Authenticity Criteria in Early Christianity

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Questions and Answers

What should be done with sayings or stories that coincide too strongly with the editorial interests of the evangelists?

They should be bracketed.

According to the criterion of dissimilarity, sayings may be accepted as authentic if they are dissimilar to the characteristic emphases of both __________ and early Christianity.

ancient Judaism

The criterion of embarrassment suggests that the early Church likely invented material that would embarrass its creator.

False

What does the criterion of multiple attestation state?

A passage is more likely to go back to Jesus if it has been preserved in two or more independent sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the criterion of coherence?

Sayings that are materially consistent with sayings judged to be authentic can be included within the corpus of historical Jesus materials. Signup and view all the answers

The criterion of historical plausibility states that sayings attributed to Jesus must account for later developments in the __________.

primitive Jesus communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a secondary criterion mentioned for assessing authenticity?

Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena Signup and view all the answers

Sayings and stories characterized by exaggeration, typification, or paradox can be considered authentic according to the stylistic criterion.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of coherence primarily evaluate in sayings attributed to Jesus?

The consistency of the content with other authentic sayings Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion identifies sayings characterized by techniques such as parody or antithetic couplets as authentic?

Criterion of Coherence Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism of the criterion of coherence?

It is susceptible to subjective interpretations by critics. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of evaluating authenticity, how does historical plausibility differ from dissimilarity?

Historical plausibility considers the influence of Jesus on early Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements would NOT typically be used to establish coherence?

Cultural contexts of other religious figures Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of multiple attestation imply about a motif's authenticity?

Some occurrences may be influenced by secondary edits. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the criterion of coherence's role in assessing authenticity?

It allows subjective interpretation of sayings' relevance to Jesus' teachings. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two interrelated criteria proposed by M. Eugene Boring for assessing authenticity?

Plausible tradition history and hermeneutical potential Signup and view all the answers

According to Boring's interrelated criteria, what does the concept of diversity primarily refer to?

Diversity of forms of sayings and interpretations of Jesus Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Robert Funk emphasize when using the criterion of coherence?

The presence of humor or satire in the sayings Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of multiple attestation rely on according to the discussion?

The most commonly attested early material Signup and view all the answers

What weakness is associated with the coherence criterion in assessing authenticity?

It often relies on speculative interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

Which saying often presents a challenge to authenticity due to its uniqueness and lack of multiple attestations?

Q 9:60 Signup and view all the answers

How does Crossan’s concept of a 'criterion of adequacy' differ from the traditional criteria of authenticity?

It explains the multiplicity engendered in the tradition. Signup and view all the answers

In Boring’s analysis, what is the implication of saying that coherence is a weak criterion?

It demonstrates the subjectivity of historical assessments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the challenges faced when privileging certain criteria over others?

It can lead to conflicting interpretations of Jesus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the criterion of embarrassment in relation to Jesus's actions or sayings?

It identifies actions that would likely cause embarrassment to the early Church. Signup and view all the answers

According to E.P. Sanders, how can material be attributed to Jesus?

If it does not agree with early church or contemporary Judaism. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the saying 'Let the dead bury the dead' stand out in the context of its culture?

It contradicts cultural values about the dead's proper disposal. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the criterion of dissimilarity face according to the provided content?

It overlooks Jesus's Galilean Jewish heritage. Signup and view all the answers

What is a secondary issue associated with the criterion of dissimilarity?

Insufficient understanding of Second Temple Judaism. Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the criterion of embarrassment regarding Jesus?

Jesus being baptized by a repentance preacher. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'so shot through with Christian missionary theology' suggest about the narrative's creation?

It indicates the strong influence of early Christian beliefs in the text. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Mediterranean culture, what is significant about the early Church's view on the disposal of the dead?

They maintained a strong emphasis on proper burial practices. Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of multiple attestation suggest about a passage attributed to Jesus?

It is more likely authentic if found in multiple independent sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the discomfort felt by the evangelists regarding the baptism of Jesus?

It indicates that the event has historical roots. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Luke's addition of 'to repentance' to the Markan saying signify a concern?

It indicates an intention to justify Jesus’ association with sinners. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a valid form expressed in the criterion of multiple attestation?

A passage is more credible if it appears in independent sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the concept of multiple attestation?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed recorded in Q, Mark, and GThom. Signup and view all the answers

What do the discussions around the events of Jesus and tax collectors indicate about early church attitudes?

