Читать книгу 1, 2 Peter and Jude Through the Centuries - Rebecca Skaggs - Страница 13

We are seeking to include a variety of kinds of interpretations through the centuries to highlight the dialogs which led to significant developments. Because of the diversity of topics included in these little texts it seems best not to specify every interpreter here (for descriptions of these, see the Glossary). Rather it is important to show the variety of interpreters when appropriate, while including more detail here on the dominant ones. Since some of the passages have had effects on art, literature, or music, while the influence of others has been more political or social, each chapter will have some unique sources.

The following is a brief overview of the most important sources on all three of these epistles. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous early attestations to each of them, but many of them are in the form of allusions so will only be mentioned whenever relevant; these can be found for 1 and sometimes 2, Peter in the epistle of Barnabas (c.70–79); Clement of Rome (c.95); Hermas (c.140); and Papias (c.130–140). Polycarp (d. 155) actually quotes 1 Peter but does not name him; apparently, he knew and used the epistle but not necessarily as Peter’s. Irenaeus (b. 130) is the first to particularly quote 1 Peter by name. Evidently the heretic Marcion did not accept 1 Peter. (For more details on all of these, see Bigg, 1975.) For Jude, there are five primary early sources which have full commentaries or a major complete work on the epistle (Jones, 2001): Clement of Alexandria (second century), Didymus (mid‐fourth century), several catenae (one probably compiled by Andreas, seventh century, and one by Severus, late fourth to early fifth century), Oecumenius (sixth century), and Bede (eighth century). Once in a while, Hilary of Arles, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, or others will comment.

No one in the medieval era wrote a complete commentary on any of these three epistles unless you locate Theophylact of Ohrid (1050–1108) in this period. (He wrote commentaries on the whole New Testament and some of the Old but is often considered within the earlier period.) Our three epistles are referred to numerous times, however, in debates and controversies on major theological issues throughout this time. In fact, scholars such as Erasmus, Grotius, Ockham, Dun Scotus, Karlstadt, and St. Francis de Sales occasionally include 1 and 2 Peter in their arguments. St. Thomas Aquinas also cites 1 Peter and sometimes 2 Peter in his explanations on the nature and foreknowledge of God and other pertinent topics. He does not cite Jude. Aquinas is an indication that both Peters are intrinsically involved in the theological discussions and controversies as theology developed. Although Jude is clearly not as involved in the discussions and councils, the epistle is taken seriously by many of the denominations as they constructed their confessions, creeds, and church constitutions – these are noted throughout the commentary.

Luther and Calvin represent the time of the Reformation, along with Arminius, Melanchthon, and others who are included as appropriate. Bengel, Matthew Poole, Thomas Watson, and John Wesley reflect the following era. Brief explanations of the main writers follow to provide a sense of dating as well as significance. Descriptions of others who are used less regularly are included in the Glossary.