Gospel Authorship

[Vinnie]

If anyone is interested in defending traditional authorship of the (some of the?) gospels, I'd b happy to take the opposite position.

Don't care too much now about format or time or length. Willing to discuss.

Vinnie

[Jim Lazarus]

Great idea for a debate. I'm gonna talk to a few theist friends of mine, just in case no one accepts the opposing position here on the boards.

- Laz

[Vinnie]

Thank you.

Vinnie

[Jim Lazarus]

Heyy Vinnie :)

I just talked to a fellow who might be interested in debating you.

He just registered ~10 minutes before I posted this, so he's awaiting confirmation of his account.

In the mean time, he'd like to know what position you hold to yourself. Can you provide a brief explanation of the position you mean to be taking on this?

- Laz

[Vinnie]

That the four gospels were not written by their traditional namesakes.

That all four should be seen as written by anonymous Christians and the only thing we know about the authors is what we can detect from the works themselves (aka author detectable by contents).

I feel the least strongly about Luke. GLuke is the only feasible option for traditional authorship so I will focus heavily on GMark as Mt and Lk are dependent upon it (Marcan priority). I will also show GJohn not to be written by the apostle John and I will show Luke not to be "indirect eyewitness testimony" whether or not Luke wrote Luke.

Apostles to Paul to Luke.

The author is irrelevant as this connection is far too simple whether it was Luke or whoever that wrote it.

My own questions:

Does your friend accept Marcan priority? Would make things easier but its not necessary. I can tackle that too if need be.

Also, is your friend at least familiar with some critical scholarship? I prefer an informed opponent (even one more informed than me!) so that we can have a good debate.

Vinnie

[Jim Lazarus]

heh - well, have you ever been to the #Apologetics room on Undernet? I don't think an "uninformed" person exists in there.

Yes, from our conversation, I've picked up that he's pretty aware of contemporary critical scholarship, and he seems pretty well educated. Of course, I'll let him vouch for his own competency, once his account is confirmed.

- Laz

[Vinnie]

heh - well, have you ever been to the #Apologetics room on Undernet? I don't think an "uninformed" person exists in there.

Yes, from our conversation, I've picked up that he's pretty aware of contemporary critical scholarship, and he seems pretty well educated. Of course, I'll let him vouch for his own competency, once his account is confirmed.

- Laz

I only ask because my last debate (on a different topic) here turned into me massacring someone who had half his posts end up in FSTDT. I think that was a rare occurence or even a FIRST for a formal debate to make it to FS. Then the person dropped 3rd round.

I just am skeptical from this past experience as to what "unknown" person I enter into discussion with formally as I will take seriously and put a lot of time and effort into my posts. So I ask a few preliminary questions.

Vinnie

[Jim Lazarus]

Heh - of course, that's entirely understandable.

I think it'll make for a good debate, if he accepts.

If it is, and you're interested in having it published on my website as well, let me know.

I also need a few extra authors for a biblical criticism department on the site. So if you're interested in that and feel you would be able to meet guidelines identical to those of the Secular Web, let me know, too.

- Laz

[Vinnie]

I guess I am now awaiting your friend.

I can't give you permission to post anyone elses comments on your site but I will be hosting mine on my site, and if my opponent agrees, theirs on my site as well.

If it helps reach a wider audience I don't mind if you include a transcript of my installments on your site as well.

Vinnie