The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity

by Benjamin P. Laird

Publisher:

Hendrickson

, 2022

Overview

The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity: Its Formation, Publication, and Circulation offers a comprehensive and wide-ranging examination of the canonical development of the collection of writings associated with the Apostle Paul. The volume considers a number of clues from the New Testament writings, ancient literary conventions related to the composition and collection of letters, and a variety of early witnesses to the early state of the corpus such as biblical manuscripts, canonical lists, and the testimony of writers. As a conclusion to these inquiries, Laird argues that at least three major archetypal editions of the Pauline corpus—those containing 10, 13, and 14 letters—appear to have been collected and edited as early as the first century. These major archetypal editions, Laird concludes, circulated simultaneously for many years until editions containing 14 letters became nearly universally recognized by the fourth century. The volume serves as a valuable resource of information for those engaged in the study of the early state of the New Testament canon and offers a fresh perspective on the process that led to the formation of the Pauline corpus.

Key Features

• Considers a number of clues from the New Testament writings.
• Serves as a valuable resource of information.
• Offers a fresh perspective on the formation of the Pauline corpus.

Product Details

• Title: The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity
• Author: Benjamin P. Laird
• Publisher: Hendrickson
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Pages: 392
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781683074212, 1683074211
• Resource ID: LLS:PLNCRPSCHRSTNTY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-13T23:27:59Z

About Benjamin P. Laird

Benjamin P. Laird (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of biblical studies at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. His recent books include The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity, Five Views on the New Testament Canon, and Creating the Canon: Composition, Controversy, and the Authority of the New Testament. He and his family live in Central Virginia.