The recently dead R.B. Hays was of the opinion that a school was necessary:More questions present themselves:
(1) What is the minimum definition of a "school"?
(2) What is the minimum required to consider a school "Pauline"? For example, if this "school" that was producing Pauline letters were neither Marcionite nor Valentinian but prior to both, would that qualify for describing it as a "Pauline" school?
With regard to Paul, the epistles bearing his name present a puzzle that in some ways is similar to that of the Johannine writings: a series of works seems to come from one person but those works sometimes shows such dissimilarities that it may be better, in some instances, to think of a school. Such, for instance, is the conclusion of P. Muller (1988) concerning 2 Thessalonians and Colossians. 6 This idea of Paul's association with some kind of school is reinforced by his use of the Old Testament. Analysis of Paul's use of the Scripture by scholars such as R.B. Hays (1989) and especially by D.A. Koch (1986) indicates that Paul engaged whole books and that he was in the presence of elaborate manuscripts. 7 Furthermore, recent research has begun to speak of Paul as someone surrounded by co-workers, and even co-writers.
(Thomas L. Brodie, Beyond the Quest for the Historical Jesus, p. 192, my bold)
6. Muller I 988, concerning 2 Thessalonians and Colossians.
7. Hays 1989: 14-21, esp. 16; Koch 1986: 92-104, 284
7. Hays 1989: 14-21, esp. 16; Koch 1986: 92-104, 284
There is more evidence that the Holy Grail was preserved by the kings of France than that the Paul's letters were preserved and collected by a "school of Paul".
The difference should be obvious: the kings of France existed really, while the "school of Paul" is only based on mere speculation.
Statistics: Posted by Giuseppe — Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:37 am