They sought to distance themselves from such associations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of the statement that 'nothing in the literature from the later Jesus movement encourages the view that their ranks included sinners'?

There was a desire to purity among followers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the criterion of dissimilarity?

Sayings that significantly deviate from the teachings of early Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What do the multiple independent sources, such as Mark and Q, indicate regarding the sayings attributed to Jesus?

The sayings are validated by their consistency across sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which criterion evaluates the existence of Aramaisms in the Jesus traditions?

Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena Signup and view all the answers

Why is the criterion of Aramaism considered weak in its effectiveness?

Because early followers likely spoke Aramaic. Signup and view all the answers

What does the stylistic criterion suggest about certain sayings and stories?

They may be authentic if they exhibit certain linguistic patterns. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of sayings that are considered authentic according to the criteria discussed?

Sayings that account for developments in primitive communities. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does Mark 7:15 have regarding the understanding of kashrut?

It suggests a fundamental shift in dietary laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which saying might undermine the authenticity of certain traditions based on historical developments?

Sayings that challenge established Jewish law. Signup and view all the answers

How does the criterion of coherence contribute to the understanding of authentic sayings?

It examines how sayings form a unified narrative picture. Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of embarrassment focus on regarding the sayings or actions of Jesus?

Actions that would embarrass the early Church Signup and view all the answers

Why is the saying 'Let the dead bury the dead' considered significant in its cultural context?

It contrasts sharply with early Christian attitudes towards death. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does E.P. Sanders identify regarding the criterion of dissimilarity?

It may overlook the practices and beliefs of early Christians. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'so shot through with Christian missionary theology' imply about the narrative's origins?

It was likely influenced by later Christian beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

According to the criterion of dissimilarity, material can be attributed to Jesus if it does not align with which two contexts?

Early Church beliefs and contemporary Judaism Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of coherence evaluate in sayings attributed to Jesus?

The stylistic elements and rhetorical devices used. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect makes the criterion of coherence subjectively assessed?

Disagreement on what constitutes material consistency. Signup and view all the answers

How does historical plausibility differ from dissimilarity as a criterion?

It considers the historical context and influences of Jesus. Signup and view all the answers

Robert Funk's proposal regarding coherence includes which stylistic element?

Complex metaphors and exaggerated expressions. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the criterion of coherence be considered weak?

It is open to differing interpretations of what constitutes coherence. Signup and view all the answers

What does the criterion of dissimilarity emphasize when assessing the authenticity of sayings attributed to Jesus?

Their uniqueness compared to both ancient Judaism and early Christianity Signup and view all the answers

Which saying exemplifies a challenge to authenticity due to its strong alignment with evangelistic interests?

Predicting a Gentile mission in Mark 13:10 Signup and view all the answers

What issue does the criterion of authenticity face when assessing the saying, 'Let the dead bury the dead'?

It is unique and lacks multiple attestations Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'goes against the grain' imply in the context of evaluating authenticity?

The saying contradicts the established views of the evangelist Signup and view all the answers

How does early Christian interest in Gentiles affect the authenticity of specific sayings attributed to Jesus?

It indicates they are likely later inventions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criteria of Authenticity

Preliminary Criteria
- Sayings and stories that closely align with the evangelists' editorial interests or early Christian communities should be questioned.
- Example: Mark 13:10 (predicting a Gentile mission) aligns too strongly with Mark's interests. However, Mark 7:27 (Jesus' saying about feeding children before dogs) goes against Mark's typical portrayal of Jesus, suggesting potential authenticity.
Primary Criteria

