Deck 23: In the Wake of the Apostle: the Deutero-Pauline and Pastoral Epistles

Question 1

Discuss the development of clergy, creed, and canon in the proto-orthodox church. Why were these instituted, and how did they help proto-orthodoxy become more successful?

Answer 1

The Pastorals exhibit three elements that helped proto-orthodoxy gain supremacy. First, they show the development of clergy (they are addressed to individuals rather than to a church or community). Second, they show the development of a set of doctrines that outline orthodox belief (the "teachings"). Finally, they show the movement toward a canon. Even though Christians did not claim a particular group of books as authoritative until the end of the second century, the words of Jesus and the apostles were deemed authoritative much earlier (1 Timothy 5:18 places Jesus' words on a par with Jewish Scripture). These three elements helped the proto-orthodox put boundaries around belief and established authorities for interpretation.

Question 2

Most scholars believe the same person wrote 2 Thessalonians and Colossians.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The Pastoral epistles and the Acts of Paul and Thecla take similar positions on the role of women.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Most scholars believe the same person wrote all three Pastoral epistles.

Question 5

The structure of the church looks different in the Pastoral epistles and Ignatius than it does in the authentic Pauline letters.

Question 6

The language and structure of 2 Thessalonians is very similar to that of 1 Thessalonians.

Question 7

Which of the following is pseudonymous?

A) First Corinthians
B) Second Corinthians
C) Third Corinthians
D) First Thessalonians

Question 8

The term "parousia" refers to:

A) Christ's return from heaven
B) A forged document
C) The Pastoral epistles
D) The Deutero-Pauline epistles

Question 9

The definition of "works" found in Ephesians is most similar to that found in:

A) Romans
B) First Corinthians
C) James
D) The Gospel of Thomas

Question 10

Proto-orthodox Christians edged out their competition by all of the following means except:

A) Establishing clergy
B) Establishing a canon
C) Establishing a creedal set of beliefs
D) Establishing codes of conduct that were morally superior to other Christian groups

Question 11

Many Pauline churches probably developed a hierarchy of leadership:

A) In response to internal disarray and disorder
B) Because Jesus ordained the clergy.
C) In response to heretical groups that had leaders.
D) Because Paul established a hierarchy when he founded each church.

Question 12

Apostolic succession means that:

A) The apostles were in charge.
B) Churches could allegedly trace their clergy back to an apostle.
C) The apostles were successful at bringing converts into the Church.
D) The apostles came after Jesus.

Question 13

A formulaic statement of beliefs is called:

A) A creed
B) A history
C) Apostolic succession
D) Charismatic

Question 14

First Timothy makes Jesus' words authoritative by:

A) Setting them next to Paul's teachings
B) Setting them next to Jewish Scripture
C) Setting them next to Gospel teachings
D) Referring to them as divinely inspired

Question 15

Ignatius of Antioch taught that

A) Christians should follow Jesus as Jesus follows the Father
B) Christians should follow the Spirit as the Jesus follows the Father
C) Christians should follow their bishop as Jesus follows the Father
D) Christians should study the scriptures as though penned by Jesus' own hand

Question 16

Which Roman figure wrote a book explaining how to identify forgeries written in his name?

A) Seneca
B) Galen
C) Paul
D) Pythagoras