This course aims to introduce students to early christian writings, as regard to their content, shape, language, historical context. Students will approach problems of literary and historical criticism referred to the New Testament (e.g.: methodological approaches, the concept of apocryphal texts, NT Canon), and more specifically to those texts traditionally preserved under the name of Paul (Pauline corpus).
Early Christian Writings: An Introduction to the Pauline Epistolary and New Testament
Among the multiplicity of early Christian writings, composed between 1st and 2nd century CE, it is possible to recognize different literary genres (epistles, gospels, apocalypses), often transmitting conflicting contents. However, all of these writings are rooted in the recognizing of, and believing in, the messianicity of Jesus of Nazareth. For historical and ideological reasons, some of these texts were selected and collected in a “canon” (probably starting in the late 2nd century CE); as a consequence of this selection, other texts were refused as “apocrypha”. These are some among other problems that will be boarded during this introductory class. In particular, it will be analyzed the most ancient Christian documents, Paul’s letters (Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, First Thessalonians, Philemon).
1) Texts and References
a) For a critical edition of the New Testament, see Novum Testamentum Graece (ed. Nestle-Aland), Stuttgart, 201228.
b) A Bible in any Italian version (recommended the Nuova riveduta 1994, or the CEI translation that you can find in the Bibbia di Gerusalemme; translation in other languages are also admitted).
c) B.D. Ehrman, Il Nuovo Testamento. Un’introduzione, Roma, Carocci, 2015.
Articles provided during the class:
d) B.D. Ehrman, “The Text as a Window: New Testament Manuscripts and the Social History of Early Christianity”, in B.D. Ehrman – M.W. Holmes, The Text of the New Testament in Contemporary Research, Leiden – Boston, Brill, 2013, pp. 803-830.
e) R. Bultmann, “Il problema dell’ermeneutica”, in Id. Credere e comprendere, Brescia, Queriniana, 1977, pp. 565-588.
f) R. Bultmann, “È possibile un’esegesi senza presupposti?”, in Id. Credere e comprendere, Brescia, Queriniana, 1977, pp. 799-808.
g) J.-D. Kaestli, “Storia del canone del Nuovo Testamento”, in D. Marguerat (ed.), Introduzione al Nuovo Testamento. Storia, redazione, teologia, Torino, Claudiana, 2004, pp. 481-507.
h) R. Dupont-Roc, “Il testo del Nuovo Testamento e la sua storia”, in D. Marguerat (ed.), Introduzione al Nuovo Testamento. Storia, redazione, teologia, Torino, Claudiana, 2004, pp. 509-531.
2) Suggested texts (non-attendant students have to add to those indicated above one of these following titles):
i) Bruce M. Metzger, Bart, D. Ehrman, Il testo del Nuovo Testamento. Trasmissione, corruzione e restituzione, Brescia, Paideia, 2013 (nuova edizione).
ii) W. Egger – P. Wick, Metodologia del Nuovo Testamento. Introduzione allo studio scientifico dei testi biblici, Bologna, EDB, 2015 (nuova edizione).
iii) R. Bultmann, Teologia del Nuovo Testamento, Brescia, Queriniana, 1992.
MAURO BELCASTRO (President)
PIA CAROLLA
Lectures on Thursday and Friday, 4-6 pm
First lecture: Thursday, February 18th 2021
ANCIENT CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
Oral exam
Assessment of knowledge acquisition of the fundamental issues about New Testament.
Assessment of knowledge acquisition of the fundamental issues about methodologies and approaches to the New Testament studies.
Assessment of knowledge of the Paul’s letters, and introductory connected problems.
