Saying Clement quoted from it like it was canonical is like saying Paul quoted Menander Thais like it was canonical in I Corinthians.
No it is not. If I get a chance, I can get some quotes for you, but let me just point out now that Clement considered the author to be the apostle Barnabas who was the apostle Paul's companion. I think he said it something like, "him who preached in company with Paul." In like manner, another church father, Jerome, says it was written by the apostle Barnabas. Jerome said something like, "Barnabas the Cypriot, ordained an apostle to the Gentiles along with Paul."
Slade wrote:
The word "hated" is a bad choice of words on my part. The term you used, "Spurious" is far better.
Ok, that does sound more accurate to me too.
Slade wrote:
However, just because Revelation was once considered spurious because of its apocalyptic nature or Hebrews because of the issue over authorship identification does not elevate Barnabas by any means. It's still non-canonical and (in my opinion) a terrible book.
I don't have any disagreement with you about it being non-canonical. I would disagree with you about it being a "terrible book."
Slade wrote:
It can be interesting to use the book to determine the mindset of some in the 2nd Century (the century of its writing),
Some scholars argue for a first century date. J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer date it between 70 to 79 A.D. They reference Weizsacker as also dating it within this range. Michael Holmes says it is impossible to say outside of the 70-132 range, but also references J.A.T. Robinson as someone who dates it in the 70-79 A.D. range in is book, "Redating the new Testament."
Slade wrote:
... but since it's impossible to have been written by Barnabas, it's basic premise (an epistle written by Barnabas the Apostle) is a lie.
What scholar says it is impossible to have been written by the Biblical Barnabas? Many say it seems unlikely to them, but that is not the same thing as "impossible." Perhaps you should reconsider. I think you are overstating the case here. I have a large degree of doubt that it was the Biblical Barnabas. I tend to go with the idea that it was another Barnabas, partly because within the text, he says, "for my part, not as a teacher but as one of you, I will point out a few things which will cheer you up in the present circumstances." The title does not say, "an epistle written by Barnabas the Apostle," but rather it is simply, "The epistle of Barnabas." My Greek text has, "Barnaba Epistoah" as the title. Please reconsider your position that its "basic premise is a lie."
Slade wrote:
You say it uphold Torah. It does not. It appears to uphold Torah, just like Judy and others who say Torah is dead still uphold a sense of righteousness apart from Torah.
I am not the only one who perceives his respect and study of the Torah. J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer write:
"The writer is an uncompromising antagonist of Judaism, but beyond this antagonism he has nothing in common with the Antijudaic heresies of the second century. Unlike Marcion, he postulates no opposition between the Old Testament and the New. On the contrary he see Christianity everywhere in the Lawgiver and the Prophets, and treat them with a degree of respect which would have satisfied the most devout rabbi. He quotes them profusely as authoritative."
Slade wrote:
The book's authorship is Gentile and of the Alexandrian mindset (90 - 150 CE) with the view of winning back, or guarding from a Judaic form of Christianity, those Christians belonging to the same class as himself.
I think you misunderstand his writing in the same way that some Messianics misunderstand Paul's writings and dismiss them as non-canonical.
Maxwell Staniforth wrote:
"... his style and his allegorical method of interpreting Scripture, suggest that, like Apollos, he was probably 'a learned Jew of Alexandria' who had been converted to Christianity."
I find myself in agreement with Staniforth on this. Barnabas's knowledge and grasp of the Torah makes me think him more likely to have been a Jew rather than a Gentile.
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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