Criterion of Dissimilarity
- Sayings and parables are considered authentic if they are distinct from both ancient Judaism and early Christianity.
- Example: Q 9:60 (Luke 9:60/Matt 8:22) - "Let the dead bury the dead." This saying contradicts the high value of pious burial in Jewish culture and does not reflect early Christian practices.
- Problems: This criterion might miss material embodying Jesus' Jewish heritage, and it is hard to determine definitively where Jesus differed from contemporary Judaism.
Criterion of Embarrassment
- Actions or sayings by Jesus that would have embarrassed the early church are seen as potentially authentic.
- Example: The baptism of Jesus by a repentance preacher (Mark 1:9-11) is awkward for the evangelists, suggesting its historical basis.
- Example: Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors (Mark 2:13-17). Luke's attempt to explain this suggests discomfort with the idea of Jesus associating with such people.
Criterion of Multiple Attestation
- A saying or story is more likely to be authentic if it appears in multiple independent sources.
- Example: 'Children and the kingdom' appears in Mark (10:13-16), special Matthaean material (18:3), GThom 22, and John 3:3, 5.
- Problem: This criterion does not guarantee that all elements within a multiply attested passage are authentic.
Criterion of Coherence
- Sayings that are not obviously dissimilar or multiply attested but align with the core Jesus tradition may be considered authentic.
- Example: The Lukan story of the Pharisee and the toll collector (18:10-14a) exhibits both caricature and reversal, consistent with other Jesus tradition.
- Problem: The criterion is subjective, as different scholars may have varying interpretations of coherence.
Criterion of Historical Plausibility
- Sayings attributed to Jesus must be consistent with a 1st-century Palestinian environment and account for later developments in early Christian communities.
- Example: Mark 7:15, if authentic, would contradict later developments in Acts 15/Gal 2.
- Problem: This criterion combines aspects of dissimilarity, multiple attestation, and coherence.
Secondary Criteria

Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena or Aramaism
- The use of Aramaic words like ‘Abba’ and ‘Amen’ in the Jesus traditions was initially considered a sign of authenticity.
- Problem: Since Jesus' earliest followers were also from Palestine and likely spoke Aramaic, this criterion is not reliable.
Stylistic Criterion
- Sayings and stories with features like the "divine passive" and Semitic style (parallelism, rhythm, and rhyme) were seen as potentially authentic.
- Problem: Such elements merely indicate influence by Semitic language and Biblical style, which were present beyond Palestine.
Plausible Tradition History
- This criterion focuses on the diversity of forms of sayings and interpretations of Jesus within the tradition.
- Goal: To identify the earliest forms and versions of sayings by reconstructing a stemma (a diagram showing the relationship between different versions) and explaining the origin of hermeneutical diversity.
- Problem: This criterion is subjective, and the construction of the stemma can be debated.
Concluding Comments
- The criteria of authenticity are not always consistent, and their application depends on which criterion is prioritized.
- Example: Highly distinctive sayings (e.g., Q 9:60) are often not multiply attested, highlighting trade-offs between different criteria.

Criteria of Authenticity

Criterion of Dissimilarity: A saying or story is more likely to be authentic if it is unlike both early Christian teachings and Jewish beliefs at the time of Jesus.
Example: “Let the dead bury the dead” (Q 9:60) stands out in contrast to both Jewish cultural norms and early Christian attitudes towards death.
Problems: This criterion misses material where Jesus reflected his Jewish heritage or shared beliefs with the early church. Additionally, it is difficult to judge the full breadth of Second Temple Judaism.

Criteria of Embarrassment

The early church would be unlikely to invent actions or sayings of Jesus that would have caused them embarrassment or difficulty.
Example: The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is a possible example, as it is downplayed or explained away by the Gospels.
Problems: This criterion does not necessarily mean every detail of an embarrassing story is historical; later interpretive elements could have shaped the account.

Criterion of Multiple Attestation

A saying or story is more likely to be authentic if it appears in two or more independent sources.
Example: The saying about children and the kingdom of heaven appears in Mark, Matthew, the Gospel of Thomas, and John.
Problems: Multiple attestation doesn't necessarily mean every occurrence of a motif is authentic; redactional or secondary elements could be present in the different versions.

Criterion of Coherence

Sayings or stories that are consistent with other sayings judged to be authentic can be considered authentic.
Example: The Lukan story of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14a) exhibits caricature and reversal, consistent with other Jesus traditions.
Problems: The criterion is subjective, and critics may disagree on the level of coherence required.

Criterion of Historical Plausibility

A saying or story must fit within a first-century Palestinian context and explain later developments within the early Jesus movement.
Example: The saying in Mark 7:15 about food purity laws, if considered authentic, would make it difficult to understand later events such as Acts 15 and Galatians 2, where there were debates about Jewish law.
Problems: Theissen combines dissimilarity, multiple attestation, and coherence but gives them a positive interpretation.

Secondary Criteria

Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena or Aramaism: The presence of Aramaic words or phrases (e.g. 'Abba', 'Amen') can be a sign of authentic tradition. However, this is not very effective as Jesus' earliest followers also spoke Aramaic.
Stylistic Criterion: This criterion suggests authentic sayings and stories might have features like the "divine passive" or stylistic elements like parallelism, rhythm, and rhyme. However, these features are present in the Bible, which was available outside Palestine.
Plausible Tradition History: This criterion focuses on the diversity of forms for sayings and the divergent interpretations of Jesus, seeking to reconstruct the original source of a tradition.

