the seven churches which are in Asia,

grace be with you, and peace' (Rev 1:4). But the evangelist did not prefix his name even to the Catholic

Epistle; but without introduction he begins with the mystery of the divine revelation itself: 'That which wasfrom the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes' (1 John 1:1). For because of

such a revelation the Lord also blessed Peter, saying, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and

blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my heavenly Father' (Matt 16:17).But neither in the reputed

second or third epistle of John, though they are very short, does the nameJohn appear; but there is written

the anonymous phrase, 'the elder'(2 John 1; 3 John 1). But this author did not consider it sufficient to give

his name once and to proceed with his work; but he takes it up again: 'I, John, who also am your brother

and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and in the patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is

called Patmos for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus' (Rev 1:9). And toward the close he speaksthus: 'Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book, and I, John, who saw and heard

these things' (Rev 22:7-8).But that he who wrote these things was called John must be believed, as he says

it; but who he was does not appear. For he did not say, as often in the Gospel, that he was the beloved

disciple of the Lord, or the one who lay on his breast, or the brother of James, or the eyewitness and hearer

of the Lord. For he would have spoken of these things if he had wished to show himself plainly. But he

says none of them; but speaks of himself as our brother and companion, and a witness of Jesus, and blessed

because he had seen and heard the revelations. But I am of the opinion that there were many with the same

name as the apostle John, who, on account of their love for him, and because they admired and emulatedhim, and desired to be loved by the Lord as he was, took to themselves the same surname, as many of the

children of the faithful are called Paul or Peter. For example, there is also another John, surnamed Mark,

mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, whom Barnabas and Paul took with them (Acts 12:25), of whom

also it is said, 'And they had also John as their attendant' (Acts 13:5). But that it is he who wrote this, Iwould not say. For it not written that he went with them into Asia, but, 'Now when Paul and his company

set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem'

(Acts 13:13). But I think that he was some other one of those in Asia; as they say that there are two

monuments in Ephesus, each bearing the name of John." (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 7.25.1-16)

That Papias was a hearer of the presbyter John, not the evangelist John, since there

were two Johns in Ephesus:There are extant five books of PAPIAS (ca. 60-130; bishop of Hierapolis), which bear the titleExpositions

of Oracles of the Lord. IRENAEUS (ca. 130-200, bishop of Lyons) makes mention of these as the only

works written by him, in the following words: "These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who

was a hearer of John and a companion of POLYCARP (ca. 69-155, bishop of Smyrna), in his fourth

book. For five books have been written by him." These are the words of Irenaeus.But Papias himselfin the preface to his discourses by no means declares that he was himself a hearer andeye-witness of the holy apostles, but he shows by the words which he uses that he received the doctrines of

the faith from those who were their friends. He says: "But I shall not hesitate also to put down for you

along with my interpretation whatsoever things I have at any time learned carefully from the elders and

carefully remembered, guaranteeing their truth. For I did not, like the multitude, take pleasure in those that

speak much, but in those that teach the truth; not in those that relate strange commandments, but in those

that deliver the commandments given by the Lord to faith, and springing from the truth itself. If, then, any

one came, who had been a follower of the elders, I questioned him in regard to the words of the elders,-

what Andrew or what Peter said, or what was said by Philip, or by Thomas or by James, or by John, or by


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Matthew or by any other of the disciples of the Lord, and what things Aristion and the presbyter John,

the disciples of the Lord, say.For I did not think that what was to be gotten from the books would profit me

as much as what came from the living and abiding voice." It is worth while observing here that the name

John is twice enumerated by him. The first one he mentions in connection with Peter and James and

Matthew and the rest of the apostles, clearly meaning the evangelist; but the other John he mentions afteran interval, and places him among others outside of the number of the apostles, putting Aristion before him,

and he distinctly calls him apresbyter. This shows that the statement of those is true, who say that therewere two persons in Asia that bore the same name, and that there were two tombs in Ephesus, each of

which, even to the present day is called John's. It is important to notice this. For it is probable that it was

the second, if one is not willing to admit that it was the first that saw the Revelation, which is ascribed by

name to John. And Papias, of whom we are now speaking, confesses that he received the words of the

apostles from those who followed them, but says that he was himself a hearer of Aristion and the presbyter

John. At least he mentions them frequently by name, and gives their traditions in his writings. These things,we hope, have not been uselessly adduced by us." (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 3.39.1-7)

That the Apostle John lived to old age in Ephesus, citing Irenaeus [Bishop of Lyon inSouthern France; lived c. 130 - c. 200)At this time, while Anicetus was at the head of the church of Rome (ca. 155-66), IRENAEUS relates that

Polycarp, who was still alive, was at Rome, and that he had a conference with Anicetus on a questionconcerning the day of the paschal feast. And the same writer gives another account of Polycarp which I feel

constrained to add to that which has been already related in regard to him. The account is taken from the

third book of Irenaeus' workAgainst Heresies, and is as follows: "But Polycarp also was not only

instructed by apostles, and acquainted with many that had seen Christ, but was also appointed by apostles

in Asia bishop of the church of Smyrna. We too saw him in our early youth; for he lived a long time, and

died, when a very old man, a glorious and most illustrious martyr's death, having always taught the things

which he had learned from the apostles, which the Church also hands down, and which alone are true. To

these things all the Asiatic churches testify, as do also those who, down to the present time, have succeededPolycarp, who was a much more trustworthy and certain witness of truth than Valentinus and Marcion and

the rest of the heretics. He also was in Rome in the time of Anicetus and caused many to turn away from

the above-mentioned heretics to the Church of God, proclaiming that he had received from the apostles this

one and only system of truth which has been transmitted by the Church. And there are those that heard

from him (Polycarp) that John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe in Ephesus and seeing Cerinthus

within, ran out of the bath-house without bathing, crying, 'Let us flee, lest even the bath fall, because

Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.' And Polycarp himself, when Marcion once met him and said,

'Knowest thou us?' replied, 'I know the first born of Satan.' Such caution did the apostles and their disciplesexercise that they might not even converse with any of those who perverted the truth; as Paul also said, 'A

man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing he that is such is subverted and

sinneth, being condemned of himself' (Titus 3:10-11). There is also a very powerful epistle of Polycarp

written to the Philippians, from which those that wish to do so, and that are concerned for their own

salvation, may learn the character of his faith and the preaching of the truth." Such is the account of

Irenaeus. (Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History 4.14.1-8)

Structural and Geographical Comparisons:

GOSPEL acc. to... MARK MATT LUKE JOHN

Approximate Date very late 60's late 70's (or 80's) (late 70's) or 80's late 80's or 90's


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Introduction:Literary PrefaceGenealogyInfancy Narrative

1:1

1:1 ("good news")xxxxxx

1:12:23xxx1:1-171:182:23

1:12:521:1-4 ("orderly account")[3:23-38]1:52:52

1:1-18 (prologue)1:1-18 ("Word of God")xxx[1:14]

Preparatory Episodes:John Baptist's PreachingBaptism of JesusTemptation of Jesus

1:2-13

1:2-81:9-111:12-13

3:14:11

3:1-123:13-174:1-11

3:14:13

3:1-203:21-224:1-13

1:1-51

1:19-36[1:31-33]xxx

Jesus' Early Ministry,mostly to Jews in Galilee:Initial PreachingCall of First DisciplesOutside of Galilee

1:148:211:14-151:16-205:1-20; 7:248:13

4:1216:124:12-174:18-228:28-34; 15:21-28

4:149:174:14-305:1-118:26-39; xxx

[Ch. 2A, 4, 6]xxx1:35-51xxx

On the Way to JerusalemInitial Stages1st Passion Prediction

2nd Passion PredictionTo Jerusalem Itself

3rd Passion Prediction

8:2210:52

8:229:508:31-339:30-3210:1-52

10:32-34

16:1320:34

16:13-18:3516:21-2317:22-2319:120:34

20:17-19

9:1819:27

9:18-509:229:43b-459:5119:27

18:31-34

[xxx][7:1-9]xxxxxx[2:13; 5:1; 7:10]

xxx

Ministry in JerusalemTeachings & DisputesEschatological Discourse

11:113:3711:112:4413:1-37

21:125:4621:123:3924:1-36

19:2821:38

19:121:421:5-36

[Ch. 2B, 3, 5, 7-12]most of thisxxx

Passion WeekLast SupperCrucifixion

14:115:4714:17-3115:22-41

26:127:6626:20-3527:33-56

22:123:5622:14 -3823:33-49

13:119:4213:117:2619:17-37

Resurrection NarrativeEmpty Tomb Story

Appearance Stories

16:1-8

16:1-8xxx [16:9-20 added later]

28:1-2028:1-828:9-10, 16-20

24:1-5324:1-1224:13-53

20:1-31 [21:1-25 added later]20:1-1320:14-31; 21:1-25