Exploring ancient texts and rituals, the hosts discuss the role of storytelling in maintaining order, delve into ritual documents in Egypt and Rome, and explore the Torah's function as household law. They also examine the evolution of the Pentateuch, authorship of Old Testament texts, and canonicity in literature. The significance of texts in communities, early adoption of Gospels, and mutual recognition among Christian communities are also explored.
The Old Testament scriptures evolved over centuries, showcasing a diverse range of texts reflecting ancient history.
The ambiguity in authorship of Old Testament books doesn't diminish their divine authority or relevance in religious context.
The development of the New Testament canon faced challenges but eventually gained acceptance by key figures like St. Jerome.
The term 'Apocrypha' refers to hidden authoritative texts for private reading, not intended for public liturgical settings.
The history surrounding the Shepherd of Hermas reveals its significance outside the church due to timing and contents after the apostles.
The podcast stresses humility, engaging with reality, and communal worship in living out faith.
Deep dives
The Emergence of the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament emerges from ancient history over several centuries. It is not a collection of books written by different people at distinct points in time but results from a gradual process. The books are written over a vast span starting around the mid-second millennium BC until after the exile, possibly receiving their final form around the time of Ezra. The writings are a diverse range of texts composed over centuries, reflecting the evolving history of the ancient world.
Authorship of the Old Testament Books
The authorship of many Old Testament books remains ambiguous. While Moses is traditionally associated with the Torah's origins, attribution for other texts like First and Second Kingdoms or Chronicles is unknown. The Chronicles can be attributed to Ezra after the exile. The exact authorship of specific Old Testament books, except for some traces like parts of Exodus and Deuteronomy, remains unresolved, but this lack of certainty does not detract from the Bible's authority and relevance in religious context.
Writing Style and Process
The Old Testament writing process spanned centuries and involved multiple contributors and editors. Rather than discrete books written by individual authors at specific times, the scriptures emerged through a generations-long development, incorporating different perspectives and themes over time. The nuances of authorship, linguistic changes, and textual variations do not diminish the divine authority and significance attributed to the writings in Orthodox Christian tradition.
Nonetheless, the Book's Divine Authority
The lack of definitive authorship for various Old Testament books does not diminish their divine authority for Orthodox Christians. The texts' inspiration and relevance are rooted in their spiritual content and the truths they convey, transcending specific human authors or historical timelines. The Orthodox faith upholds the Bible's significance as a sacred and respectful record of God's revelation to humanity, irrespective of the specifics of authorship or the exact writing process over time.
The Development of the New Testament Canon
The New Testament canon developed organically with the four Gospels and Paul's Epistles being widely accepted by 180 AD. The general epistles and Revelation faced challenges due to their association with heretical views like chiliasm, but were eventually rehabilitated by key figures like St. Jerome and St. Andrew of Caesarea.
The Role of the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation faced challenges due to the heretical association with chiliasm. It took time for it to be rehabilitated in the East and West through revised commentaries that removed chiliasm. St. Jerome and St. Andrew of Caesarea played key roles in restoring the authority of Revelation.
Understanding the Apocrypha
The term 'Apocrypha' refers to hidden or secret texts that are not read aloud in the church but are considered authoritative for private reading. These texts, like the Shepherd of Hermas, fall into a category of books that are not read in public liturgical settings but hold significance for private or home reading.
Different Categories of Texts in Orthodox Tradition
Orthodox tradition recognizes different categories of texts based on their liturgical use, with some texts being reserved for church readings, others for private reading, and some not to be read publicly. These distinct categories help guide the faithful in understanding the authority and significance of various texts within the Orthodox Church.
Historical Development of Textual Authority
The podcast delves into the history surrounding the Shepherd of Hermas, discussing why it was suggested to be read outside the church due to its timing and contents after the apostles. The episode touches on how Second Temple Judaism led to various texts emerging, different religious sects producing their own writings, and how nascent rabbinic Judaism viewed this literary activity critically, leading to a ban on writing that later influenced early Christian writing practices.
Importance of Literature in the Church
The podcast highlights the continuous writing activities within Christianity beyond the New Testament documents, with examples like the Epistles of Saint Ignatius and the Shepherd of Hermas mirroring the genres found in the New Testament. The discussion emphasizes the significance of these additional texts in edifying the community and their preservation in monastic settlements despite not being included in the canonical New Testament.
Orthodox Understanding of Tradition
The episode concludes by emphasizing the Orthodox approach to tradition and the real experience of living out faith rather than theoretical constructs. It emphasizes the importance of humility, engaging with reality over idealistic theological arguments, and the role of true religion in caring for others. The hosts stress the need for concrete actions rooted in the church's history and the spiritual growth found in communal worship and love for others.
How exactly does textual authority function within the Church? Whether discussing the Scriptures, the Apocrypha, the Church Fathers, the Ecumenical Councils, or the liturgical tradition, the Orthodox Church is awash in texts. How are they properly used? What about misuse? What makes them authoritative? Join Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Fr. Stephen De Young as they look at the Orthodox tradition of textual authority.
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