Introducing the New Testament, 2nd ed. (ch. 11): New Testament Letters

benediction

a blessing, often offered at the conclusion of a document or worship service.

papyrus

a cheap but brittle type of writing material made from plant fibers (plural, "papyri").

creed

a confessional statement summarizing key articles of faith.

Muratorian Fragment

a document from the latter half of the second century that lists which New Testament writings were considered to be Scripture at that time.

doxology

a hymn or group of words that expresses praise to God.

salutation

a more-or-less formulaic phrase used to open a letter ("greetings" or "grace and peace"); often identifies the author and intended recipients.

amanuensis

a secretary or trained scribe who writes letters for other people.

delegated authorship

a situation in which an author describes the basic content of an intended writing to an amanuensis, who then produces the writing for the author to approve.

dictation

a situation in which an author dictates a writing almost word for word to an amanuensis.

apprentice authorship

a situation in which an author dies and persons who had been previously authorized to speak for that author continue to do so by producing materials in the author's name.

posthumous authorship

a situation in which an author finishes or produces a composition that a mentor had intended to write, sending it posthumously in the mentor's name.

literal authorship

a situation in which an author produces a document by literally writing it in his or her own hand.

forgery

a situation in which authors produce writings in the name of a prominent individual in order to present that person as a supporter of their own ideas.

honorable pseudepigraphy

a situation in which people produce writings in the name of a (probably deceased) prominent person as a tribute to that person's influence on their thinking.

pseudepigraphy

"false ascription"; in New Testament studies, the practice of ancient authors attributing their own writings to other people, such as a revered teacher or prominent church leader who had influenced their thinking.

chiasm

an organizing device for speaking or writing that arranges items in an "a, b, b, a" pattern—for example, "light and darkness, darkness and light."

confessional statements

declarations on matters of faith pertinent to particular religious groups or denominations.

apostolic authority

in Paul's letters, the claim that the author has the power and responsibility to instruct, exhort, and discipline persons who were brought to faith through his ministry.

second-career theory

in Pauline studies, the notion that the apostle was released from captivity in Rome and went on to do things not reported in the New Testament before being recaptured and executed later than has traditionally been thought.

authentic

in discussions of authorship, "not pseudepigraphic"—that is, written by the person to whom a work is ascribed.

deutero-Pauline letters

letters ascribed to Paul that are believed to have been written after Paul's death by persons who felt qualified to address the church in Paul's name; also called the "disputed letters of Paul."

canon

literally, "rule" or "standard"; used by religious groups to refer to an authoritative list of books that are officially accepted as Scripture.

confessional concerns

matters of faith pertinent to particular religious groups or denominations.

saints

people who are holy; some New Testament writers use the word as a virtual synonym for "Christians," referring to those who through faith have been made holy in the eyes of God.

General Letters (Epistles)

seven letters traditionally thought to have been written to the church "at large" rather than to specific individual congregations: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude. Also called "Catholic Letters (Epistles)."

ostraca

shards of pottery, sometimes used as small tablets for writing.

Prison Letters (Epistles)

the five letters attributed to Paul that are said to have been written from prison: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon. Also called "Captivity Letters (Epistles)."

grace

the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of undeserved blessings.

undisputed letters

the seven letters ascribed to Paul that almost all New Testament scholars affirm were actually written by him: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon.

disputed letters of Paul

the six letters ascribed to Paul that many New Testament scholars believe to be pseudepigraphic: Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus; also called the "deutero-Pauline letters."

Pastoral Letters (Epistles)

the three letters addressed to colleagues of Paul entrusted with pastoral leadership of churches: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus.