And Scripture Cannot Be Broken

by Albl, Martin C.

• ISBN13: 9789004114173
• ISBN10: 9004114173
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub

Summary

This work argues that many early Christian quotations of the Old Testament derive not from scriptural manuscripts, but rather from authoritative written testimonia collections developed to support basic Christian beliefs. Combining recent patristic studies (notably on Justin and Barnabas) and evidence from Qumran with detailed examination of quotations in the New Testament, the book builds a fresh case for a neglected scholarly hypothesis.After reviewing the scholarly literature and analogous Jewish and Greco-Roman literary collections, the book presents a comprehensive overview of extant testimonia traditions from the second to the fourth century C.E. The final chapters argue for the use of written testimonia collections in the New Testament. This study offers solid evidence for a remarkably unified early Christian scriptural tradition that extended throughout the Mediterranean world.

Author Biography

Martin C. Albl, Ph.D. is Professor of Religious Studies and English at Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Introduction	1	(6)
Review of the Scholarly Literature on the Testimonia Hypothesis	7	(63)
Overview of the Chapter	7	(1)
Modern Scholarly Investigations of Scriptural Quotations in the New Testament	8	(1)
Nineteenth Century German Roots of Testimonia Hypotheses	9	(1)
Edwin Hatch's ``Excerpta Collections'' and German Reaction	10	(3)
An Alternative to Written Collections: ``Traditional'' Scriptural Proof-Texts	13	(3)
British Support for Hatch's Proposal	16	(2)
Papias's λoγια and the Testimonia Hypothesis	18	(1)
J. Rendel Harris and Testimonies	19	(4)
Reactions to Harris	23	(2)
Testimonia and Early Anti-Jewish Literature	25	(1)
Testimonia and Messianic Debates	26	(1)
C.H. Dodd: Recovering the ``Sub-structure'' of the Kerygma	27	(5)
Barnabas Lindars: The Apologetic Life-Setting of the Testimonia	32	(5)
Testimonia Collections and Other Intermediate Sources of Quotations	37	(1)
Philip Carrington and E.G. Selwyn: Catechetical Patterns in the New Testament	37	(1)
Testimonia and Jewish Exegetical Techniques	38	(8)
Testimonia and Midrash	38	(4)
Testimonia and Jewish Homiletical Forms	42	(1)
Testimonia and the Dead Sea Scrolls	43	(3)
Patristic Studies: Barnabas, Justin, and Testimonia Collections	46	(8)
Pierre Prigent and Barnabas	46	(4)
Jean Danielou's Testimonia Studies	50	(2)
Oskar Skarsaune: Justin's Use of Testimonia Collections	52	(2)
Robert Hodgson and the Testimonia Hypothesis	54	(2)
Testimonia and Recent Discussion on the Nature of Christian-Jewish Relations and Messianic Debates	56	(6)
Jewish-Christian Conflict: Reality or Literary Fiction?	56	(1)
Testimonia and Messianic Debates Revisited	57	(2)
Donald Juel and Messianic Exegesis	59	(3)
Transmission of Tradition in Early Christianity	62	(3)
Sayings Traditions	62	(1)
Miracle Traditions	63	(1)
Passion Traditions	64	(1)
Conclusions: Central Issues Raised by the Testimonia Hypothesis	65	(5)
The Literary Background to Christian Testimonia Collections: Ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish Extract Collections and Their Functions	70	(27)
Overview of the Chapter	70	(1)
Functions of Extracts within Classical Rhetorical Categories	70	(3)
Extract Collections in Ancient Greco-Roman Literature	73	(8)
The Didactic Anthology	73	(2)
Other Didactic Collections	75	(1)
The Epitome	75	(1)
The Philosophical Handbook	75	(1)
The Doxography	76	(1)
Rhetorical Source Books and Handbooks	76	(1)
Greek Sayings Collections (Gnomologia)	77	(1)
Oracle Collections	78	(1)
Admonitions on Proper Conduct: Ps.-Isocrates To Demonicus	78	(1)
Multi-author Thematic Collections	78	(1)
Chreiai Collections	78	(1)
The Cento: Composition from Extracts	79	(1)
Private Excerpt Collections (Notebooks)	79	(1)
Greek Examples	80	(1)
Latin Examples	80	(1)
Function of Extracts within Jewish Literary Categories	81	(1)
The Compositional Use of Scripture	82	(2)