Criteria of Authenticity

Preliminary Criteria: Sayings and stories that align too closely with the editorial interests of the evangelists or early Christian communities should be considered suspect. For example, Mark 13: 10 appears too closely aligned with Mark's own interests, suggesting it may not be an authentic saying of Jesus.
Primary Criteria:

Criterion of Dissimilarity
- Sayings and parables can be considered authentic if they are distinctly different from both the characteristic emphases of ancient Judaism and early Christianity.
- For example: "Let the dead bury their dead" (Luke 9:60/Matt 8:22), directly contradicts the practices of Jewish culture.
- The criterion can be problematic because it misses material where Jesus reflected his Galilean Jewish heritage and where the early Church adopted his beliefs.
- It also struggles to clearly differentiate Jesus from Jewish practices due to our limited knowledge of Second Temple Judaism.
Criterion of Embarrassment
- Embarrassing or challenging sayings or actions attributed to Jesus are likely to be authentic.
- For instance, the story of Jesus being baptized by a repentance preacher (Mark 1:9-11) would have been potentially embarrassing for early Christians.
- The criterion’s limitation is that a motif’s multiple attestations do not guarantee its authenticity.
Criterion of Coherence
- Sayings that are not obviously dissimilar or multiply attested but are consistent with the core Jesus tradition are considered authentic.
- For instance, the Lukan story of the Pharisee and the toll collector (18:10-14a) exhibits both caricature and reversal which adhere to the core Jesus tradition.
- The main drawback of this criterion is subjectivity: Different scholars will have different opinions on whether a saying coheres with other Jesus traditions.
Criterion of Historical Plausibility
- This criterion assesses the plausibility of Jesus' contribution to the Jewish context, considering his influence on early Christianity and his involvement in a Palestinian environment.
- Negatively, a saying that contradicts a historical development should be considered suspect - for example, if the saying “abrogated” kashrut (dietary rules), it would contradict the events depicted in Acts 15 and Galatians 2.
- Positively, sayings that account for the development of tradition are considered plausible.

Secondary Criteria

### Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena or Aramaism
-  The presence of Aramaic words or phrases in sayings attributed to Jesus is not considered a strong indicator of authenticity, since his early followers were also Palestinian and likely spoke Aramaic.
-  However, sayings that presuppose non-Palestinian cultural facts or cannot be rendered into Aramaic, are deemed unlikely to have been authentic. 

### Stylistic Criterion
-  Sayings and stories that feature stylistic elements like the “divine passive” and “semitic style” might be considered authentic.
-  This criterion is less reliable due to the limited scope of Aramaic and Hebrew linguistic patterns and Biblical style, accessible to people outside of Palestine through the Septuagint.

### Plausible Tradition History
-  This criterion focuses on the historical development and interpretation of sayings attributed to Jesus. 
-  By analyzing diverse versions of sayings and the interpretations they generated, it tries to reconstruct the earliest form.

Concluding Comments

Different criteria can lead to contradictory conclusions.
Some scholars emphasize dissimilarity leading to a more "unique" portrayal of Jesus, while others rely on multipile attestations and favor sayings that were popular in early Christian circles.
The criterion of coherence remains subjective and less reliable.

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Description

Explore the criteria of authenticity pertaining to sayings and stories in early Christian texts. This quiz examines the distinctions between ancient Judaism and Christianity, focusing on examples that illustrate the criterion of dissimilarity. Test your understanding of how authenticity is assessed in the context of Jesus's teachings.

Authenticity Criteria in Early Christianity

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Questions and Answers

What should be done with sayings or stories that coincide too strongly with the editorial interests of the evangelists?

According to the criterion of dissimilarity, sayings may be accepted as authentic if they are dissimilar to the characteristic emphases of both __________ and early Christianity.

The criterion of embarrassment suggests that the early Church likely invented material that would embarrass its creator.

What does the criterion of multiple attestation state?

What is meant by the criterion of coherence?

The criterion of historical plausibility states that sayings attributed to Jesus must account for later developments in the __________.

Which of the following is a secondary criterion mentioned for assessing authenticity?

Sayings and stories characterized by exaggeration, typification, or paradox can be considered authentic according to the stylistic criterion.

What does the criterion of coherence primarily evaluate in sayings attributed to Jesus?

Which criterion identifies sayings characterized by techniques such as parody or antithetic couplets as authentic?

