The second episode of the NT Pod explores how Paul wrote his letters -- by dictating to a scribe.
It is just under seven minutes long. Feel free to leave your comments below.
NT Pod Episode 2: Paul the letter speaker (mp3)
Key texts: Romans 16:22, Galatians 6:11.
Thanks to Ram2000, Me and You, for the opening theme, released under a Creative Commons agreement.
Thanks for the podcast, I agree with the dictation idea. So, what about dual dictation in the case of Paul and Sosthenes in 1 Cor 1.1? Is there evidence of dual dictations in writing? Should we assume a longer letter required multiple settings (maybe they were taking turns dictating)? If so, could that account for the seams that Weiss or Jewett find in 1 Cor?
ReplyDeleteExcellent questions, Brian!
ReplyDeleteI know you dont have time to answer all these questions (!) but for me, the fact that he uses scribes is perhaps one answer to the deutero pauline and pastoral epistles problem. It would seem possible to me that Paul a) used a variety of amenuenses/scribes as he moved around, b) perhaps even helped Luke as a scribe(?) and c) used the scribes to different degrees, depending on the situation - one time as a 'dictation machine' (write this..) and another time as more of a 'spokesperson' (say these kinds of things).
ReplyDeleteThis possible explanation would surely help present-day 'seekers' or those new in the faith be less 'sceptical' and untrusting as to the origins of some of the epistles.
Good thoughts, Trevor, also worth addressing some time.
ReplyDelete