Marcion and the First Christian Heresy

Heresy From Greek, “to choose” From Greek, “to choose” Originally, a more positive term Originally, a more positive term Becomes a term describing rejection of important beliefs Becomes a term describing rejection of important beliefs Extremely important function: define Christianity and its boundaries Extremely important function: define Christianity and its boundaries Emerges only gradually, in debate Emerges only gradually, in debate Most heresies were persuasive, had plenty of followers. We need to ask why. Most heresies were persuasive, had plenty of followers. We need to ask why.

Background From Asia Minor (Turkey, born ca. 85) From Asia Minor (Turkey, born ca. 85) A layperson, went to Rome in 130s or 140s A layperson, went to Rome in 130s or 140s Wealthy, made large donation to church of Rome Wealthy, made large donation to church of Rome Controversy erupted in 140s Controversy erupted in 140s Kicked out of church of Rome in 144 Kicked out of church of Rome in 144 Died ca. 160 Died ca st big controversy: people continued to write against his idea for centuries 1 st big controversy: people continued to write against his idea for centuries

Controversy Is the God Jesus talks about really the same as the God depicted in the Jewish Scriptures? Is the God Jesus talks about really the same as the God depicted in the Jewish Scriptures? What is Christianity’s relation to Judaism? Are they sister religions or different religions? What is Christianity’s relation to Judaism? Are they sister religions or different religions? What should the Christian Bible contain? What should the Christian Bible contain? Marcion: a few letters of Paul, about 10 chapters of Luke (out of 24) Marcion: a few letters of Paul, about 10 chapters of Luke (out of 24) “Orthodox” (winning) view: All of Jewish Scriptures (OT), all of Luke, other gospels and letters “Orthodox” (winning) view: All of Jewish Scriptures (OT), all of Luke, other gospels and letters

Marcion’s beliefs Good vs. Creator = 2 gods Good vs. Creator = 2 gods Goodness and mercy are opposed to justice; why? Goodness and mercy are opposed to justice; why? World is flawed World is flawed Jesus founded a new religion (antithesis 1) Jesus founded a new religion (antithesis 1)

Debate Question: Is Marcion right? Does belief in Jesus require rejecting the Jewish Scriptures and its Creator God? Question: Is Marcion right? Does belief in Jesus require rejecting the Jewish Scriptures and its Creator God? Embody arguments from the time period, as you can construct them from readings (Chidester, Gospels, Marcion) Embody arguments from the time period, as you can construct them from readings (Chidester, Gospels, Marcion) Use/critique Marcion’s specific claims Use/critique Marcion’s specific claims Do not argue your personal opinion (yet) Do not argue your personal opinion (yet)

Does this controversy linger today? Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Contemporary Christians in the U.S. Contemporary Christians in the U.S. Example: Dead Man Walking Example: Dead Man Walking Violence vs. peace (antithesis 3) Violence vs. peace (antithesis 3) Others? Others?

Biblical canon: OT For 1 st century Christians (and writers of the 27 books eventually included in the NT), “Scriptures” meant Jewish Scriptures; there was no NT yet For 1 st century Christians (and writers of the 27 books eventually included in the NT), “Scriptures” meant Jewish Scriptures; there was no NT yet OT included some Greek Jewish books used in the 1 st c. but not found in Jewish and Protestant canons today OT included some Greek Jewish books used in the 1 st c. but not found in Jewish and Protestant canons today Ca. 85CE: Jewish council rejects books not written in Hebrew Ca. 85CE: Jewish council rejects books not written in Hebrew Reformers in 1500s decide to follow Jewish canon (also advocated by Jerome in 300s, but he does not win out) Reformers in 1500s decide to follow Jewish canon (also advocated by Jerome in 300s, but he does not win out)

Biblical Canon: NT Gospels: 4 Gospels: 4 Acts of the Apostles (by author of Luke) Acts of the Apostles (by author of Luke) Story of the earliest church, after Jesus Story of the earliest church, after Jesus Letters: 22 Letters: 22 Really are letters; written to local churches for specific reasons Really are letters; written to local churches for specific reasons Mostly written by Paul Mostly written by Paul Some attributed to Paul but probably written by his students Some attributed to Paul but probably written by his students A few others: James, Peter, Hebrews, Revelation, etc. A few others: James, Peter, Hebrews, Revelation, etc.

Canon and criteria Most of NT in place by late 100s Most of NT in place by late 100s Formed by consensus: what books did most local churches value and treat as God-inspired? Formed by consensus: what books did most local churches value and treat as God-inspired? Should have apostolic authorship Should have apostolic authorship Should conform to “rule of faith” (proto-creed: belief in God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) Should conform to “rule of faith” (proto-creed: belief in God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) Jesus must be really human and Lord Jesus must be really human and Lord First official list that matches our NT: Athanasius’ Festal Letter of 367 First official list that matches our NT: Athanasius’ Festal Letter of 367