Founders of Christianity: Analytical Essay

Here is my final assignment for this class, except for writing the test on the Synoptic Problem.

Analytical Essay:

Using what you have learned in Weston's A Rulebook for Arguments and in writing the book reviews, analyze thoroughly the arguments of ONE of the following texts: Hebrews, 1 Clement, or Barnabas.

For this essay, I have chosen to examine the text of 1 Clement. As for my essay, here are the key premises that I intend to explore.

Premises:

a) The author of I Clement is not necessarily known (Mason & Robinson suggest that it could be any one of many people by the name of Clement) – however most scholars confirm that 1 & 2 Corinthians were written by Paul (problem: if not Clement, the famous leader, what gives this writer authority to give such instructions?)

b) Uses similar analogies as Paul – referring to TANAKH, suggestion of Jewish audience, or those readers/listeners were aware of Paul’s methodology (note: close reading of original TANAKH sources needed)

c) Similar to Paul – giving instruction on how to live (remember to note redaction form of Paul, similar/ dissimilar?)

d) Possible misrepresentation of the story of Paul – no proof of exile, or multiple stoning incidents (if the author of this text can’t get Paul’s story right, how can we trust its validity? (claim that Paul and Peter were ‘pillars’ of the church, and contemporaries à based on this wouldn’t the writer know the true story?)

e) Letter form – Is this a direct copy from Paul’s format? (Is this adaptation similar to those of Deutero-Pauline letters?)

f) 1 Clement confusing – praising the members in Corinth for previous obedience (in Paul’s time, perhaps?), chastisement that they no longer do so, however Paul had admonished Corinthians (they were considered unholy, worst example of the early church! (It was not only Paul who thought this, but everyone!)