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corpus-paul - Re: Colossians Pauline?

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  • From: Edgar Krentz <ekrentz AT lstc.edu>
  • To: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Colossians Pauline?
  • Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 09:45:19 -0700


At 9:09 AM -0700 10/11/01, Michael Abernathy wrote:
I don't believe I have ever seen it discussed, but one should consider the
very fact that Paul traveled extensively as a complicating factor in
determining what vocabulary and grammatical structure Paul would use.
Somewhere in my library I have a study of the dialectical differences that
existed within a few miles of London in the 19th century. Some of those
dialects resembled German far more than they did English. The availability
of a standardized dictionary, more extensive travel, radio, and television
have helped make the language more standard. However, even today in the
United States one can find considerable differences in usage from region to
region. This suggests that Paul's speech would be strongly influenced by
his travels.

And this is precisely an argument against Paul as author of Colossians. If one has travelled widely, one does not adopt the local speech. When in southwestern Germany, I did not begin to speak wie die Schwaben es tun, bukt stuck to my Buchdeutsch.

Add to that the fact that Colossians does not use small particles as Paul does [check the commentary and articles of Eduard Schweizer] and you have an argument against Paul as author.

Two years ago three of us had papers on Colossians' theology on the assumption [which I share] that Paul did not write the letter. James Dunn was the respondent, arguing that Paul wrote it. He did not deal with the differences in theology, in context, etc.

Citing authorities does no good, since they can be quoted on both sides of this issue. I do agree with the citation from Ernst Kaesemann given some days ago; quite early, but not pauline.

Ed Krentz
--
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Edgar Krentz
Christ Seminary--Seminex Professor of New Testament, Emeritus
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
Tel: 773-256-0773; home phone 773-947-8105
e-mail: ekrentz AT lstc.edu
home e-mail: ekrentz AT earthlink.net
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GERASKO D' AEI POLLA DIDASKOMENOS
"I grow old, constantly learning many things." [Solon of Athens]
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