Authors of the Bible: Difference between revisions
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== Old Testament/Hebrew Bible== | == Old Testament/Hebrew Bible== | ||
=== | === Pentateuch=== | ||
Moses is said by Jewish and Christian tradition to be the author of the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. However, the dating of these works has caused debate of Mosaic authorship. | Moses is said by Jewish and Christian tradition to be the author of the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. However, the dating of these works has caused debate of Mosaic authorship. Mosaic authorship of Exodus is more plausible than of Genesis, because this is the first text in which the story of Moses himself is chronicled. Deuteronomy is the most debated of the books if the Pentateuch in terms of authorship. As much of it is a restating of the laws (hence the name) it may have been written at a much later period. Many believe that the same author is responsible for Deuteronomy who wrote Joshua and Judges. The ending of Deuteronomy accounts the death of Moses, so at least this section is usually attributed to Joshua himself or some other author. However, some traditions do hold to Mosaic authorship of the whole text, including his death. | ||
=== | === Early History=== | ||
Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles | |||
=== | === Writings=== | ||
Ruth, 1 & 2 Esdras, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1-4 Maccabees | |||
=== | === Poetry=== | ||
Psalms, Odes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus | |||
Psalms is impossible to attribute to one author, as each psalm must be treated individually. David certainly composed most of them, with several of his friends composing many of the rest. The narrator of Ecclesiastes goes only by the name Ecclesiastes (Greek) or Qohelet(h) (Hebrew). Roughly translated this could mean "Teacher," "Pastor," or "Teacher." He claims to have been King of Israel in Jerusalem, but this could have easily been an appeal to credibility which was a very common practice in this era. Authorship is most commonly attributed to Solomon, but it could very well be any Jewish man, likely later in life, who wished to advise future generations. The opening line "The Song of Songs of Solomon" seems to verify the authorship of this work easily, but like Ecclesiastes, this could merely have been an appeal to credibility. Likewise, the author could have been referring to Solomon as a recognizable figure: one who was known for his appeal to women. The book is very emphatic on the feminine point of view, which has lead many to suggest female authorship at least in part. Affirming one author of the Song is nearly impossible as its appeal to various cultures and the vocabularies of various time periods leads one to believe that it evolved over time and cultures. It has strong similarities to Egyptian love poetry and may have first been inspired by that form of literature. | |||
=== | === Major Prophets=== | ||
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel | |||
The works of the "major" and "minor" prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) are often attributed to their namesakes. Isaiah is no exception. | The works of the "major" and "minor" prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) are often attributed to their namesakes. Isaiah is no exception. | ||
=== | === Minor Prophets=== | ||
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi | |||
== New Testament== | == New Testament== | ||
=== | === Gospels=== | ||
Matthew was most likely written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi. Source critics believe that the author drew much of his material from the gospel of Mark and a hypothetical source that contained many sayings of Jesus, often termed "Q." | Matthew was most likely written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi. Source critics believe that the author drew much of his material from the gospel of Mark and a hypothetical source that contained many sayings of Jesus, often termed "Q." Mark is widely accepted as the first gospel written about Jesus. It was probably written by John Mark, a close friend of the apostle Peter, and a missionary associate of Paul and Barnabas. Luke is the first of a two-volume work, the second being Acts. Luke was the most likely author; he was a close associate of Paul. Like Matthew, he likely drew heavily from Mark and "Q." The Gospel of John is the last gospel written, and was quite certainly composed by the Apostle John near the end of the first century. The lack of parallels to many of the stories in the other Gospels demonstrates that he was not likely relying on the same sources of the authors. John himself is also unique in that he would have had more personal contact with Jesus himself than the other authors, and he wrote after Christianity had developed further; thus, his focus was very different. | ||
Mark is widely accepted as the first gospel written about Jesus. It was probably written by John Mark, a close friend of the apostle Peter, and a missionary associate of Paul and Barnabas. | |||
Luke is the first of a two-volume work, the second being Acts. Luke was the most likely author; he was a close associate of Paul. Like Matthew, he likely drew heavily from Mark and "Q." | |||
The Gospel of John is the last gospel written, and was quite certainly composed by the Apostle John near the end of the first century. The lack of parallels to many of the stories in the other Gospels demonstrates that he was not likely relying on the same sources of the authors. John himself is also unique in that he would have had more personal contact with Jesus himself than the other authors, and he wrote after Christianity had developed further; thus, his focus was very different. | |||
=== Acts=== | === Acts=== | ||
Acts is the second book of the two volume work, preceded by the Gospel of Luke. Luke is not difficult to place as the author, as the detail of the book matches his claim of traveling with Paul. | Acts is the second book of the two volume work, preceded by the Gospel of Luke. Luke is not difficult to place as the author, as the detail of the book matches his claim of traveling with Paul. | ||
=== | === Early Pauline Epistles=== | ||
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians | |||
=== | === Pastoral/Late Pauline Epistles=== | ||
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus | |||
=== Philemon=== | === Philemon=== | ||
| Line 161: | Line 44: | ||
=== James=== | === James=== | ||
=== | === Petrine Epistles=== | ||
1 & 2 Peter | |||
=== | === Johannine Epistles=== | ||
1, 2, & 3 John | |||
=== Jude=== | === Jude=== | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 25 June 2007
The Authors of the Bible are a collection of men (and possibly women) who have authored or co-authored literature that has appeared in the various canons of Judaism and of Christianity. The list that follows is perpetually subject to debate, and the declaration of canonicity of each work is dependent upon the religious group to which one refers. The list will follow the order of the Eastern Orthodox canon, as it is generally the most inclusive. Authorship is always debatable, and consensus can only be reached to a certain degree. What follows is based on various sources, giving strongest credit to tradition and areas of large consensus.
Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
Pentateuch
Moses is said by Jewish and Christian tradition to be the author of the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. However, the dating of these works has caused debate of Mosaic authorship. Mosaic authorship of Exodus is more plausible than of Genesis, because this is the first text in which the story of Moses himself is chronicled. Deuteronomy is the most debated of the books if the Pentateuch in terms of authorship. As much of it is a restating of the laws (hence the name) it may have been written at a much later period. Many believe that the same author is responsible for Deuteronomy who wrote Joshua and Judges. The ending of Deuteronomy accounts the death of Moses, so at least this section is usually attributed to Joshua himself or some other author. However, some traditions do hold to Mosaic authorship of the whole text, including his death.
Early History
Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles
Writings
Ruth, 1 & 2 Esdras, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1-4 Maccabees
Poetry
Psalms, Odes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus Psalms is impossible to attribute to one author, as each psalm must be treated individually. David certainly composed most of them, with several of his friends composing many of the rest. The narrator of Ecclesiastes goes only by the name Ecclesiastes (Greek) or Qohelet(h) (Hebrew). Roughly translated this could mean "Teacher," "Pastor," or "Teacher." He claims to have been King of Israel in Jerusalem, but this could have easily been an appeal to credibility which was a very common practice in this era. Authorship is most commonly attributed to Solomon, but it could very well be any Jewish man, likely later in life, who wished to advise future generations. The opening line "The Song of Songs of Solomon" seems to verify the authorship of this work easily, but like Ecclesiastes, this could merely have been an appeal to credibility. Likewise, the author could have been referring to Solomon as a recognizable figure: one who was known for his appeal to women. The book is very emphatic on the feminine point of view, which has lead many to suggest female authorship at least in part. Affirming one author of the Song is nearly impossible as its appeal to various cultures and the vocabularies of various time periods leads one to believe that it evolved over time and cultures. It has strong similarities to Egyptian love poetry and may have first been inspired by that form of literature.
Major Prophets
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
The works of the "major" and "minor" prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) are often attributed to their namesakes. Isaiah is no exception.
Minor Prophets
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
New Testament
Gospels
Matthew was most likely written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi. Source critics believe that the author drew much of his material from the gospel of Mark and a hypothetical source that contained many sayings of Jesus, often termed "Q." Mark is widely accepted as the first gospel written about Jesus. It was probably written by John Mark, a close friend of the apostle Peter, and a missionary associate of Paul and Barnabas. Luke is the first of a two-volume work, the second being Acts. Luke was the most likely author; he was a close associate of Paul. Like Matthew, he likely drew heavily from Mark and "Q." The Gospel of John is the last gospel written, and was quite certainly composed by the Apostle John near the end of the first century. The lack of parallels to many of the stories in the other Gospels demonstrates that he was not likely relying on the same sources of the authors. John himself is also unique in that he would have had more personal contact with Jesus himself than the other authors, and he wrote after Christianity had developed further; thus, his focus was very different.
Acts
Acts is the second book of the two volume work, preceded by the Gospel of Luke. Luke is not difficult to place as the author, as the detail of the book matches his claim of traveling with Paul.
Early Pauline Epistles
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Pastoral/Late Pauline Epistles
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
Petrine Epistles
1 & 2 Peter
Johannine Epistles
1, 2, & 3 John