What is a major criticism of the criterion of coherence?

In the context of evaluating authenticity, how does historical plausibility differ from dissimilarity?

Which of the following elements would NOT typically be used to establish coherence?

What does the criterion of multiple attestation imply about a motif's authenticity?

Which of the following best describes the criterion of coherence's role in assessing authenticity?

What are the two interrelated criteria proposed by M. Eugene Boring for assessing authenticity?

According to Boring's interrelated criteria, what does the concept of diversity primarily refer to?

What aspect does Robert Funk emphasize when using the criterion of coherence?

What does the criterion of multiple attestation rely on according to the discussion?

What weakness is associated with the coherence criterion in assessing authenticity?

Which saying often presents a challenge to authenticity due to its uniqueness and lack of multiple attestations?

How does Crossan’s concept of a 'criterion of adequacy' differ from the traditional criteria of authenticity?

In Boring’s analysis, what is the implication of saying that coherence is a weak criterion?

Which of the following best describes the challenges faced when privileging certain criteria over others?

What is the primary focus of the criterion of embarrassment in relation to Jesus's actions or sayings?

According to E.P. Sanders, how can material be attributed to Jesus?

Why does the saying 'Let the dead bury the dead' stand out in the context of its culture?

What challenge does the criterion of dissimilarity face according to the provided content?

What is a secondary issue associated with the criterion of dissimilarity?

Which example illustrates the criterion of embarrassment regarding Jesus?

What does the phrase 'so shot through with Christian missionary theology' suggest about the narrative's creation?

In the context of Mediterranean culture, what is significant about the early Church's view on the disposal of the dead?

What does the criterion of multiple attestation suggest about a passage attributed to Jesus?

Which of the following best describes the discomfort felt by the evangelists regarding the baptism of Jesus?

Why does Luke's addition of 'to repentance' to the Markan saying signify a concern?

Which of the following is a valid form expressed in the criterion of multiple attestation?

Which example illustrates the concept of multiple attestation?

What do the discussions around the events of Jesus and tax collectors indicate about early church attitudes?

What is one implication of the statement that 'nothing in the literature from the later Jesus movement encourages the view that their ranks included sinners'?

What is the primary focus of the criterion of dissimilarity?

What do the multiple independent sources, such as Mark and Q, indicate regarding the sayings attributed to Jesus?

Which criterion evaluates the existence of Aramaisms in the Jesus traditions?

Why is the criterion of Aramaism considered weak in its effectiveness?

What does the stylistic criterion suggest about certain sayings and stories?

Which of the following is a characteristic of sayings that are considered authentic according to the criteria discussed?

What implication does Mark 7:15 have regarding the understanding of kashrut?

Which saying might undermine the authenticity of certain traditions based on historical developments?

How does the criterion of coherence contribute to the understanding of authentic sayings?

What does the criterion of embarrassment focus on regarding the sayings or actions of Jesus?

Why is the saying 'Let the dead bury the dead' considered significant in its cultural context?

What limitation does E.P. Sanders identify regarding the criterion of dissimilarity?

What does the phrase 'so shot through with Christian missionary theology' imply about the narrative's origins?

According to the criterion of dissimilarity, material can be attributed to Jesus if it does not align with which two contexts?

What does the criterion of coherence evaluate in sayings attributed to Jesus?

Which aspect makes the criterion of coherence subjectively assessed?

How does historical plausibility differ from dissimilarity as a criterion?

Robert Funk's proposal regarding coherence includes which stylistic element?

Why might the criterion of coherence be considered weak?

What does the criterion of dissimilarity emphasize when assessing the authenticity of sayings attributed to Jesus?

Which saying exemplifies a challenge to authenticity due to its strong alignment with evangelistic interests?

What issue does the criterion of authenticity face when assessing the saying, 'Let the dead bury the dead'?

What does the statement 'goes against the grain' imply in the context of evaluating authenticity?

How does early Christian interest in Gentiles affect the authenticity of specific sayings attributed to Jesus?

Study Notes

Criteria of Authenticity

Criterion of Dissimilarity

Criterion of Embarrassment

Criterion of Multiple Attestation

Criterion of Coherence

Criterion of Historical Plausibility

Criterion of Palestinian Environmental Phenomena or Aramaism

Stylistic Criterion

Plausible Tradition History

Criteria of Authenticity

Criteria of Embarrassment

Criterion of Multiple Attestation

Criterion of Coherence