``Re-written Bible''	82	(1)
Use of Scriptural Allusions, Implicit Quotations, and Models	83	(1)
Scriptural Excerpt Collections in Second Temple Jewish Literature	84	(2)
Hebrew and Near Eastern Instruction, Proverb, and Sentence Collections	84	(1)
A Didactic Sayings Collection: Ps.-Phocylides	84	(1)
Scriptural Exempla Collections	85	(1)
Scriptural Excerpt Collections at Qumran	86	(6)
Selection of Passages: 1QIsaiaha Scroll	86	(1)
Liturgical Collections: Phylacteries; 4QDeuteronomyn	86	(2)
A Harmonizing Collections: 4QOrdinancesa and 11QTemple Scroll	88	(1)
Halakhic Collections: 4QOrdinancesa and 11QTemple Scroll	88	(1)
Thematic Collection on the Eschatological Struggle: 4QTestimonia	89	(1)
Thematic Collection on ``Consolation'': 4QTanhumim	90	(1)
Prophetic Testimonia on the Future Struggle and the Commuity's Past History	90	(1)
Midrash on Eschatological Scriptures: 4QEschatological Midrash (= 4QFlorilegium and 4QCatenaa)	90	(1)
Thematic Collection on the Eschatological Jubilee Year and Melchizedek: 11QMelchizedek	91	(1)
Proof-texts on the Community's History: Damascus Document 6--7	92	(1)
Private Collections (Notebooks)	92	(1)
Christian Use of Non-biblical Excerpt Collections: Poetic Anthologies and Secondary Philosophical Sources	93	(2)
Conclusions	95	(2)
Christian Testimonia Collections in the Patristic Era	97	(62)
Overview of the Chapter	97	(1)
Early Christian Use of Scriptural Extract Collections: Practical Considerations	98	(2)
Excursus on the LXX-deviant Criterion	100	(1)
Early Greek Testimonia Collections (Second Century)	101	(24)
Justin First Apology and Dialogue with Trypho	101	(5)
Epistle of Barnabas: Anti-Jewish School Testimonia	106	(3)
Dialogue of Jason and Papiscus: A Testimonia Source for Justin, Irenaeus, and the Latin Testimonia Tradition?	109	(1)
Melito of Sardis Paschal Homily and Selections: Passion Testimonia and the First Explicit Reference to a Testimonia Collection	110	(2)
Irenaeus Against Heresies	112	(2)
Irenaeus Proof of the Apostolic Preaching	114	(5)
Clement of Alexandria Stromateis, Hypotyposeis, Prophetic Selections	119	(1)
Preaching of Peter	120	(1)
Acts of Peter 24	121	(1)
Dialogue of Timothy and Aquila	122	(1)
Dialogue of Athanasius and Zacchaeus	123	(1)
Apocryphon of Ezekiel	124	(1)
The Latin Testimonia Tradition	125	(14)
Early Latin Scriptural Translations	125	(1)
5 Ezra	125	(1)
Ps.-Cyprian Against the Jews	126	(1)
Tertullian Against the Jews, Against Marcion, Against Praxeas	126	(5)
Dream of Nero	131	(1)
Cyprian to Quirinus	132	(1)
Lactantius Divine Institutes 4	133	(3)
Commodian Apologetical Song	136	(1)
Novatian On the Trinity	137	(1)
Testimonia Traditions in Latin Dialogues	138	(1)
Later Greek Tradition (200--400)	139	(5)
Papyrus Rylands Greek 460	139	(1)
Ps.-Epiphanius Testimonies	140	(1)
Eusebius Prophetic Selections and Proof of the Gospel	141	(1)
Athanasius On the Incarnation	142	(1)
Ps.-Gregory of Nyssa Selected Testimonies from the Old Testament against the Jews	142	(2)
A ``Gnostic'' Testimonia Collection: The Exegesis on the Soul	144	(2)
Syriac Writers: Aphrahat and Bar Salibi	146	(2)
Case Study: An Anti-Cultic Testimonia Collection	148	(7)
Evidence of a Written TC	148	(6)
Original Form and Life-Setting of the Testimonia Source	154	(1)
Excursus: Wood/Tree/Cross Collections in Patristic Literature	155	(2)
Conclusions	157	(2)
Testimonia in the New Testament: Paul's Writings; Matthew's Formula Citations; Speeches in Acts; and Hebrews 1--2	159	(49)
Overview of the Chapter	159	(1)
Paul and Testimonia	159	(20)
Evidence for Paul's Use of Testimonia Collections and Traditions	159	(1)
D.A. Koch and Christopher Stanley: Paul's Personal Anthology	159	(1)
1 Cor 15:3--4: The Meaning of κατα ταζ γραϕαζ	160	(5)
Traditional Scriptural Formulas in Romans (Rom 1:3--4; 3:24--26; 4:25; 11:25--27; 15:12)	165	(3)
Parenetic Use of Scripture (Rom 12:19; 13:9; 2 Cor 13:1)	168	(3)
Paul's Use of a Jewish Psalms Collection (Rom 3:10--18)	171	(6)
A Temple Testimonia Collection in 2 Cor 6:16--7:1	177	(1)
