James McGrath posted a chart of the results of survey regarding the authorship of the Pauline epistles. He points out that “seeing the numbers” can provide a quick summation of scholarly opinion. But for me, visualizing those numbers is even better, so I put together this quick chart based on the data:
Be sure to read McGrath’s thoughts on the survey, as well as Rick Sumner’s.
In his post Secrets and lies and the deeper scandal of the evangelical mind, Fred Clark poses this hypothetical exchange:
Question: Who wrote the second epistle to Timothy in the New Testament?
Fundamentalist preacher: Paul.
Biblical scholar: We don’t know, but Paul was long dead by the time it was probably written, so not him.
Evangelical pastor: (glances over both shoulders warily, leans in, whispering) Who’s asking?
The point he’s making here (and in the rest of his post) is important, and one that I generally agree with. However, in his eagerness to draw distinctions between varying approaches to the Bible, Clark oversimplifies the issue of the authorship of 2 Timothy. (more…)