Authorship Of 1 Peter Essay Research Paper

Authorship Of 1 Peter Essay, Research Paper Biblical historians have many different opinions on who is responsible for the authorship of the New Testament writings. Concentrating on 1 and 2 Peter, their different conclusions can be analyzed. Scholars approach the study of authorship by carefully going over the writings themselves. They discover the how, when, why, who, and where of the writings. Each New Testament scholar has come to their own conclusion of the authorship of 1 and 2 Peter through this. Their different views of the authorship of 1 and 2 Peter will be discussed and compared in this paper. 1 Peter is a New Testament writing. It has only five chapters that seems to portray the purpose of bringing hope to Christians. Christians should lead their lives by serving

God and knowing that the judgement of God will be coming. Their faith will be tested, but Christians are told stay true to God. The point is to tell Christians that they should keep to their faith no matter what is going on in the world. The people being addressed where those of the church whom were estranged from their old life. This letter has the same pattern of a Pauline letter, opening with a greeting and thanksgiving. Then it gives the purpose and reflects on the identity of Christians. It ends with an exhortation and closing. It is done neatly and kept in order. 1 Paul seems to have been written in Rome. It is written for the churches in the area of northern Asia Minor. The time period could range from 60-72 C. E. during the time of Paul whom is considered to have

traditional authorship. 2 Peter appears to be the “last testament” of the apostle who had authorship of it. Correct teaching is emphasized, showing that is a major concern of the author. The letter gives a warning that judgement will condemn those without good ethical conduct. This includes all heretics. In 2 Peter’s three chapters, the author expresses his believe of the time when judgement will come. The author uses the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophets’ testimonies, Peter’s eyewitness of the transfiguration of Jesus, and the writings of Paul. The author’s point is that the Parousia is real and not a myth. 2 Peter tells that the reason for the delay of the Parousia is that God’s time is different from human time. So, the coming has not occurred when it was believed

it should have. It also says that God is delaying the coming to give time for humans to repent. 2 Peter seems to also have been written during the Apostolic Age and is one of the last New Testament writings. In The New Oxford Annotated Bible, the authorship seems to be pointing to Peter himself to be the author. It also says that Silvanus could have been the author, but it is very doubtful. In the beginning, Peter is named, but at the end, Silvanus is mentioned in the closing. In 2 Peter, the letter is presented to have been written by Simeon Peter. He says that he is the servant and apostle of Jesus, but there is doubt to this. By him saying this, doubts of authorship is brought forth. The time period is confused by the author saying this. The reason for this is Simeon Peter’s

death was predicted by Jesus. If this happened, then he could not have been an apostle of Peter. Also, he claims to have had fellowship with Peter, but the way the author presents his interpretation of Paul’s letters, it is doubtful. Another source is The Interpreter’s Bible Volume 12. This source also expresses authorship concerns, stating that 1 Peter was written by Peter with the help of Sylvanus who was like a brother to Peter. The place where 1 Peter was written seems to have been Rome. This is because of the fact Babylon is mentioned, and it is considered to be a cryptic name meaning Rome. The time period seems to have been in 60 C. E. because this is during the time of the lifetime of Peter. 2 Peter’s authorship is also discussed. Simon Peter is said to have been the