Paul and Other NT Testimonia	178	(1)
Conclusions	178	(1)
The Formula Citations in Matthew	179	(11)
Overview of the Formula Citations in Matthew	180	(2)
Evidence for a Testimonia Collection Behind Matthew's Formula Citations	182	(1)
Matt 2:6 (Mic 5:1/2 Sam 5:2)	182	(2)
Matt 2:23 (Unknown Quotation)	184	(1)
Matt 12:18--21 (Isa 42:1--4)	185	(5)
Conclusions	190	(1)
Testimonia in the Speeches in Acts	190	(11)
Traugott Holtz: Luke's Limited Knowledge of the LXX and Use of Testimonia	190	(1)
Evidence for Luke's Use of Testimonia Collections in the Speeches of Acts	191	(1)
Acts 3:22--25: A Testimonia Collection on the Day of Atonement	191	(4)
Acts 13:16b--41: A Review of Scriptural History	195	(4)
Common Early Christian Testimonia in Acts	199	(1)
Rhetorical Functions of Luke's Testimonia	200	(1)
Conclusions	201	(1)
Christ's Superiority to the Angels: A Testimonia Collection in Heb 1:5--2:8	201	(7)
Overview of the Catena in Heb 1:5--2:8	201	(2)
Evidence for Hebrews's Use of a Previous Testimonia Collection: Parallel with 1 Clem 36:2--6	203	(1)
Original Form and Function of the Testimonia Collection in Heb 1:5--2:8	204	(3)
Conclusions	207	(1)
Five Testimonia Traditions in the New Testament	208	(78)
Overview of the Chapter	208	(1)
New Testament Use of Jewish Messianic Testimonia	208	(8)
Second Temple Interpretations of Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; and Isa 11:1, 10	208	(3)
New Testament Interpretation of Gen 49:10--11; Num 24:17; and Isa 11:1, 10	211	(3)
Patristic Interpretation of Gen 49:10--11; Num 24:17; and Isa 11:1, 10	214	(1)
Conclusions on the Messianic Testimonia	215	(1)
Psalm 110:1 as an Early Christian Testimonium	216	(21)
Overview of Early Christian Use of Ps 110:1	217	(4)
Second Temple Jewish Use of Ps 110:1	221	(1)
Christian Interpretation of Ps 110:1 with Ps 8:6	222	(1)
Paul's Use of Ps 110:1; 1 Cor 15:25--27 and Rom 8:34	222	(3)
Polycarp Phil. 2.lb	225	(1)
1 Pet 3:22	226	(1)
Heb 1:13--2:8	226	(1)
Eph 1:20--23	226	(1)
Mark 12:36 (par. Matt 22:44)	227	(1)
Christian Interpretation of Ps 110:1 with Dan 7:13	228	(3)
Psalm 110:1 and the High Priest Typology	231	(1)
Psalm 110:1 and ``Two Powers'' Testimonia	232	(1)
Psalm 110:1 and the Two Advents Pattern	233	(1)
Psalm 110:1 and the Substructure of New Testament Theology	234	(2)
Conclusions on Ps 110:1 as a Testimonium	236	(1)
Isaiah 6:9--10 and the Hardening Tradition	237	(16)
Isaiah 6:9--10 in the MT, Qumran, and Greek Translations	237	(4)
Hardening Traditions in the Hebrew Scriptures	241	(1)
The Hardening Tradition in Paul	242	(3)
The Hardening Tradition and the Gospel of John	245	(2)
Carol Stockhausen: The ``Exegetical Substructure'' to Paul and John	247	(1)
Later Pauline Traditions	248	(1)
The Hardening Tradition in Mark	249	(2)
Patristic Use of the Hardening Tradition	251	(1)
Conclusions on the Hardening Tradition: Form and Function	251	(2)
Zechariah 12:10 and The Two Advents Testimonia	253	(12)
MT Zechariah 12:10 and the Versions	253	(1)
A Christian Adaptation of Zech 12:10 in Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7; and John 19:37	254	(4)
Zechariah 12:10 in Didache and Justin	258	(1)
Barnabas 7: Two Advents and Two Goats on the Day of Atonement	259	(2)
The Two Goats/Two Advents Tradition in Justin and Tertullian	261	(1)
Conclusions on Zech 12:10 and the Two Advents Tradition: Form and Function	262	(2)
Excursus on Crossan's Interpretation of Barnabas 7	264	(1)
Stone Testimonia in the New Testament	265	(21)
Second Temple Jewish Background to the Stone Testimonia	266	(3)
New Testament Uses of Stone Testimonia	269	(1)
Jesus as the Rejected (but Ultimately Vindicated) Cornerstone	269	(2)
The Stumbling Stone Set in Zion (Rom 9:33; 1 Pet 2:6--8)	271	(4)
Stone Testimonia, the Community, and the Temple	275	(1)
Jesus, the Temple, and Stone Testimonia	276	(2)
Peter and the Stone Testimonia (Matt 16:18)	278	(1)
The Patristic Stone Testimonia	279	(4)
Conclusions on the Stone Testimonia: Form and Function	283	(3)
Conclusions	286	(5)
Bibliography	291	(20)
Indices	311